VACANCY NOTICE FOR POSITIONS OF
Expert - Circular economy, sustainable finance and economy analysis
Temporary Agent (AD5)
Reference no. EEA/AD/2024/18
Please send us your application by no later than 20 January 2025 at midnight (Copenhagen time), following the instructions in the ANNEX.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is organising an open competition with a view to establishing a reserve list of experts to work in the area of circular economy, economic analysis and sustainable finance.
THE AGENCY:
The EEA is an Agency of the European Union (EU) and one of the decentralised Union bodies. The EEA aims to support sustainable development and to help achieve significant and measurable improvement in Europe’s environment, through the provision of timely, targeted, relevant and reliable information to policy-making agents and the public.
The EEA is looking for talented and dedicated professionals to join our team. We're looking for experienced individuals who are motivated by contributing to achieve critical EU environment and climate objectives through changes in production and consumption systems towards circular approaches, redirecting financial markets towards these goals or more broadly by implementing systemic change in our society.
In more specific terms, this vacancy notice covers the following thematic domains:
- Circular economy and waste policies
- Sustainable finance
- Economic analysis to support sustainability goals
Professionals across all three aspects are needed and your specific expertise in your main area of focus will be evaluated during the selection process.
In these roles, you'll be a key player in our efforts to improve the transformation of the European economy toward sustainability. Your work will involve analysing data from our member and cooperating countries, reviewing scientific research, and interpreting the impact of EU policies. Most importantly, you'll help us communicate these findings effectively to the public and decision-makers.
Join a committed team of professionals based in Copenhagen and become part of a wide network spanning 38 countries. At EEA, we value respect, professionalism, openness, positivity and trust. These values guide our approach to work and collaboration.
If you're ready to make a meaningful contribution to environmental progress and be part of an organisation that cares deeply about its mission, we encourage you to apply. We're currently running an open competition for Temporary Agents to establish a reserve list of professionals in this field. Your expertise could be the key to driving positive change for Europe's environment.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The EEA is currently undergoing a reorganisation, and a new organisational chart will be available as of 1 January 2025.
Under the responsibility of the Head of the Unit ‘Circular Economy, Finance and Indicators’, reporting to the Head of Department ‘Sustainability’, the Expert will coordinate work in the field of circular economy, economic analysis and sustainable finance.
The position will entail the following tasks:
- Analysing available data and scientific evidence to support policies aiming to facilitate the transition to a more sustainable Europe, with a focus in one of the three areas stated above;
- Evaluating the connections, benefits, and potential conflicts across policies;
- Developing and maintaining relevant indicators, online platforms, and other knowledge resources to share the EEA's work on these issues;
- Collaborating with key stakeholders, including other EU and international agencies, the European Commission, and the Eionet network of countries, to exchange knowledge and create joint outputs.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
Candidates applying must satisfy the following eligibility criteria on the closing date for the submission of applications:
- Successful completion of university studies attested by a degree relevant to the field concerned of at least 3 years; OR where justified in the interests of the service, professional training of an equivalent level
In addition, in order to be eligible a candidate must:
- Be a national of one of the member countries of the EEA (Member States of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye);
- Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
- Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by law concerning military service;
- Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the EEA member countries and a satisfactory knowledge of another of these languages (corresponding to level B.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages CEFR);
- Meet the character requirements for the duties involved;
- Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.
Candidates should assess carefully and check before submitting their application whether they fulfil all the conditions for admission laid down in the vacancy notice, particularly in terms of qualifications and relevant professional experience.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
(In your application, please provide examples from current or past work experience where these competencies have been applied).
Essential:
- Demonstrated expertise and technical knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
1) Circular economy and waste policies;
2) Sustainable finance;
3) Economic analysis to stimulate the attainment of environment and climate goals
- Demonstrated awareness on policies and legislation at International and European level in relation to one or more of the three areas listed above;
- Ability to analyse the interconnections between the specified themes and other key European Union goals, including climate action, biodiversity conservation, or zero-pollution policies;
- Excellent analytical skills, including understanding of digital tools that can assist in data driven analysis, to support evidence-based decision-making;
- Excellent command of written and spoken English language, at least at level C1 in all categories according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language.
Advantageous:
- Proven understanding of project management principles, including planning, execution, and monitoring, to effectively manage projects with diverse stakeholders, ensuring they achieve their goals and timelines;
- Proven knowledge of the role and work of regional, national, European, or international institutions, particularly in the thematic areas specified in this vacancy notice.
