Budget Manager

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

INTER-AGENCY JOINT-SELECTION PROCEDURE

The European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency (CINEA) together with the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) is organising a joint-selection procedure in view of establishing a Reserve List for the position of:

Budget Manager FGIV

(Ref.: CINEA-ERCEA-REA/INTER-AGENCY/IV/2021/02)

Type of contract: Contract Agent

Function group and grade: FG IV

Duration of contract: 1 year (with the possibility of extension)

Estimated number of candidates to be placed on the Reserve List: 30

Agency: CINEA-ERCEA-REA

Place of employment: Brussels, Belgium;

Deadline for application: 30/07/2021 at midnight, Brussels time

The coordination of the selection procedure will be handled by CINEA. CINEA, ERCEA and REA will have access to the reserve list of candidates established as a result of this selection procedure and may offer a job to successful candidates.

About Us

CINEA

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) was established by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/173 of 12 February 2021 as a successor of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) Its mission is to support stakeholders in delivering the European Green Deal through high-quality programme management that helps to implement projects contributing to decarbonisation and sustainable growth.

The main programmes managed (or to be managed) by CINEA are:

• The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF): Transport and Energy
• Horizon Europe; Pillar 2, Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility
• The Innovation Fund
• The LIFE Programme
• The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund
• The EU Renewable Energy financing mechanism and
• The Just Transition Mechanism.

CINEA is based in Brussels and has a multinational team of around 500 persons. The number of staff is expected to grow further over the coming years. It is a dynamic and innovative working place, where staff feel empowered and committed to achieve the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives. CINEA operates based on key values of Professionalism, Respect for diversity and Integrity.

More information on CINEA

Website: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/index_en

Twitter: @cinea_eu

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3wtAjwd

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDic9AVxO1PP1SqoKbHMwrA

ERCEA

The European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) is dedicated to selecting and funding the excellent ideas that have not happened yet, and the scientists that are dreaming them up.

In practice, the ERCEA supports the work of the European Research Council (ERC), the first pan-European funding body sustaining excellent frontier research in Europe, set up by the European Union in February 2007. The ERCEA was created in order to manage the Ideas Programme, part of the EU’s Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7). Its mandate was renewed until 2024, for the implementation of part of the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020). The ERCEA will also be responsible for managing the ERC programme under Horizon Europe (2021-2027).

In order to achieve the ERC’s objectives, the ERCEA evaluates and manages several frontier research grants: ’Starting Grants’ targeted at early-career, emerging research leaders, ’Consolidator Grants’, aimed at excellent researchers who are already independent, ’Advanced Grants’ that support established top researchers, as well as ’Synergy Grants’ for groups of two to four Principal Investigators to jointly address ambitious research projects. The grants fund projects in any field of research, with excellence as the sole selection criterion. In addition, ERCEA manages “Proof of Concept” grants, which support the innovation potential of ideas arising from ERC funded projects. Since the creation of the Agency, some 10,000 top researchers at various stages of their careers have been supported. Under Horizon Europe, the ERCEA has a total budget of some € 16 billion.

The ERCEA is dedicated to excellence in research and in all aspects of its work, and seeks to attract professional, highly motivated staff with the right qualifications and expertise. The working environment at ERCEA is modern, dynamic, inspiring and engaging. The Agency is situated in the heart of Brussels and expected to count a total staff of 531 by the end of 2021.

More information on ERCEA:

Website: https://erc.europa.eu/

Twitter: @ERC_Research

LinkedIn: https://be.linkedin.com/company/european-research-council

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_ZP8emRUxHXv-JU4PZp8g

REA

European Research Executive Agency (REA) is a multicultural and dynamic body, originally set up by the Commission in 2007 for implementing parts of the Seventh EU Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (FP7). In 2013, the Commission extended REA’s mandate and delegated additional Horizon 2020 actions.

The Commission has renewed and extended REA’s mandate for the new long-term budget (2021-2027). REA remains focussed on research activities with the Horizon Europe programme at the heart of its portfolio. The modified delegation was adopted on 12 February 2021[1] and took effect on 1 April 2021.

Mandated by the European Commission to support the EU Research and Innovation policy, REA funds high-quality research and innovation projects that generate knowledge for the benefit of society. Accordingly, the REA’s responsibilities are to:

• Manage research projects supported under Horizon Europe, the world’s largest framework programme for research and innovation to date, running from 2021 to 2027;
• Manage research projects supported under Horizon 2020, the previous framework programme for research and innovation (2014-2020);
• Implement the European Union programmes Promotion of agricultural products and Research Fund for Coal and Steel, as well as ongoing projects funded under the EU’s 2014-2020 budget;
• Assist funding and tender applicants, beneficiaries and independent experts;
• Manage the European Commission’s Research Enquiry Service, which answers questions from grant applicants, EU-funded researchers and the public;
• Support independent experts evaluating project proposals competing for EU research funds;
• Assist with the legal and financial validation of all European Union programme grants and procurement operations directly funded by the European Commission.

