Head of the Human Resources Department

Job Requisition ID: 19209

Date Posted: 12 December 2024

Application Deadline: 19 January 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Internal Services

Workplace: Paris, FR

Grade Band: A6 - A6

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description
As Head of the ESA Human Resources Department, you will report directly to the Director of Internal Services. With the support of a large team of HR professionals distributed over ESA HQ and five other ESA establishments, you will drive the HR policy with a renewed focus on resource strategy and career management to support the transformation of the Agency over the next decade.

Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• defining the Agency’s human resources strategy and policy in consultation with ESA’s top management and leading their uniform implementation throughout the organisation;
• providing HR solutions and guidance to staff and managers on all human resources matters on areas such as recruitment, learning and development, career and talent management and staff administration (i.e. payroll and related matters);
• ensuring the suitability of occupational health management and the systematic promotion of health and wellbeing and quality of working life at ESA;
• drafting, updating and revising the Staff Regulations, Rules and Instructions and the Pension Scheme Rules in line with the relevant human resources policy decisions and in consultation with the Legal Services Department;
• working with the IT Department on the evolution of HR IT systems and tools, including the development and maintenance of HR dashboards, to ensure they meet the Agency’s needs and support data-driven decision- making;
• representing the Agency at Co-ordinated Organisation level, in joint committees and advisory boards as stated in the Staff Regulations, Rules and Instructions, managing the implementation thereof, and negotiating with staff representatives. Representing human resources towards the Staff and the Pensioners Associations;
• ensuring internal communication on human resources matters, with the support of the Communication Department;
• supporting ESA-wide change management and organisational development and leading all HR related aspects of ESA transformation.

You will be responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities above in close coordination with the colleagues in charge of workforce management for organisational and planning matters and in charge of facility management for health and safety matters.

Technical competencies
Knowledge and understanding of the Agency's core business

Experience in developing and implementing HR-related policies and services

Knowledge of organisational development and change management methodology

Experience in negotiating and communicating with different stakeholders

Proven leadership in Human Resources

Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education
A master’s degree is required for this post, preferably in HR management, legal, social science or business administration.

Additional requirements
In addition, you should have:

• at least 8 years of experience in a similar leadership position;
• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the department and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required, international experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities. Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation.

Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].

Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

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