Project Assistant
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is organising a selection procedure in order to constitute a reserve list for a Project Assistant (function group FGIII), from which to fill a vacant post in the Justice, Digital and Migration Unit.
Background
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) provides independent, evidence-based advice to policy-makers, to help ensure full respect for fundamental rights across the EU, for everyone. To this end, the Agency collects and analyses information and data on a range of fundamental rights issues, provides assistance and expertise to EU Institutions and to EU Member States’ governments, raises rights awareness, communicates its findings and strengthens cooperation and ties between fundamental rights actors.
The Justice, Digital and Migration Unit
The Justice, Digital and Migration Unit’s work is divided thematically into projects and related activities across three Sectors: (1) Justice and Security, (2) Data and Digital, and (3) Migration and Asylum. The Unit’s work consists of socio-legal research and activities across these three themes, which includes desk research and in-depth qualitative fieldwork. The Unit is also responsible for some of the Agency’s large-scale quantitative surveys – namely on violence against women and antisemitism.
The Unit undertakes targeted capacity building in specific areas that builds on the Agency’s research results and in-house expertise. In the course of developing, carrying out and disseminating the Unit’s work – and to ensure its relevance to law and policy – staff engage closely with other EU Agencies and different EU institutions, and seek input from experts and representatives from various international and national organisations in specific fields.
Duties
The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following tasks:
Project and process management:
- Contribute to project development, organisation, planning of schedules, tasks and priorities, review of project deliverables and ensure project implementation;
- Implement project activities within fixed criteria and planning;
- Track activities against the plan and provide status reports;
- Provide support and written input to drafting and updating comprehensive reports, focus papers, handbooks and/or briefings, including input to FRA’s databases;
- Disseminate the outputs of the project/s through various means and channels available, such as presentations, articles, conference papers, workshops, seminars, publications, conferences social media, etc;
- Maintain contacts with partners and stakeholders, including specialists in specific fields.
Budget, Finance and Contracts:
- Take part in contract management under the authority of the responsible superior, including review of contractual deliverables and provision of feedback;
- Assist the unit with respect to financial, budgetary and contractual rules, procedures and deadlines (including call for tenders for projects and related activities);
- Support the launching, managing and monitoring of calls for proposals/tenders, evaluation and selection of projects;
- Assist the unit on budget monitoring and reporting.
Duties applicable to all staff:
- Actively work towards the achievement of the goals of FRA in accordance with the Strategic Plan;
- Perform any other work-related duties assigned by the manager.
Eligibility requirements
Candidates who do not meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria by the deadline for submission of applications will be marked ineligible and their application will not be considered further:
General conditions[1]
- Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and be entitled to full rights as a citizen[2] ;
- Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws concerning military service;
- Meet the character requirements as to suitability for the performance of the duties involved;
- Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post[3].
Qualifications[4]
- a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma, or
- a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least four years of professional experience acquired in positions related to the profile of the post.
Language skills
- Have a thorough knowledge (level C1) of English, as this is the working language of FRA, and
- Have a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of another language of the EU.
The levels indicated correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages[5].
[1] See Article 12 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.
[2] Prior to appointment, successful applicants will be required to prove that they do not have any criminal record.
[3] Before being engaged, successful applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination.
[4] Only diplomas and certificates that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by authorities in the Member States shall be taken into consideration. Any certificate of equivalence should be obtained by the deadline for applications.
[5] See https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/sites/default/files/cefr-en.pdf
Selection criteria
In order to select the best-qualified candidates for interview and possible test phase, the Agency will consider the following essential criteria:
- Professional project management experience of at least 1 year;
- Proven ability in drafting high quality analytical papers in English;
- Proven experience in undertaking qualitative and/or quantitative research;
- Experience in budget monitoring and reporting;
- Extensive practical experience with computer applications such as MS Office package or similar (mainly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
The following criteria will be considered as advantageous:
- Knowledge of European and international human rights law and policy;
- Experience in engaging with external stakeholders;
- Experience of undertaking or supporting work in fields relating to artificial intelligence, digitalisation, data protection, criminal justice or law enforcement/security.
In addition to the essential and advantageous criteria, candidates invited to the interview and test phase will also be assessed against the following requirements:
- Communication: communicate clearly and precisely both orally and in writing;
- Analysis and Problem-solving: ability to identify the critical facts in complex issues and develop creative and practical solutions;
- Working with Others: work cooperatively with others in teams and across organisational boundaries and respect differences between people; create a sense of team spirit by encouraging shared goals and exchange of knowledge and experience;
- Learning and Development: develop and improve personal skills and knowledge of the organisation and its environment; commit to train others, share knowledge, and systematically improve working methods;
- Prioritisation and Organisation: ability to prioritise the most important tasks, work flexibly and organise own and others’ workload efficiently;
- Quality and Results: take personal responsibility and initiative for delivering work to a high standard quality within set procedures; show clear customer orientation (internal and external); build systematic and methodical processes into projects and work of self and own team;
- Resilience: remain effective under work pressure, be flexible and adapt to a changing work environment; encourage others to do the same and adjust own and team’s approach to embrace changing circumstances.
Selection criteria
In order to select the best-qualified candidates for interview and possible test phase, the Agency will consider the following essential criteria:
- Professional project management experience of at least 1 year;
- Proven ability in drafting high quality analytical papers in English;
- Proven experience in undertaking qualitative and/or quantitative research;
- Experience in budget monitoring and reporting;
- Extensive practical experience with computer applications such as MS Office package or similar (mainly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
The following criteria will be considered as advantageous:
- Knowledge of European and international human rights law and policy;
- Experience in engaging with external stakeholders;
- Experience of undertaking or supporting work in fields relating to artificial intelligence, digitalisation, data protection, criminal justice or law enforcement/security.
