Expert in Respiratory Tract Infections/Surveillance Unit - Montesquieu Institute

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Vacancy for the post

Expert in Respiratory Tract Infections / Surveillance Unit

(ECDC/TA/AD/2010/SUN-ERTI)

Applications are invited for the above Temporary Agent post at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The Centre is located in Stockholm, Sweden. The legal base for the Centre is Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 establishing a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

General description of the tasks and role of the ECDC

The mission of the Centre is to identify, assess and communicate current and emerging threats to human health from communicable diseases. Within this broad mission statement, the main technical tasks of the Centre fall into the following four categories:

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  Scientific opinions, bringing together technical expertise in specific fields through its various EU-wide networks and via ad hoc scientific panels;

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  Technical assistance and communication about its activities and results, and disseminating information tailored to meet the needs of its different audiences;

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  Epidemiological surveillance and networking of laboratories, i.e. the development of epidemiological surveillance at European level and the maintenance of networks of reference laboratories;

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  Early Warning and Response, based on `round the clock' availability of specialists in communicable diseases.

See also the Centre home page at http://ecdc.europa.eu

Working in the Centre

The work in the Centre is characterised by a high level of professionalism and efficiency. We believe each and every staff member's contribution is important in making the Centre a good place to work with a strong team spirit. We can offer an opportunity of being an important part of a young and dynamic European Agency.

The Director's Cabinet supports the Director in overseeing the strategic development of the Centre and ensuring coordination. There are four technical Units in the Centre: Scientific Advice, Surveillance, Preparedness and Response and Health Communication. The work on specific diseases or specific health issues is carried out in disease specific programmes, which include experts from all four units. The operational activities of ECDC are facilitated by the Administration Unit.

The Surveillance Unit

The main task of the Surveillance Unit is to gradually take over the responsibility for the surveillance of communicable diseases at the EU level. In close collaboration with the experts of the national surveillance institutes, streamlined technical systems will be built, data analysed and the information disseminated to those who need it for the promotion of good health in Europe. The Surveillance Unit is made up of six sections, the Data Management and General Surveillance section and the Disease Specific Surveillance sections. Respiratory tract infections section is one of the Disease Specific Surveillance sections.

Job description

The jobholder will report to the Head of the Respiratory Tract Infection section of the Surveillance Unit and will be responsible in particular for the following tasks:

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  Assist in planning and coordinating ECDC's activities in the area of surveillance of respiratory diseases, especially Legionnaires' disease;

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  Contribute to the coordination, general operation, continuous evaluation and improvement of the surveillance system for respiratory diseases, especially Legionnaires' disease;

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  Contribute to activities to integrate national laboratory capacity for respiratory diseases, especially Legionnaires' disease, into EU-wide surveillance, taking the existing structures into account;

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  Contribute to the planning and implementation of systems for analysis and dissemination of surveillance data on respiratory diseases, especially Legionnaires' disease, and of other information relevant for the Centre;

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  Contribute to the collection, validation, analysis, interpretation and reporting of surveillance data on respiratory diseases, especially Legionnaires' disease;

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  Assist Member States in strengthening national surveillance of respiratory diseases, especially Legionnaires' disease;

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  Establish close working contacts with the other operational units within the Centre;

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  Contribute to developing close working relations between the Centre and national/international bodies responsible for surveillance of respiratory diseases, especially Legionnaires' disease, as well as relevant organisations, networks and experts on projects related to the Unit mandate and the Centre.

Qualifications and experiences required

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  Formal requirements

In order to be an eligible candidate you need to have a set of formal requirements. These requirements are:

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  A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;

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  Thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the Communities and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the Communities to the extent necessary for the performance of his/her duties;

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  Nationality of one of the EU Member States or of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;

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  To be entitled to his or her full rights as a citizen;

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  To have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service;

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  Meet the character requirements for the duties involved; and

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  Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.

B. Selection criteria

Professional experience and knowledge:

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  At least 5 years professional experience (following the award of the diploma) of which at least 3 years acquired in positions relevant to the duties outlined in the job description;

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  Proven technical experience of surveillance of infectious diseases at national and/or international level, in one or more of designing, implementing, running or evaluating surveillance systems, with an emphasis on respiratory diseases;

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  Proven experience in using statistical and analytical epidemiological methods;

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  Proven skills in communicating scientific information to authorities, scientists as well as to a wider audience;

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  Good knowledge of EU policies and activities relevant to the duties listed above;

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  Good command of English, both spoken and written, and an additional EU language.

Personal characteristics/interpersonal skills:

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  Excellent oral and written communication skills;

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  Ability to work under pressure and manage responsibilities;

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  Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team.

We have also identified experiences that are advantageous for this post. These are:

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  Diploma in the field of communicable diseases, public or environmental health;

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  Proven experience using STATA to analyse epidemiological data

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  Field epidemiology training (e.g. EPIET, EIS);

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  Thorough familiarity with activities within the EU as regards the surveillance of respiratory diseases;

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  Working experience in a fast growing organisation.

Depending on the number of applications received, the selection committee may apply stricter requirements within the aforementioned selection criteria.

