16.2.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CA 39/1

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NOTICE OF OPEN COMPETITION: HEAD OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

REFERENCE: EF 04/11

(2005/C 39 A/01)

The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in Dublin is an autonomous body established by a regulation of the Council of Ministers of the European Communities. The European Foundation is organising an open competition to fill a vacancy and to form a reserve list for the recruitment of a:

HEAD OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (male or female)

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

Candidates are asked to give careful attention to this notice of competition and to use only the official application form:

I.   DUTIES

The Head of Information and Communication Technology (Head of ICT) will advise the Director in the development of the ICT capability of the Foundation and report directly to the Director of the Foundation who has overall responsibility for decisions on Foundation strategy. The post holder will lead a team of ICT professionals and will play a key role in ensuring that the ICT strategy and infrastructure are geared to supporting the efficiency and effectiveness of the Foundation.

This key post has both a technical and a service profile. On the technical side the post holder will be responsible for ensuring that an appropriate ICT infrastructure is in place, in conjunction with provision of advice on applications software that will meet user needs, contribute to the effectiveness of the organisation and add value to Foundation's activities. On the service side there will be an emphasis on providing effective information systems and on customer support.

The post holder will be responsible for:

—	developing and implementing a medium and long-term strategy for an infrastructure and service that is aligned with the business needs of the Foundation,

—	working in close cooperation with the administration, research and information areas within the Foundation,

—	providing management information as necessary,

—	managing in-house information systems, infrastructure and web development projects,

—	supporting and educating IT users, through provision of necessary knowledge and skills,

—	managing the outsourcing of ICT solutions, where appropriate,

—	responsibility for the ICT budget,

—	undertaking such other duties and responsibilities as may be directed,

—	the successful candidate will be expected to establish and maintain effective working relationships with counterparts in the European Commission in the Member States and other institutions.

II.   CONDITIONS FOR ADMISSION

The competition is open to candidates who, by the closing date for applications, fulfil the following conditions:

A.   GENERAL CONDITIONS

—	You must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union,

—	you must be entitled to your full rights as a citizen,

—	you must have fulfilled any obligations imposed on you by the laws concerning military service,

—	you must be able to produce character references as to suitability for performance of the duties specified.

B.   SPECIAL CONDITIONS

1.   Qualifications and professional experience required:

—	university degree or equivalent qualification, relevant to the post,

—	minimum 12 years' postgraduate experience of which at least five years should have been in management at a high level in the field of information and communication technology, with a proven record of success in the area of policy development and implementation,

—	up-to-date experience and technical knowledge of hardware and software,

—	advanced interpersonal and presentation skills.

2.   Knowledge of languages

You must have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union (Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish) and a satisfactory knowledge of at least one other official language of the European Union, including a satisfactory knowledge of English. Knowledge of additional official languages of the European Union is desirable.

You must be able to prove that you meet the conditions for admission by means of appropriate documents (copies of diplomas, certificates from university authorities and employers, etc.).

As the successful candidate, in addition to meeting the above requirements, you will be expected to keep up-to-date with latest developments in technology and applications. You will adopt a strategic and innovative approach to work and problem-solving, identifying and analysing the key elements of an issue quickly in order to work towards an appropriate outcome. You will demonstrate strong leadership skills, including strategic vision, coaching and decision-making ability. You will demonstrate an ability to manage work and projects in a planned and structured way. You will have a strong customer service and quality orientation. You will have strong influencing skills and be able to communicate ideas, thoughts and concepts clearly and with ease, both verbally and in writing, to colleagues, the Foundation stakeholders and other audiences. You will demonstrate professionalism, good teamworking skills and flexibility with regard to your approach to work and to dealing with people.

III.   ORGANISATION OF THE COMPETITION

The competition will be based on examination of application forms followed by testing and interviewing of shortlisted candidates.

A.   Examination of Applications

1.

A list of candidates who have submitted their applications (using the official application form and by the closing date required — see Section V) and who fulfil the general conditions set out in Section II A, will be drawn up. The list and the application forms will be forwarded to the Selection Committee. To assist in the administration of applications, candidates are requested to submit a curriculum vitae in English, together with their application.

2.

The Selection Committee will examine the applications and draw up a list of candidates who fulfil the special conditions set out in Section II B. It will base its decision exclusively on the information given on the application form and backed up by supporting documents. Candidates who do not fulfil the requisite conditions for admission under Section II or who have not provided relevant documentary evidence in support of their claims by the closing date will be eliminated at this stage. A curriculum vitae will not be regarded as a supporting document. The most suitable candidates will be invited to tests and interview(s) with the Selection Committee.

3.	Information to candidates: At the end of each stage candidates will receive a personal letter informing them of the decisions taken in their case.

B.   Reserve List

A reserve list of suitable candidates will be drawn up by the Foundation.

The list can be used as a reserve for recruitment should additional vacancies arise. It will be valid for up to two years from the closing date for this competition and may be extended. Successful candidates will be duly informed of any extension.

IV.   CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Category and grade:

The successful candidate will be recruited to grade A5 (A*9).

Place of employment:

Dublin, Ireland. Residence within reasonable distance of the Foundation's offices will be required.

Remuneration:

The initial basic monthly salary will be according to Grade A5, step 1, to A5, step 3 of the salary table under Article 66 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities, depending on the candidate's training and professional experience, or to Grade A*9 in accordance with the revised provisions set out in the amended Communities' Staff Regulations, as appropriate  (1). It will, where appropriate, be increased by the allowances set out in the relevant Staff Regulations.

Remuneration is subject to Community tax and other deductions laid down in the Staff Regulations. It is, however, exempt from any national taxation.

The salary is subject to the Irish weighting factor which is currently 122,3 %.

V.   APPLICATIONS

Candidates must use the official application form contained in this issue of the Official Journal or as downloaded from the Foundation's website: www.eurofound.eu.int. It must be completed, signed and posted, together with the curriculum vitae in English and photocopies of any supporting documents (diplomas, employment certificates or any other documents to support claims made on the application form), preferably by registered post not later than 30 March 2005, as attested by the postmark, to:

Ms Aoife Caomhánach

Secretary to Selection Committee

(Reference EF 04/11)

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living

and Working Conditions

Wyattville Road

Loughlinstown

Dublin 18

Ireland

E-mail: recruit@eurofound.eu.int

Fax (353-1) 282 25 30

VI.   IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

—	Candidates must use the official application form as contained in this notice,

—	the application form should be completed in English,

—	in preparing their applications, candidates may in no event refer to documents, applications or other forms submitted in connection with previous applications,

—	successful candidates who receive an offer of employment will be required to produce the originals of their diplomas, academic qualifications or employment certificates,

—	supporting documents will not be returned to candidates,

—	candidates are asked to report any change of address in writing without delay, mentioning the competition number,

—

candidates are reminded that the Selection Committee's work and deliberations are confidential. It is forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with the Selection Committee or for anybody to do so on their behalf. All enquiries or requests for information or documentation in relation to the competition should be addressed to the Secretary to the Selection Committee, Aoife Caomhánach (e-mail: recruit@eurofound.eu.int).

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(1)  The Council of Ministers is considering a proposal to change the staff status of the European Foundation. It is likely that this proposal will be approved, in which case, this post will be filled at grade A*9, if the appointment takes place after the transition to the Communities' Staff Regulations.

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