Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT)

Publication of a vacancy for the function of Director for DIGIT.S (Grade AD 14)

(Article 29(2) of the Staff Regulations)

COM/2021/10410

(2021/C 509 A/01)

 

We are

The Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT) is the department responsible for providing digital services that support the European Commission (EC) and other EU Institutions, bodies and agencies, in their daily administrative and policy-related activities. It also drives the digital transformation of the European Commission in line with the Digital Strategy. DIGIT also supports public administrations across EU member states in their digital transformation journey, pursuing common interoperability rules and principles.

In close cooperation with the EC’s corporate IT governance structures, DIGIT continuously evolves and implements a modern and dynamic corporate digital vision and strategy in support of the Commission's overall priorities.

The cyber-security capacity of the Commission has been developing rapidly since the establishment of Directorate S (‘IT Security’) in 2016 and the adoption of an updated IT security policy in 2017. In close collaboration with the Security Directorate of DG Human Resources and Security and the Computer Emergency Response Team for the EU Institutions, bodies and agencies (CERT-EU), DIGIT’s Directorate S is responsible for establishing and maintaining an information technology security programme to ensure that the Commission’s systems, data and business continuity are adequately protected against cyber threats and attacks. The Directorate’s activities include the definition and implementation of internal IT cyber-security policies, rules and standards as well as the operation of vulnerability and incident detection and response activities.

We propose

Within DIGIT, the Director of DIGIT S is responsible for the overall strategic orientation and management of the Directorate and, in particular, for the improvement of the Commission’s cyber-security posture and maturity, looking within the framework set by the Director-General's mission statement and annual work programme. As part of the Senior Management Team of DIGIT and in close cooperation with DIGIT’s other directors, the Director of DIGIT S contributes to the evolution and implementation of the overall DIGIT strategies and operations as well as of the Digital Strategy of the Commission.

One unit in the DIGIT S supports the IT security governance bodies in matters related to IT security policy and standards, IT risk management across the Commission, security assurance and cyber awareness. It also coordinates the network of the Local Information Security Officers in the Directorates-General and services.

The second unit is responsible for the Commission’s IT security monitoring, incident detection and response to cyber-attacks against corporate and outsourced (i.e. cloud) IT networks and systems.

The Director actively engages in inter-institutional initiatives and in this context is chair of an interservice cyber-security group, liaises and cooperates with CERT-EU and the Security Directorate in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Human Resources. The Director sits as one of the two Commission representatives on the Management Board of ENISA, the Agency of the European Union for Cyber-security.

The Director also represents DIGIT and its Director-General in external and internal events and is the external face of the Commission’s operational activities in the area of cyber-security

The Director is based in Brussels, whereas the two units in the Directorate have staff both in Luxembourg and in Brussels.

We look for (selection criteria)

Candidates should fulfil the following selection criteria:

Management skills

—	Proven experience in effective planning and management of human resources (large multinational, multilingual and multicultural teams) and budgets (in particular, understanding standard cost models and mechanisms of cost distribution, reporting and accountability);

—	leadership and ability to inspire, direct and motivate a large, constantly changing team of highly competent IT and administrative professionals; excellent management skills and ability to lead a service-oriented organisation in a multicultural environment;

—	proven background and practical experience running large IT security projects;

—	the capacity to develop and maintain excellent relationships with other services in the Commission, with other EU Institutions, bodies and agencies and to formulate and follow-up on the implementation of IT security policies with a multitude of stakeholders;

—	proven experience in addressing the challenges caused by new ways of working, both from an organisational perspective and from its implications for IT infrastructure and evolving attack surfaces exposed to cyber threats.

Specialist skills and experience

—	Proven understanding and ability to address the challenges facing large organisations during a digital transformation process; experience in ensuring streamlining of processes and securing corporate information systems and networks against cyber-attacks;

—	the know-how to set the technological and service strategy of the Directorate and to guide procurement actions in a cost efficient way in close cooperation with other directorates and Commission departments;

—	good understanding of the Commission’s policies and strategic goals as well as its decision-making process; ability to identify action plans, in particular from an IT and cyber-security perspective;

—	experience in EU-level cyber-security policy formulation and implementation would be an additional asset;

—	relevant qualifications in IT and related fields such as security, risk management, audit, etc. would be an additional asset.

Personal qualities

—	Strong communication and inter-personal skills; a cooperative and can-do approach to achieving the directorate’s mission in close cooperation with other directors in DIGIT;

—	ability to communicate efficiently with internal and external stakeholders;

—	an acute sense of confidentiality and diplomacy;

—	excellent analytical skills, capacity to identify key points, develop and generate strategic goals and translate them into practical proposals for action.

Candidates must (eligibility requirements)

Candidates will only be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following formal requirements to be fulfilled by the deadline for applications:

—	Nationality: candidates must be a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union.

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University degree or diploma: candidates must have: — either a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is 4 years or more; — or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least 1 year when the normal period of university education is at least 3 years (this 1 year's professional experience cannot be included in the postgraduate professional experience required below).

—	Professional experience: candidates must have at least 15 years postgraduate professional experience (1) at a level to which the qualifications referred to above give admission. At least 5 years of that professional experience must be in a field relevant for this position.

—	Management experience: at least 5 years of the post-graduate professional experience must have been gained in a high–level management function (2).

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Languages: candidates must have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Union (3) and a satisfactory knowledge of another of these official languages. Selection panels will verify during the interview(s) whether candidates comply with the requirement of a satisfactory knowledge of another official EU language. This may include (part of) the interview being conducted in this other language.

—	Age limit: candidates must not have reached regular retirement age, which for officials of the European Union is defined as being the end of the month in which the person reaches the age of 66 years (see Article 52(a) of the Staff Regulations (4)).

