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  • Function title: Head of Central Secretariat
  • Reference: NOC-DG-2022-AD/423
  • Location: Brussels - Information about living in Brussels
  • Nature of competition: Internal and external competition
  • Applicable regulations: Staff regulations governing officials of the EUROCONTROL Agency
  • Grades for publication: AD11-12-13 - Check salary simulations for the basic grade
  • Type of post: Head of Unit or equivalent (AD9-AD13 )
  • Number of posts: 1
  • Duration of appointment: 5 Year (s)
  • Security clearance: Personal Security Clearance may be required in accordance with the relevant ECTL security policies.
  • Directorate/Service: DG/SEC - Central Secretariat
  • Competition publication date: 10/03/2022
  • Competition closing date: 07/04/2022 (23:59 Brussels time)
  • Reserve list: Applicable - See details in the "Useful information" section

Your team

Within the Office of the Director General , the "Central Secretariat" service provides the Secretariat to EUROCONTROL’s governing bodies, their subordinate groups and some of the consultation and advisory groups, as well as advisory bodies to the Director General. In addition, the Central Secretariat provides translation of documents from and into any of the official Agency languages, proofreading, interpretation and the provision of assistance to internal and external translators, interpreters and stakeholders in general for their specific terminological queries.

Your role

Your role will be to:

  • Develop and implement the (strategic) objectives of the Central Secretariat and manage its range of activities, resources (budget and personnel) including resource planning/allocation, performance management and staff development to ensure availability of competencies and continuity of business.
  • Monitor the quality of services offered and propose solutions to rationalise processes, tools and activities in order to increase the (cost) effectiveness of the service while still meeting current and future demands of stakeholders.
  • Act as or closely supervise the Secretary to high-level bodies, in particular to the Provisional Council/Permanent Commission (PC/CN).
  • Ensure internal and external coordination with Agency Directorates and stakeholders to facilitate consultation processes and decision-making of the bodies supported.
  • Coordinate and follow-up on the implementation of decisions taken by the various bodies with Agency services.
  • Provide conference secretariat expertise, assistance and advice to chairpersons and members of the various bodies in particular regarding group mandates and meeting procedures.
  • Ensure the provision of translation of documents from and into any of the official Agency languages by the translation team including proofreading, interpretation and the provision of assistance to internal and external translators, interpreters and stakeholders in general for their specific terminological queries.
  • Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

  • Completed university studies of four years or of three years with at least one year of working experience. 
  • Internal candidates should check on the intranet to see what level of in-house experience is considered equivalent to educational qualifications where appropriate.
  • A minimum of 15 years’ professional experience including 10 years in management or strategic activities, preferably in an international environment.
  • Experience as Secretary to a high-level international organisation / multinational business is essential.
  • Experience in (internal/external) relationship management at senior management level.
  • Experience in leading diverse teams.
  • Proficiency in drafting complex documents in English with attention to nuance and detail.
  • Political awareness.
  • Understanding of the Agency’s strategic activities.
  • Organisational Awareness: Understands influences and operates effectively in a broader context.
  • Communication: Adapts communication to different situations and audiences.
  • Analytical Thinking: Applies methodical approach to complex information.
  • Managing People: Encourages development as support to business objectives.
  • Customer Focus: Develops and implements service excellence concepts.
  • Diplomatic skills, high integrity.
  • Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
  • Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result-driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team-player approach.
  • The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C2 and, at least, independent users of French at level B2.
    The levels relate to the Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).

Useful information

  • Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only.
  • Duration of appointment: This is an appointment for a fixed term of 5 Year s in accordance with Article 3.1 of Annex Xb to the Staff Regulations (the immediate superior of the appointee is the Director General). The appointment may be renewed in line with the provisions of the same Article.
  • Internal candidates
    If selected, the person will keep their current type of appointment duration (undetermined or determined).
  • The successful candidate shall be appointed at the grade in the function group and to the type of post indicated in the vacancy notice, or, if a group of grades has been published, in principle at the basic grade.
  • In case of reserve list: Suitable candidates, however not selected to fill the post, will be placed on a reserve list for similar functions. The period of validity of reserve list is 1 year from the closing date of applications.
  • Information on salary and benefits can be found on the web page: https://www.eurocontrol.int/careers
  • EUROCONTROL is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities. In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under-represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce.
  • Candidates should read the tips on how to apply.