Communications Officer

Vacancy details

Temporary Agent EUSPA/2021/AD/033
AD5 Prague / Czech Republic
16.11.2021 11:59 AM (GMT+2)
5 yes
2022 31.12.2022
Communications Head of Communications
CONFIDENTIEL UE / EU CONFIDENTIAL

[1] The place of employment is subject to changes in the interest of the service and always under due consideration of the Staff Member’s interests.

[2] Possibility of renewal for a fixed period and a further renewal for an indefinite period on the conditions set out in the Staff Regulations and in the Conditions of Employment for Other Servants

[3] The organisational department and the hierarchical reporting line may change in line with the developments of the EUSPA and department’s organisation.

[4] The successful candidate must hold a valid personnel security clearance at the level defined above or be able and willing to apply for it immediately after the contract signature. The procedure for obtaining a personnel security clearance shall be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate. Description of the EU classified information levels is available here.

1. EUSPA AND COMMUNICATIONS

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, promotes the commercialization of Galileo, EGNOS, and Copernicus data and services and coordinates the EU’s forthcoming governmental satellite communications programme GOVSATCOM. EUSPA is responsible for the security accreditation of all the EU Space Programme components. By fostering the development of an innovative and competitive space sector and engaging with the entire EU Space community, EUSPA contributes to the European Green Deal and digital transition, the safety and security of the Union and its citizens, while reinforcing its autonomy and resilience.

The EUSPA Communications team is responsible for the provision of information, promotional activities, and outreach initiatives of the EUSPA in general. Among other things, the communications team focuses on the development and implementation of communication strategies and initiatives that support the objectives and activities of the Agency and the EU Space Programme.

You will be joining a dynamic and operational EU Agency and have the opportunity to work with colleagues from a broad array of different backgrounds and expertise all contributing to one of the most important and ambitious projects ever undertaken by the EU. We are committed to implement the EU Space Programme and turn the EU space ambitions into a reality. For more information on the EUSPA and the EU Space Programme, click here.

2. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

We are looking to recruit a Communications Officer who will be part of the Communications team. Along with contributing to the implementation of the Agency’s annual Communication Plan, she/he will focus on a range of tasks in support of Space Programme services, applications and Research & Development projects communication and promotion, in cooperation with the EUSPA Market Development, EGNOS, Galileo Services and other departments, as needed.

The jobholder will report to the Head of Communications and will be entrusted with the following main tasks and responsibilities:

  • Contribute to communication and engagement strategies to increase Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus brand awareness and its user uptake, implementing a wide range of traditional and digital communication, promotion and community-engagement initiatives;
  • Coordinate the development of digital solutions to reach existing and new user communities and stakeholders, enhance programme visibility through including, but not limited to, newsletters, videos, apps, webinars, online surveys, and user consultations;
  • Develop awareness-raising campaigns to improve understanding of the EU Space Programme, boost market adoption and enhance user-community engagement;
  • Contribute to the organisation and effective promotion of relevant communication events;
  • Manage the Agency’s websites and social media channels also by liaising with external providers in order to ensure the efficient and timely management of the Agency´s overall online presence and its various channels;
  • Propose and implement online outreach strategies and plans, for the promotion of events, publications, newsletters and new EU Global Navigation Satellite Services and tools;
  • Contribute to internal communications initiatives targeting all staff of the Agency;
  • Contribute to corporate tasks such as planning, reporting, administration, financial & budget management, risk management;
  • Contribute to procurement processes for the selection of service providers for Communication activities and ensure the proper management and execution of the respective contracts;
  • Advise colleagues and project-partners on effective communication opportunities and creative solutions.

3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The selection procedure is open to applicants who satisfy the following eligibility criteria, on the closing date for application:

  1. A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies5 of at least three years attested by a diploma
  2. Be a national of a Member State of the European Union or Norway 
  3. Be entitled to his or her full rights as a citizen
  4. Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service
  5. Meet the character requirements for the duties involved6
  6. Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union7 and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the European Union to the extent necessary for the performance of his/her duties
  7. Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post8

Temporary agents (2f) from EUSPA and other EU agencies, in grade AD5 or AD6, are also invited to apply in accordance with the following EUSPA rules: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/conditions_of_employment_of_temporary_staff_ta.pdf


[5] Only study titles that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are subject to the equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. Qualifications/diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom until 31/12/2020 are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/. [6] Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a Police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record. [7] The languages of the EU are: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Irish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish. [8] Before a successful candidate can be appointed, s/he will be medically examined by a selected medical service so that the Agency will be satisfied that s/he fulfils the requirement of Article 28(e) of the Staff Regulation of Officials of the European Union.