Selection and appointment

The selection and appointment will be conducted according to the European Commission’s selection and recruitment procedures (see: Document on Senior Officials Policy (5)).

As part of this selection procedure, the European Commission sets up a pre-selection panel. This panel analyses all applications, proceeds with a first eligibility verification and identifies candidates having the best profile in view of the selection criteria mentioned above, and who may be invited for an interview with the pre-selection panel.

Following these interviews, the pre-selection panel draws up its conclusions and proposes a list of candidates for further interviews with the European Commission's Consultative Committee on Appointments (CCA). The CCA, taking into consideration the conclusions of the pre-selection panel, will decide on the candidates to be invited for an interview.

Candidates who are called for an interview with the CCA participate in a full-day management assessment centre run by external recruitment consultants. Taking account of the results of the interview and the report of the assessment centre, the CCA establishes a shortlist of candidates it considers suitable for the function.

Candidates on the CCA shortlist will be interviewed by the relevant Member(s) of the Commission.

Following these interviews, the European Commission takes the appointment decision.

The selected candidate must have fulfilled any obligations imposed by law concerning military service, produce appropriate character references as to their suitability for the performance of their duties and be physically fit to perform their duties.

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid security clearance certificate from his/her national security authority. A personal security clearance is an administrative decision following completion of a security screening conducted by the individual's competent national security authority in accordance with applicable national security laws and regulations, and certifying that an individual may be allowed to access classified information up to a specified level. (Note that the necessary procedure for obtaining a security clearance can be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate).

Until the personal security clearance has been granted by the Member State concerned and the clearance procedure completed with the legally required briefing from the European Commission’s Security Directorate, the candidate will not be able to access EU Classified Information (EUCI) at the level of CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or above, nor attend any meetings at which such EUCI is discussed.

Equal opportunities

In accordance with Article 1d of the Staff Regulations, the European Commission pursues a strategic objective of achieving gender equality at all management levels by the end of its current mandate and applies an equal opportunities policy encouraging applications that could contribute towards more diversity, gender equality and overall geographical balance.

Conditions of employment

The salaries and conditions of employment are laid down in the Staff Regulations.

The selected candidate will be recruited as an official at grade AD 14. He/she will be classified depending on the length of his / her previous professional experience in step 1 or step 2 within that grade.

The selected candidate should note the requirement under the Staff Regulations for all new staff to complete successfully a 9-month probationary period.

The place of employment is Brussels, where the Directorate S of DG DIGIT is based.

The post is available from 1 August 2022.

Independence and declaration of interests

Before taking up his/her duties, the selected candidate will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to declare any interests, which might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

Application procedure

Before submitting your application, you should carefully check whether you meet all eligibility requirements (‘Candidates must’), particularly concerning the types of diploma, high-level professional experience as well as linguistic capacity required. Failure to meet any of the eligibility requirements means an automatic exclusion from the selection procedure.

If you want to apply, you must register via the Internet on the following website and follow the instructions concerning the various stages of the procedure:

https://ec.europa.eu/dgs/human-resources/seniormanagementvacancies/

You must have a valid email address. This will be used to confirm your registration as well as to remain in contact with you during the different stages of the procedure. Therefore, please keep the European Commission informed about any change in your email address.

To complete your application, you need to upload a CV in PDF format, preferably using the Europass CV format (6), and to fill out, online, a letter of motivation (maximum 8 000 characters). Your CV and your letter of motivation may be submitted in any of the official languages of the European Union.

Once you have finished your online registration, you will receive an electronic mail confirming that your application has been registered. If you do not receive a confirmation mail, your application has not been registered!

Please note that it is not possible to monitor the progress of your application on-line. You will be contacted directly by the European Commission regarding the status of your application.

If you require more information and/or encounter technical problems, please send an email to:

HR-MANAGEMENT-ONLINE@ec.europa.eu

Closing date

The closing date for registration is 25 January 2022, 12.00 noon Brussels time, following which registration is no longer possible.

It is your responsibility to complete your online registration in time. We strongly advise you not to wait until the last few days before applying, since heavy internet traffic or a fault with your internet connection could lead to the online registration being terminated before you complete it, thereby obliging you to repeat the whole process. Once the deadline for the submission of registrations has passed, you will no longer be able to introduce any data. Late registrations are not accepted.

Important information for candidates

Candidates are reminded that the work of the selection panels is confidential. It is forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with their individual members or for anybody to do so on their behalf. Any query has to be addressed to the secretariat of the respective panel.

Protection of personal data

The Commission will ensure that candidates' personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7). This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.

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(1)  Professional experience is only taken into consideration if it represents an actual work relationship defined as real, genuine work, on a paid basis and as employee (any type of contract) or provider of a service. Professional activities pursued part-time shall be calculated pro rata, on the basis of the certified percentage of full-time hours worked. Maternity leave / parental leave / leave for adoption is taken into consideration if it is in the framework of a work contract. PhDs are assimilated to professional experience, even when unpaid, but for a duration of 3 years maximum, provided that the PhD has been successfully completed. A given period may be counted only once.

(2)  In their curriculum vitae, candidates should clearly indicate for all years during which management experience has been acquired: (1) title and role of management positions held; (2) numbers of staff overseen in these positions; (3) the size of budgets managed; (4) numbers of hierarchical layers above and below; and (5) number of peers.

(3)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01958R0001-20130701

(4)  https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A01962R0031-20140701

(5)  https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/compilation-of-the-senior-official-policy-at-the-european-commission_en.pdf (only exists in English).

(6)  You can find information on how to create your Europass CV online at: https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv

(7)  Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).