Exuctive Director

The European Commission has decided, further to a decision of the Management Board of the European Environment Agency on 15 March 2002, to invite applications to the post of:

Executive Director of the European Environment Agency

The Agency, a European Union institution established through Council Regulation 1210/90 (as amended by Council Regulation 933/99), is located in Copenhagen.

The Agency: Since its establishment in 1994, the Agency has become the main source of information that the European Union and its Member States use in developing environment policies. As such, the Agency has a key role in helping Europe to develop sustainably. The successful applicant will have to demonstrate the ability and leadership necessary to ensure the Agency fulfils its strategic role. The Agency is supported by an environmental information and observation network with components in the EU, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway. Enlargement with 13 new members is the immediate challenge for the new Director. The website of the Agency (www.eea.eu.int) provides more information.

Job description: The Executive Director is the legal representative of the Agency and the face of the Agency in the outside world. He or she is accountable to the Management Board. Particular responsibilities include:

• Working with the Management Board to develop and achieve the Agency's strategic objectives in the environmental field;
• day-to-day management of the Agency's 80-plus staff and its annual budget of around 28 million €;
• the preparation and dissemination of environmental information;
• the preparation of the multi-annual and annual work programmes.

Appointment: The Management Board of the Agency will appoint the successful applicant on a proposal from the European Commission. Conditions of Employment: The Executive Director will be appointed as member of the temporary staff pursuant Article 2 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities. The appointment will be at A.2 level, for a 5-year term, renewable.

• The determination and leadership to fulfil the mandate of the Agency.
• The ability to communicate with stakeholders and to build close working relations.
• Proven capacity to lead an organisation, both at a strategic and internal management level.
• At least fifteen years of professional experience (following the award of the university degree or equivalent) in a field relevant to the mission of the Agency, at least five years of which must have been acquired at management level;
• Thorough knowledge of at least one of the official languages of the European Union, and a sufficient level in another. Good English would be an asset.
• University degree or equivalent giving entitlement to undertake postgraduate studies.
• The candidate should be born after 01.01.1943.
• A good understanding of the EU institutions, EU environment policy, relevant international developments and other policies relevant to the activities of the Agency.

Nationality: one of the member countries of the Agency, including those that are currently in the process of ratification of membership, provided ratification has taken place by the time the Agency Management Board appoints the chosen applicant (this applies to Poland and Turkey). Applicants who responded to the last call for applications (published on 20 July 2001 in the Official Journal of the EU) are reminded that this procedure has been closed. If they are still interested in this position they MUST submit a new application within the stated deadline and include all relevant documentation. In order for any application to be considered valid, interested persons are requested to send a letter of motivation, a completed application form and a free format CV of maximum 3 pages to the address below, by registered post, on 26 July 2002 (date of postmark) at the latest.

European Commission
Directorate General for Personnel and Administration
Unit Admin.A.5
Executive Director of the EEA
Office MO 34 5/105
B-1049 Brussels

Application form