4. SELECTION CRITERIA

All eligible applications, according to the afore-mentioned criteria, will be assessed against the requirements listed below solely based on the information provided by the candidates in their application. 

The Selection Board responsible for this selection will determine the criteria to be assessed in the various phases of the selection procedure (assessment of the application forms, interview and written test) prior to being granted access to the names of the applicants. 

Non-compliance with any of the essential criteria may result in the exclusion of the candidate from the selection process. Advantageous criteria constitute additional assets and will not result in exclusion, if not fulfilled.

When filling the online application, candidates are expected to clearly include elements that demonstrate that their profile matches the requirements below.

Essential criteria

  1. Experience in developing and implementing communication strategies for international organisations;
  2. Experience in digital media campaigns, including working knowledge of website design, management and professional use of social media platforms for communications campaigns and managing the production of publications and videos;
  3. Experience in procurement and contracts management;
  4. Excellent command of both written and spoken English;

Advantageous criteria

  1. Experience in promoting and managing large international events;
  2. Experience working with the press and in the organisation and coverage of press conferences and briefings;
  3. Experience with and knowledge of the organisation, structure and working procedures of the European Commission and/or EU Agencies;
  4. Experience in crisis communication;

Behavioural competencies

  1. Motivation;
  2. Excellent drafting and communications skills;
  3. Excellent planning and organisation skills;
  4. Ability to work with others in cooperative approach;
  5. Strong sense of initiative, flexibility and a problem-solving approach;
  6. Ability to deliver accurate work under pressure.

5. SELECTION PROCEDURE

The current vacancy aims to fill 1 (one) post and establish a reserve list.

A comprehensive description of the selection process is available here.

Indicative date for the interview and written test: December 2021. The date might be modified depending on the availability of the Selection Board members.

Candidates are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the Selection Board members, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to disqualification from the selection procedure.

Any questions regarding the selection procedure should be addressed only to: jobs@euspa.europa.eu

In addition, candidates having any personal relationship within the EUSPA have the possibility to declare such situation to jobs@euspa.europa.eu.

 

6. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

In order to be considered for this position, candidates need to create an account by registering via the EUSPA e-recruitment tool.

Only applications submitted via the e-recruitment tool will be accepted. Applications sent via email or post will not be taken into consideration.

Multiple applications received for the same position via different accounts will lead to the exclusion of the applicant from the selection procedure.

Important: the information provided by candidates in their online application constitutes the solely basis for the assessment of the eligibility and selection criteria. Therefore, they are invited to carefully read the requirements and to provide the relevant information in such detail that would allow this assessment. Particular attention should be paid to information on the education and professional experience, in particular exact dates, description of responsibilities and duties carried out. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure accurate and elaborate completion of the application form and avoidance of unclarities and typos.

All sections of the application should be completed in English in order to facilitate the selection procedure.

In order to be considered, applications must be received by the closing date indicated in the vacancy notice.

Candidates are advised to submit the application well ahead of the deadline in order to avoid potential problems during the final days before the closing date of applications’ submissions. The Agency cannot be held responsible for any last-minute malfunctioning of the e-recruitment tool due to heavy traffic on the website.

Any request for technical support must be sent to: jobs@euspa.europa.eu minimum two working days before the vacancy notice deadline. Please note, that if you submit your request for technical support later, we may not be able to assist you;

Please consult the e-recruitment guideline for instructions on completing the application.

Any questions regarding the selection procedure should be addressed only to: jobs@euspa.europa.eu

7. APPEAL PROCEDURE

If a candidate considers that he/she has been adversely affected by a particular decision, he/she can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Union; submit a judicial appeal under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (ex Art. 236 of the EC Treaty) and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union; or make a complaint to the European Ombudsman.

Details on how to initiate these processes are available here.

8. SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENTS

The remuneration consists of a basic salary9 and, where applicable, additional allowances10, paid on a monthly basis and reimbursements11, paid upon their evidenced occurrence.

The sum of the basic salary and the applicable additional allowances is weighted by the correction coefficient applicable for the location of the post12. The sum of usual social deductions from salary at source is subtracted from the weighted amount13. The full pay is exempted from the national income tax, but is subject to the internal income tax and the solidarity levy14.