More information on REA

Website: European Research Executive Agency | European Commission (europa.eu)

Twitter: European Research Executive Agency (@REA_research) / Twitter

LinkedIn: European Research Executive Agency (REA) | LinkedIn

Job Description

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Budget Manager and under the overall guidance of the Head of Unit, the jobholder is responsible for contributing to the sound financial management of the delegated programs through an effective planning and monitoring of the operational budget and financial activities of the programs delegated to the Agency. The jobholder also takes part in coordination activities and replaces, when needed, the Senior Budget Manager.

Main duties

• Contribute to the planning and preparation of the operational budget managed by the Agency using different IT tools;
• Act as budget planner in the e-grants suite Analyse budget consumption and provide advice on the optimal consumption of budgetary resources.

• Draft procedures and notes on budget and financial issues for the efficient management of the operational budget;

• Prepare regular budgetary reports for the Management, including ad hoc reports;
• Provide support to the unit management incl. the financial sectors through reports and advise on the optimal implementation of the operational budget under their responsibility.

• Act as backup of the Senior Budget Manager and maintain interactive communication with all actors. Ensure close relation with the relevant staff in Agency, with the parent DG’s, and if necessary with other Commission services, on budget issues including budget planning, reporting and allocation and/or transfer of credits;
• Represent the Unit in internal and external working groups.

Qualifications and Experience Required

A. Eligibility criteria

• Having passed a CAST in the grade for which you are applying* Or be registered in the EPSO/CAST/P/2/2017 calls** before applying;
• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma Or, When in a member state of the European Union access to a profession of an equivalent level to function group IV is by State examination, professional training or any other equivalent procedure, the authority authorized to conclude contract of employment may agree to recognize this qualification as being equivalent to a university degree;
• Thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union and a satisfactory knowledge of another one to the extent necessary to perform his/her duties.

• Candidates must be included in the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) database for contract agents in function group IV and have successfully passed the EPSO selection tests for that function group. Please note that candidates who are on a valid EPSO list published in 2010 (CAST2010) are eligible on the condition they have successfully passed the

complementary tests (DB3), as an Annex to the selection procedure CAST2010. The candidates concerned are invited to consult the letter they received from EPSO for further information.

** In the context of the call for expression of interest[2] EPSO/CAST/P/2/2017 procedure, your application will be considered only if not outdated and you are available to be flagged for the EPSO testing request during the screening phase of this selection process[3]. The pre-selected candidates will be requested by the Agency to undergo the EPSO tests. Only candidates that have successfully passed the EPSO CAST selection will then be invited for an interview.

In addition, in order to be eligible, a candidate must:

• be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union;
• be entitled to his/her full rights as citizen;
• meet the appropriate character reference as to his/her suitability for the performance of his/her duties;
• have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service, and;
• be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.

Please note that only candidates that comply with the Eligibility criteria will be considered for further steps of this Selection procedure.

B. Selection criteria

Essential:

• Three years of professional experience acquired in positions related to the profile of the post;
• Knowledge of ABAC, e-grants suite, Qliksense and Business Objects being an asset;
• Very good knowledge of financial, budgetary and accounting matters and tools;
• Very good command of the English language in the technical fields concerned (C1)

Advantageous:

• Experience with the follow-up of budgetary matters preferably in an EU Institution or any public organisation;

Personal qualities essential for the position (evaluated during the interview):

• High degree of organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure
• Good interpersonal, problem-solving, drafting and communication skills
• Proven ability to work as a team member
• Dynamic, pro-active and service-oriented approach
• Ability to appreciate and follow priorities, sense of initiative and capability to take up responsibility.

After having been preselected by the Selection Committee, the Agency will invite for an interview the best candidates that have already passed a CAST in the relevant function group or that have successfully passed the EPSO CAST selectionEPSO/CAST/P/2/2017with amaximum of 30 candidates.

Appointment and Conditions of Employment

The jobholder will be assigned on the basis of a shortlist proposed by the selection committee.

The jobholder will be recruited as contract staff, in function group IV, pursuant to Article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities (CEOS).

The basic monthly salary within this function group will depend on the number of years of relevant professional experience at appropriate level (in function group IV, either grade 13, grade 14 or grade 16).

The jobholder will serve a probation period of nine months.

The initial contract will be for a duration of one (1) year. Afterwards, the contract may be renewed for one (1) additional year. If the contract is renewed again, it shall be concluded for an indefinite period.

The place of employment will be Brussels where the Agency has its activities.

For reasons related to the Agency’s operational requirements, the candidate will be required to be available at short notice.

For further information on the legal framework of contract agents see the web site of the Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security (DG HR) on the internet at

http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF

Equal opportunities

The European Union institutions apply a policy of equal opportunities and accept applications without discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Application Procedure

For applications to be valid, candidates must submit:

• a detailed curriculum vitae, ideally in pdf EU CV format[4];
• a letter of motivation (2 pages maximum), including his/her views on the proposed position, and an explanation of how selection criteria are met;

Your EPSO application ID number and the reference of CAST must be mentioned in your CV and motivation letter.

Please note that the motivation letter forms an essential basis for the pre-selection decision.

