Please submit your application by 17 July 2025 at 23:59 (local time), following the instructions in the ANNEX.
Is this job for you?
Are you a seasoned manager who can turn vision into results? As Head of the Management Services Department, you'll provide strategic leadership to a team that ensures EFSA’s internal operations run smoothly. You lead by example, foster collaboration, drive innovation, and uphold EFSA’s values.
Your Key Responsibilities
The Head of the Management Services Department plays a pivotal role in leading and shaping the department’s strategic direction and operational excellence. The key responsibilities of the position include :
* Provide vision, direction and inspirational leadership to the Department staff, fostering quality, collaboration, and customer-orientation in the delivery of expert management services to internal and external stakeholders.
* Ensure the effective deployment and optimization of resources in support of EFSA’s strategic objectives, in alignment with the European institutional and regulatory framework.
* Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of strategies, policies and administrative services that enable and enhance the effectiveness, agility, and impact of EFSA’s operations, providing the organisation with robust internal functions, capabilities, processes and standards.
* As a member of EFSA’s senior management team, serve as a key advisor to EFSA’s senior leadership, contributing to high-level decision-making with evidence-based insights and strategic foresight, promoting collaboration, sound internal governance, innovation, and long-term organisational resilience.
* Promote a culture of excellence by enabling talent management practices that foster staff engagement, continuous development, and high performance across the organisation.
* Represent the department and EFSA in high-level internal and external fora, including senior management meetings, governing bodies, and with EU institutions and stakeholders, fostering trust, transparency and alignment with institutional goals.
About the Department
The Management Services Department (~140 staff) delivers governance, resource efficiency, and a supportive work environment. It consists of five Units : Global Performance Services, Legal Affairs, Financial Services, Corporate Services, and Human Capital. Main tasks include :
* Coordinating EFSA’s strategy and implementation.
* Providing legal, HR, IT, financial, and logistics services.
* Optimising people, tools, and processes.
* Driving digital transformation and performance management.
* Ensuring compliance and supporting governance bodies.
Why EFSA?
At EFSA, your work supports food safety for 445 million EU citizens. With 580+ staff and expert panels, EFSA offers an inclusive, ethical, and dynamic workplace where every role matters. You’ll join EFSA at a key moment as we implement the EFSA Strategy 2027, aligned with the Transparency Regulation. Strategic objectives include :
* Delivering trusted scientific advice from farm to fork.
* Being prepared for future risk analysis needs.
* Empowering people and ensuring organisational agility.
WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?
Life in Parma : Parma is a lively city of around 200,000 inhabitants located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna and ranked as one of the most liveable cities in Italy. Its centre is rich in art, with architecture from different periods and plenty of parks. Parma is famous for its food, surrounding picturesque countryside and medieval castles. It is strategically located between major cities like Milano and Bologna and within reachable distance from ski resorts, seaside and mountains.
Salary and benefits : EFSA can offer the selected candidate a contract of 5 years with the possibility of renewal. If renewed for a second time, the contract will be for an indefinite period. More information can be found in the Notice on policy on the duration of staff contracts at EFSA. The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent Grade AD12 with the basic salary starting from €14,178 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in Article 64 and 65(1) of the Staff Regulations. In addition to the basic salary, EFSA offers a range of benefits :
* Various allowances to which the successful jobholder may be entitled, such as a household allowance, expatriation allowance (16% of basic salary), dependent child allowance and education allowance. The salary is subject to a Union tax deducted at source and staff members are exempt from national taxation.
* Wide range of leaves (e.g., annual leave, parental leave, public holidays) and flexible working hours. Besides working in EFSA’s modern headquarters located in the heart of Parma, staff members are also offered the possibility to telework.
* A comprehensive welfare package including pension scheme, medical, accident and occupational disease insurance coverage, unemployment and invalidity allowance, and travel insurance. Further information regarding rights, benefits, obligations and conditions of employment can be found at the following links :
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS?
I. Eligibility criteria
1. General requirements
* Be national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway;
* Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
* Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service;
* Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post;
* Have a thorough knowledge of one of the EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language;
* Meet the character requirements for the duties involved.
2. Qualifications
a) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma; OR b) A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma, and in addition at least one (1) year of professional experience.
3. Experience
In addition to the above, at least fifteen (15) years of proven professional experience acquired after having obtained the qualifications mentioned in point 2 in positions corresponding to the nature of duties of the vacant post. Out of these fifteen (15) years, at least two (2) years must have been acquired as a manager. The professional experience must cover work in at least two (2) of the following areas, within the public or private sector :
* Corporate control and management systems
* Regulatory matters
* IT infrastructure and services
* HR strategy, HR management and change management
* Facility Management
* Service management
In case you do not fulfill all the eligibility criteria, your application will not be taken into consideration.
II. Selection criteria (Technical and behavioural competencies)
The following competencies will be assessed throughout the different phases of the selection procedure. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate strong motivation for the position.
i. Experience (at least 6 years) in leading, coaching and motivating teams and driving high performance (as Head of Department / Unit / Sector or equivalent), preferably gained in an international / multicultural environment.
ii. Experience in shaping and driving a compelling vision that inspires and aligns teams, fostering a shared sense of purpose, and translates long-term strategic goals into actionable plans and impactful outcomes.
iii. Experience in designing, implementing and continuously improving organisational strategies, policies, capabilities and processes to ensure and enhance operational excellence and agility. Experience in leading and managing organisational or cultural change initiatives is an asset.
iv. Experience in managing operations and resources effectively and efficiently to support organisational priorities. The professional experience must cover work in at least two (2) of the following areas :
* Corporate control and management systems
* Regulatory matters
* IT infrastructure and services
* HR strategy, HR management and change management
* Facility Management
* Service management
v. Knowledge of the EU institutional and regulatory framework, particularly in areas related to administration, governance or resource management. Experience working with the EU staff, financial regulations and budget cycle is an asset.
i. Deal with ambiguity : Able to work constructively within unexpected and unpredictable situations and show resilience and composure, even in difficult or adverse circumstances; able to decide and act without having the total picture.
ii. Demonstrate political savvy and strategic agility : Demonstrated business acumen and ability to visualise future opportunities; ability to manage and promote change as a creative, value-adding and innovative leader.
iii. Focus on stakeholder needs : Committed to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and gain trust and respect; advanced partnering and networking skills.
iv. Plan and measure for results : Set ambitious goals that exceed the targets and create plans to achieve them; ensure an efficient and responsible planning and management of resources.
v. Work with others : Work confidently within a group and contribute to achieve the common goals; able to cooperate, listen actively, manage, negotiate.
vi. Lead and develop a team : Lead, supervise and develop a group of people, in order to meet the expected results; inspire and motivate people.
vii. Communication : Ability to communicate clearly and present complex subjects simply, both orally and in writing.
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