Examples of net monthly salaries (as currently applicable in Prague) are presented below:

AD 5 - Step 1 (less than 3 years of work experience)15
a) Minimum final net salary (without any allowances) b) Final net salary with expatriation allowance c) Final net salary with expatriation, household and 1 dependent child allowance
3,314.81 EUR 3,985.14 EUR 4,785.34 EUR

 

AD 5 - Step 2 (more than 3 years of work experience)15
a) Minimum final net salary (without any allowances) b) Final net salary with expatriation allowance c) Final net salary with expatriation, household and 1 dependent child allowance
3,439.23 EUR 4,137.73 EUR 4,947.38 EUR

 

LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS

Staff is entitled to annual leave of two working days per each complete calendar month of service plus additional days for the grade, age, home leave for expatriates and an average of 16 EUSPA public holidays per year.

Special leave is granted for certain circumstances such as marriage, moving, elections, birth or adoption of a child, serious sickness of spouse, etc.

SOCIAL SECURITY

The pension scheme provides a very competitive pension after a minimum of 10 years of service and reaching the pensionable age. Pension rights acquired in one or more national schemes before starting to work at the EUSPA may be transferred into the EU pension system.

EUSPA’s benefits include an attractive Health insurance: staff is covered 24/7 and worldwide by the Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS). Staff is insured against sickness, accident and occupational disease, and could be entitled to unemployment and to invalidity allowances.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND BENEFITS CONTRIBUTING TO WORK-LIFE BALANCE

EUSPA aims at creating and maintaining a supportive and healthy work environment that enables staff members to have a balance between work and personal responsibilities, for example through flexible working time arrangements. 

EUSPA also offers a wide range of training courses to develop staff members’ personal skills and to keep in touch with the latest developments in their field. The training and professional development opportunities are attuned to the career plan and requirements of the departments.

INTERNAL AND INTERAGENCY MOBILITY

In case of internal or interagency mobility, EUSPA and the selected candidate shall conclude a contract of employment in accordance with the EUSPA rules: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/simplecount_pdf/tracker?file=conditions_of_employment_of_temporary_staff_ta.pdf


[9] As per Articles 92 and 93 CEOS. [10] Household allowance (e.g. if you have a dependent child or you are married and your spouse's income is below a defined threshold); Dependent child allowance (e.g. if you have a child under the age of 18 or between 18 and 26, if in specified training programme); Education allowances (in very specific cases) or Payment of the education fees applicable to the educational institutions EUSPA has an agreement with (currently more than 18 international schools in the Czech Republic and Spain, and European Schools in France and in the Netherlands); Expatriation allowance (16% of the sum of basic salary and other applicable allowances). [11] If the staff member is requested to change the residence in order to take up duties, s/he will be entitled to: reimbursement of the travel costs; temporary daily subsistence allowance (EUR 44.28 for up to 10 months or EUR 35.71 for 120 days, if no dependents); installation allowance (depending on personal situation, 1 or 2 months of the basic salary – paid upon successful completion of the nine-month probationary period). [12] Currently correction coefficients for the EUSPA duty locations are: 85.2% for CZ, 120.5% for FR, 113.9% for NL, 94.2% for ES. The coefficient is updated every year, with retroactive effect from 1 July. [13] Pension (10.10%); health insurance (1.70%); accident cover (0.10%); unemployment insurance (0.81%). [14] Currently: income tax: tax levied progressively at a rate of between 8% and 45% of the taxable portion of the salary; solidarity levy: 6%. [15] Kindly note that the numbers in examples b) and c) are indicative and net monthly remuneration varies depending on the personal, life and social situation of the incumbent. The various components of the remuneration are updated every year, with retroactive effect from 1 July.

9. COMMITMENT

Declaration of commitment to serve the public interest independently:

The jobholder will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make a declaration in relation to any interest that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

The jobholder will be required to carry out his/her duties and conduct him/herself solely with the interests of the European Union in mind; he/she shall neither seek nor take instruction from any government, authority, organisation or person outside his/her institution. He/she shall carry out the duties assigned with objectivity, impartiality and loyalty to the European Union.

Commitment to promote equal opportunities:

The Agency is an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourages applications from all candidates who fulfil the eligibility and selection criteria without any distinction whatsoever on grounds of nationality, age, race, political, philosophical or religious conviction, gender or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or other family situation.

10. DATA PROTECTION

The personal data requested from applicants will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) N° 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, officers and agencies and on the free movement of such data (repealing Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 and Decision N° 1247/2002/EC) and the applicable privacy statement which can be accessed here: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/privacy_statement_selection_and_recruitment_2019.pdf