1. The job<\/p>\n
ECHA wishes to establish a reserve list of middle managers that may be called to lead one of its operational or corporate units. If you are an individual with management and leadership experience in the private or public sector, in a national, EU or international organisation and are interested in joining a dynamic, expanding organisation, then this job could be for you.<\/p>\n
2. Key responsibilities<\/p>\n
**In the application form, you will be requested to choose the profile that best suits your skills and experience either corporate or operational. We cannot accept simultaneous applications for both profiles, nor can you change your choice during the selection process**.<\/p>\n
Responsibilities for Corporate Head of Unit profile:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Actively contribute to ECHAs overall strategy, (multi)annual planning, and corporate identity as a member of the management team in line with our values of integrity, transparency, collaboration and innovation.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Provide clear direction; motivate, support, and empower staff and team leaders to reach their potential.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Ensure sound financial management of the unit budget, including forecasting, monitoring execution, and overseeing public procurement procedures.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Develop and implement Unit Level Plans (ULP) and ensure adequate reporting of financial and human resources in collaboration with the Director and, in line with the Agency’s strategic workforce planning.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Ensure all activities conform to the Agency’s Integrated Management System (IMS)<\/p>\n
and internal governance and administration policies.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Leverage data to ensure sound, evidence-based Agency and regulatory decisions in line with the Agency’s strategic objectives.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Collaborate with other Heads of Unit and directorates to ensure seamless internal communication, cooperation and a “customer-oriented” approach.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Reflect ECHAs values in daily interactions, ensuring a respectful, healthy, and inclusive<\/p>\n
working environment.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Support change and transformation management across the Agency in response to changing external policy and stakeholder demands.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Set up and maintain effective and constructive engagements with relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Represent ECHA in external fora, supporting the external Agency image in accordance with its values.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Ensure delivery of compliant outcomes within their dedicated process, adapting to new technologies (e.g. Artificial Intelligence) and robust data analysis.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Provide advice to their Director and the senior management team on setting the policy context and strategic planning within a specific domain.<\/p>\n
Unique responsibilities of a Corporate Head of Unit profile:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Drive the creation of Agency-level policies in specialized corporate functions and oversee their consistent application across all directorates.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Oversee the tools and channels that support the Agency’s corporate functions.<\/p>\n
3. Minimum qualifications<\/p>\n
a) Successful completion of a full course of university studies attested by a degree, where the normal duration of university education is four (4) years or more, or b) Successful completion of a full course of university studies attested by a degree, where the normal duration of university education is three (3) years and at least one (1) year of relevant professional experience.<\/p>\n
**Only qualifications issued by EU Member State authorities or EEA authorities and qualifications recognised as equivalent by the relevant EU or EEA Member State authorities will be accepted.**<\/p>\n
4. Professional experience<\/p>\n
To qualify for this profile, you must have at the closing date for applications a total professional experience of at least 12 (twelve) years acquired after achieving the minimum requirements stated in section 4.b of this vacancy notice.<\/p>\n
Of your total professional experience, at least 5 (five) years must be in a field, or fields relevant to the areas of work mentioned in section 3; additionally, at least 2 (two) years must be in a management role (Head of Unit, Head of Sector, Team Leader or equivalent).<\/p>\n
5. Selection criteria<\/p>\n
The candidates who are judged to be the most suitable based on the selection criteria will be invited to a (remote) written test and\/or interview. The pre-selection panel will decide whether succeeding in the written test is a prerequisite to be invited to the interview.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 **Your academic and professional qualifications,** and their relevance to the main areas of work listed for either profile in Section 3;<\/p>\n
\u00b7 **Your professional experience**, including the range of fields covered, the type, length and level of work done and its relevance to the areas of work for either profile in Section 3;<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Your experience in managing multidisciplinary teams in the public or private sector.<\/p>\n
The following will be considered as **assets for the corporate Head of Unit profile**:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Knowledge of key EU legislation in the areas of people management and finance, ie the EU Staff Regulations and Financial Regulation.<\/p>\n
The following will be considered also as **assets for profile**:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Proven work experience in implementing and guiding teams through organisational change or unit-level innovation initiatives with tangible results.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Extensive experience managing activities in data-intensive or highly digitalized environments, specifically involving the oversight of data management platforms or digital workflows.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Completion of management-level training or professional certifications in leadership, data management, or digital transformation relevant to middle-management responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Work experience gained in a similar multicultural environment.<\/p>\n
6. How to apply<\/p>\n
You can submit your application and find more information (the vacancy notice and application form) on ECHA website (Open positions – ECHA). The deadline to fill in the application form is **29 May 2026 at noon 12:00 Helsinki time (11:00 a.m. CEST).**
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