Candidates invited to the written test and interview stage will also be assessed against the following behavioural competencies:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with colleagues and stakeholders;
- Empathy and a collegial attitude, valuing teamwork and collaboration over personal recognition;
- Diversity awareness and sensitivity;
- Well-developed solution-oriented and problem-solving approach;
- Ability to take responsibility for specific areas of work and to deliver to high standards;
- Service orientation and ability to understand stakeholder needs and requirements;
- Ability to seek out learning opportunities proactively, to handle situations and problems with innovation and creativity.
- Self-reflection and focus on continuous professional development.
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:
The successful candidate will be offered a Temporary Agent contract in accordance with Article 2f) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities. The selected candidate will be employed for an initial time period of four years, renewable.
Successful candidates who are recruited undergo an initial probation period of 9 months.
Should the successful candidate currently hold a Temporary Agent 2(f) contract and qualify for a transfer under the terms of the CEOS, the band width for this position which can be accommodated is in accordance with Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
For information on salary, please see information published under Temporary Agents.
The place of work will be Copenhagen, Denmark.
It is brought to the particular attention of candidates that the provisions of Articles 11 to 26 of the Staff Regulations, concerning the rights and obligations of officials, shall apply by analogy to Temporary Agents. These rules specify that:
“An official shall carry out his duties and conduct himself solely with the interests of the Union in mind. He shall neither seek nor take instructions from any government, authority, organization or person outside his institution. He shall carry out the duties assigned to him objectively, impartially and in keeping with his duty of loyalty to the Union.
An official shall not without the permission of the appointing authority accept from any government or from any other source outside the institution to which s/he belongs any honour, decoration, favour, gift or payment of any kind whatever, except for services rendered either before his appointment or during special leave for military or other national service and in respect of such service.
Before recruiting an official, the appointing authority shall examine whether the candidate has any personal interest such as to impair his independence or any other conflict of interest. To that end, the candidate, using a specific form, shall inform the appointing authority of any actual or potential conflict of interest. In such cases, the appointing authority shall take this into account in a duly reasoned opinion. If necessary, the appointing authority shall take the measures referred to in Article 11a(2).”
For further information on the Staff Regulations and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union see:
Staff Regulations
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
A Selection Committee is set up for the selection procedure. It consists of members designated by the Appointing Authority and the Staff Committee. The Selection Committee is bound by the principle of confidentiality as enshrined in Article 6 of Annex III to the Staff Regulations. This works in two ways: first, it imposes obligations to ensure equal treatment for candidates; and second, it seeks to protect the Selection Committee to ensure that its decisions are totally impartial.
The Selection Committee adheres strictly to the conditions of admission laid down in the vacancy notice when deciding whether or not candidates are eligible. Candidates admitted to a previous selection procedure will not automatically be eligible. Candidates are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the members of the Selection Committee, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to disqualification from the selection procedure.
In a spirit of transparency, and in order to align our working methods with current practice in certain Member States, the administration has decided to proceed with the publication of names of Selection Committee members.
Should the Selection Committee discover at any stage in the procedure that the candidate does not meet one or more of the general or special conditions for admission to the selection procedure, the candidate will be disqualified.
The Selection Committee decides on those candidates who are admitted to the selection procedure in accordance with the requirements as specified under eligibility criteria. The applications of the candidates admitted to the selection procedure are reviewed to establish whether or not they show evidence of all requirements as specified under selection criteria.
The Selection Committee will invite to the interview and to the written test phase the best qualified candidates (maximum of 35). Should the case arise that there are various candidates scoring the same number of points in the 35th ranking, the number of candidates to be invited may be increased accordingly to accommodate this.
The interview will be held in English and the candidate’s knowledge of other languages will also be assessed during the interview. Candidates invited for an interview will be asked to undergo a written test in English, in the area of expertise required for the post. The test and the interview will take place online.
At the end of the interviews the Selection Committee will submit the list of suitable candidates to the Appointing Authority who will decide on the appointment of the successful candidate and the establishment of a reserve list for the post advertised or similar posts that may become available. There may be conducted follow-up recruitment interviews with the suitable candidates. Candidates shall note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. Recruitment will be based on availability of posts and budget.
The reserve list for this post will be valid until 31 December 2026 and may be extended at the discretion of the Appointing Authority.
Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate will be asked:
- to provide original or certified copies of all relevant documents proving his/her eligibility, including a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record;
- to undergo a compulsory medical examination to establish that he/she meets the standard of physical fitness necessary to perform the duties involved.