Applications must be submitted through the eRecruitment system on our website at

https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/about-us/job-opportunities_en

Closing date: Applications must be sent no later than 30 July 2021 midnight.

Supporting documents showing evidence of the provided information may be requested at a later stage. No documents will be sent back to candidates.

Candidates are invited to apply in English to facilitate the selection process.

In no circumstances should candidates approach the Selection Committee themselves, either directly or indirectly concerning this recruitment. The authority habilitated to conclude contracts reserves itself the right to disqualify any candidate who disregards these instructions.

Selection Procedure

A - Written test (30 min)

A case study in English designed to test:

• your knowledge in the field of the profile,
• your ability to understand, analyse and summarise,
• your drafting ability.

This test will be marked out of 40 (pass mark: 20).

B – Oral test (30 min)

Interview with a Selection Committee in English to assess:

• your suitability to carry out the duties of a Budget Manager;
• your specialist knowledge in the budget and financial management;
• your communication, inter-personal and problem-solving skills;
• your general knowledge about the Agency and related policies
• Your motivation and ability to adjust to working as a contract agent in a multicultural environment

This test will be marked out of 100 (pass mark: 50).

Both the oral and written tests will be combined on a total of 140. Minimum mark: 84 out of 140.

Applicants receiving at least the minimum score (84 out 140), all tests combined, will be included on a reserve list of suitable candidates. Please note that inclusion in the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment.

The Agency may have a second interview with the candidates in the reserve list.

Information to candidates

A Selection Committee will be appointed for this selection procedure and will be composed of at least one member from each Agency involved in the joint selection procedure. In addition, one member of the Selection Committee will represent CINEA Staff Committee and one member will represent the CINEA Human Resources sector.

An acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to all candidates by email to confirm the reception of their application.

All candidates will be informed in due time about the status of their application, i.e. whether they are invited for the selection phase described above or not. These notifications will be sent via email only.

A candidate may request clarifications about the processing of his/her application by sending an email quoting the reference of the vacancy notice concerned, to the following address: CINEA-HR-RECRUITMENT@ec.europa.eu.

Means of Redress

A. Request for review

Candidates may request a review of any decision taken by the Selection Committee that establishes their results and/or determines whether they can proceed to the next stage of the selection procedure or are excluded. Requests for review may be based on:

• a material irregularity in the selection process; and/or
• non-compliance, by the Selection Committee, with the Staff Regulations, the vacancy notice of the selection procedure, its annexes and/or case law.

Candidates are not allowed to challenge the validity of the Selection Committee’s assessment of the quality of their performance in a test or the relevance of qualifications and professional experience. This assessment is a value judgment made by the Selection Committee and disagreement with the Selection Committee’s evaluation of tests, experience and/or qualifications does not prove that it has made an error. Requests for review submitted on this basis will not lead to a positive outcome.

Candidates may ask for a request for review within 15 calendar days of the date on the email notifying the rejection of his/her application, indicating clearly the decision that he/she wish to contest and on what grounds. The request should be addressed to the Chairman of the Selection Committee, quoting the number of the selection procedure concerned at the following address: CINEA-HR-RECRUITMENT@ec.europa.eu. Requests received after the deadline will not be taken into account.

Candidates who asked for a request for review will receive an acknowledgment of receipt within 15 working days. The Selection Committee will analyse and decide on the request and candidates will receive a reasoned reply as soon as possible.

B. Other forms of contestation

Candidates may address an administrative complaint under Article 90 of the Staff Regulations to the Director of CINEA acting as the appointing authority.

Candidates may submit a complaint against a decision, or lack thereof, that directly and immediately affects their legal status as a candidate, only if the rules governing the selection procedure have clearly been infringed. The Director of CINEA cannot overturn a value judgment made by a Selection Committee.

Candidates may submit their administrative complaint by contacting CINEA within three months of notification of the contested decision or of the date by which a decision should have been made.

The request, indicating clearly the decision that the candidate wish to contest and on what grounds and quoting the number of the selection procedure concerned, should be sent to the following address: CINEA-HR-RECRUITMENT@ec.europa.eu. Requests received after the deadline will not be taken into account.

Candidates may submit a judicial appeal to the General Court, under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations.

Note that appeals against decisions taken by CINEA’s appointing authority rather than by the Selection Committee will not be admissible before the General Court unless an administrative complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations has first been made (see section B.1 Administrative complaints).

For the arrangements for judicial appeals please consult the website of the General Court (http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/).

Candidates, like all EU citizens and residents, may submit a complaint to the Ombudsman. Before submitting a complaint to the Ombudsman, candidates must first make the appropriate administrative approaches to the institutions and bodies concerned (see section B.1 Administrative complaints).

Making a complaint to the Ombudsman does not extend the deadlines for lodging administrative complaints or judicial appeals.

For the arrangements for complaints to the Ombudsman please consult the website of the European Ombudsman (http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/).

Data Protection

The purpose of processing of the data submitted by candidates is to manage the applications in view of a possible pre-selection and recruitment at the Agency. The personal information requested from candidates will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 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.

In this regard, candidates are invited to carefully read the Data Protection Notice adopted by each agency and here attached.