Appointment and conditions of employment

The jobholder will be appointed on the basis of a shortlist proposed by the Selection Committee to the Director. This vacancy notice is the basis for the establishment of the Selection Committee's proposal. Candidates may be requested to undergo written tests. Candidates should note that the proposal may be made public and that inclusion in the shortlist does not guarantee recruitment. The shortlist of candidates will be established following an open selection process.

The successful candidate will be recruited as a Temporary Agent, pursuant to article 2a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities, for a period of five years. The contract may be renewed. The appointment will be in AD 5.

Applicants should note the requirement under the EU staff regulations for all new staff to complete successfully a probationary period.

For any further information on contractual and working conditions, please refer to the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities, which are available at the following link:

http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/aboutus/jobs/Documents/2007_StaffRegulations.pdf

The place of employment will be Stockholm, where the Centre has its activities.

Successful candidate appointed by the Director will be required to be available at the shortest notice possible.

Reserve list

A reserve list will be drawn up by ECDC. The list may be used as a reserve for recruitment, should similar vacancies arise. It will be valid until 31 December 2011 and may be extended.

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 the interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

Equal opportunities

ECDC applies equal opportunities and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of age, race political, philosophical or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or family situation.

Application procedure

For applications to be valid, you must submit all of the following documents by e-mail:

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  A detailed Curriculum Vitae in European format (available on http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu )- any other formats will render your application ineligible. When a position has been part-time, please indicate the exact percentage of time worked, since the formal requirements for professional experience, will be calculated on this basis ;

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  A letter of motivation;

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  The eligibility and selection criteria grid completed (see below).

You will be requested at a later stage to supply documentary evidence in original in support of the statements that you make for this application. As a candidate you are to be informed that in a later part of the recruitment process a mandatory medical analyses and physical check-up is done with selected medical service.

Applications preferably in the working language of the Centre, which is English, should be sent by e-mail in Word or PDF format to Recruitment@ecdc.europa.eu clearly indicating the vacancy reference (ECDC/TA/AD/2010/SUN-ERTI) and your family name in the Subject line. The application will be rejected if the dossier is incomplete.

Closing date for the submission of applications is 19 July 2010 at 24:00 CET.

Due to the large volume of applications only applicants selected for interviews will be notified.

Important information for applicants

Applicants are reminded that the work of the selection committees is confidential. It is forbidden for applicants to make direct or indirect contact with members of these committees or for anybody to do so on their behalf.

When making appointment decisions, the Appointing Authority considers geographical and gender balance.

Protection of personal data

Please note that the personal information ECDC requests from applicants will be processed in line with Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data.  The purpose of processing of your personal data is to support the selection procedures at ECDC. This processing may involve distribution of this data to other Community institutions. For further information or exercise of your rights (such as the right to access or the right to correct my data), contact can be taken with the Human Resources section.

Eligibility and selection criteria grid

Expert in respiratory tract infections /surveillance unit

(ECDC/TA/AD/2010/SUN-ERTI)

Last Name (in capitals):

First name:

Gender: Male:

Female:

A. Eligibility criteria

(1)	I have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma.	Yes	No
(2)	I have a thorough knowledge of at least two official languages of the European Union.	Yes	No
(3)	I am a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.	Yes	No
(4)	I am entitled to my full rights as citizen.	Yes	No
(5)	I have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service.	Yes	No
(6)	I meet the character requirements for the duties involved.	Yes	No
(7)	I am physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.	Yes	No

(1 = slight; 2 = good; 3 = very good; 4 = excellent)

B. Selection criteria

(8)	I have at least 5 years professional experience (following the award of the diploma) of which at least 3 years acquired in expert positions related to the aforementioned duties	Yes	No
	Number of years of professional experience following the award of my diploma	Specify:
	Number of years in positions related to the aforemen­tioned duties	Specify:
(9)	I have proven technical experience of surveillance of infectious diseases on national and/or international level, in or more of designing, implementing, running or evaluating surveillance systems with an emphasis on respiratory diseases.	Yes	No
(10)	I have a diploma in the field of communicable diseases, public or environmental health or related areas:	Yes	No
(11)	I have proven experience in using statistical and analytical epidemiological methods:	1 2 3 4
(12)	My experience of using STATA to analyse epidemiological data is:	1 2 3 4
(13)	My command of English, both spoken and written is:	1 2 3 4
(14)	My oral and written communication skills are:	1 2 3 4
(15)	My ability to work under pressure is:	1 2 3 4
(16)	My inter-personal skills are:	1 2 3 4
(17)	My ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team is:	1 2 3 4
(18)	My knowledge of relevant EU policies and activities is:	1 2 3 4
(19)	My working experience in a multinational organisation is:	1 2 3 4
(20)	My ability to work under pressure and manage responsibilities is:	1 2 3 4

Official Journal No. L 142 of 30 April 2004, page 1

In addition, in order to be eligible for a promotion through an annual promotion exercise the staff members have to have a working knowledge of a third EU language, as described in the applicable Staff Regulations and Implementing Rules.

Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a certificate from the police file to the effect of non-existing criminal record.

Before being engaged, a member of the temporary staff shall be medically examined by the Centre's medical office in order that the institution may be satisfied that he fulfils the requirements of Article 12 (2)(d).

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