In addition to the essential and advantageous criteria, candidates invited to the interview and test phase will also be assessed against the following requirements:
- Communication: communicate clearly and precisely both orally and in writing;
- Analysis and Problem-solving: ability to identify the critical facts in complex issues and develop creative and practical solutions;
- Working with Others: work cooperatively with others in teams and across organisational boundaries and respect differences between people; create a sense of team spirit by encouraging shared goals and exchange of knowledge and experience;
- Learning and Development: develop and improve personal skills and knowledge of the organisation and its environment; commit to train others, share knowledge, and systematically improve working methods;
- Prioritisation and Organisation: ability to prioritise the most important tasks, work flexibly and organise own and others’ workload efficiently;
- Quality and Results: take personal responsibility and initiative for delivering work to a high standard quality within set procedures; show clear customer orientation (internal and external); build systematic and methodical processes into projects and work of self and own team;
- Resilience: remain effective under work pressure, be flexible and adapt to a changing work environment; encourage others to do the same and adjust own and team’s approach to embrace changing circumstances.
Engagement and conditions of employment
A contract of employment will be offered as a member of the contract staff pursuant to Article 3(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union for a fixed period of 2 years. The contract may be renewed.
The successful candidate will be recruited in Function Group III. The grade (8, 9 or 10) will be determined in accordance with the number of years of experience of the successful candidate (i.e. professional experience of up to 5 years for grade 8; professional experience of more than 5 years for grade 9 and professional experience of more than 15 years for grade 10). The basic salary for grades 8, 9 and 10 are respectively € 3.028,92, € 3.427,03 and € 3.877,46.
In addition to the basic salary, staff members may be entitled to various allowances, in particular a household allowance, expatriation allowance (16% of basic salary + household allowance), dependent child allowance and education allowance. The salary is subject to a Union tax deducted at source and it is exempt from national taxation.
FRA also offers a comprehensive welfare package including pension scheme, medical, accident and occupational disease insurance coverage, unemployment and invalidity allowance and travel insurance.
Moreover, FRA offers different opportunities of schooling services through service level agreements with international schools and pre-school establishments, and has introduced policies on teleworking and flexitime to reconcile work and private life.
Under certain circumstances, in particular where staff members are obliged to change their place of residence in order to take up employment, the Agency may also reimburse various expenses incurred upon recruitment, notably removal expenses.
Additional information on Contract Agents can be obtained from the web site of the European Commission
For any further information on the contractual and working conditions please refer to the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of other Servants of the European Union.
Submission of applications and deadline
Candidates are requested to submit their application electronically through the Agency’s website: fra.europa.eu. Only online completed applications via the e-recruitment system will be accepted.
Applications must be sent no later than 31/03/2023 13:00 (CET).
Information concerning the status of the selection procedure can be found at on our website.
In case you experience technical problems during your application please contact recruitment@fra.europa.eu within the above mentioned deadline, providing an explanation of the issue:
Please note that due to the large number of applications we receive, the system may face problems in processing such amounts of data when reaching the deadline for submission of applications. We therefore advise to apply well ahead of the deadline.
Selection procedure
A Selection Committee is nominated by the Appointing Authority of the Agency.
Eligibility of candidates will be assessed according to compliance with all formal requirements by the closing date for the submission of applications (see “Eligibility criteria”).
Only the applications of eligible candidates will be evaluated in accordance with the selection criteria as specified in the publication notice. The Agency will invite for an interview the top candidates among those who have obtained at least 60%.
The selection procedure will be composed of an interview and a written test, which will be held in English. They will take place either in Vienna (Austria), where the Agency has its seat, or online.
Shortlisted candidates may be requested to submit a non-certified copy of their diploma(s) and evidence of their professional experience, clearly indicating the length and nature of their experience and whether full time or part time work.
Following a proposal by the Selection Committee, the Appointing Authority will decide on the establishment of a reserve list, which will be valid from the date of its establishment (in year ‘N’) until 31 December of year ‘N+1’. Its validity may be extended. The reserve list may be used for future recruitment, should vacancies arise. Candidates should note that inclusion on a reserve list does not guarantee recruitment.
On the basis of the adopted reserve list, the Appointing Authority of FRA may offer a contract of engagement.
Please note that the Selection Committee’s work and deliberations are strictly confidential and that any contact with its members is strictly forbidden.
Equal opportunities
FRA is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that its recruitment procedures do not discriminate on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation.
FRA encourages candidates with disabilities to apply. If you consider yourself to have a physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disability, please indicate any adjustments or arrangements needed, relating to your disability, to recruitment@fra.europa.eu, so FRA can ensure your full and equal participation in the interview.
Data protection
Personal data shall be processed solely for the purpose of the selection procedure.
Please note that FRA will not return applications to candidates. The personal information FRA requests from applicants will be processed in line with 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. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.
Should the candidate have any query concerning the processing of their personal data, they should address them to recruitment@fra.europa.eu.
For further information with regard to the processing of personal data, please see FRA’s Privacy Statement.
Appeal procedures
If a candidate considers that they have been adversely affected by a particular decision, they can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials and Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Union to recruitment@fra.europa.eu
The complaint must be lodged within 3 months of the contested decision.
Should the complaint be rejected, pursuant to Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, a candidate may request judicial review of the act. The appeal must be lodged within 3 months from the date of notification to:
Court of Justice of the European Union
Rue du Fort Niedergrünewald
L-2925 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
It is also possible to lodge a complaint to the European Ombudsman pursuant to Article 228(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in accordance with the statute of the Ombudsman and the implementing provisions adopted by the Ombudsman. Before the Ombudsman can accept a complaint, it is necessary that the complaint is first addressed to the Agency. Any complaint to the Ombudsman must be made within two years of receiving the Agency’s final position on the matter.