Human Resources Advisor

This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of four years.

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy or ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom (first post) or ESA Headquarters, Paris, France (second post)

HR Advisors provide individual support and advice to their client group, with an emphasis on people management and talent development. The role of the HR Advisor includes promoting a positive work environment and the Agency’s HR management practices.
You will take the lead in recruitment activities and will act as the HR representative in the associated interviews.
You will advise staff on mobility, career management, and the development of skills and competences. You will also provide support to staff and managers for all aspects of performance management.
Together with the Business Partner, you will support staff planning activities and implementation tasks. You will also play a key role in change management initiatives in close collaboration with your client group.
HR Advisors play an important role in the ongoing improvement of HR policies and processes. You will be required to draw upon your expertise to contribute to or lead improvements or new HR initiatives.
HR Advisors coordinate their methodologies and activities through a network of HR Advisors. They work in close coordination with the other areas of the HR Department, the local HR Manager, the HR Support Services, such as Staff Administration and Recruitment, the Competence and Policy Centre, welfare officers, and ESA medical staff.

Regular travel will be required.

A master’s degree with a specialization in HR management and/or personal development is required for this post.

We are looking for new colleagues with at least four years of professional HR experience and a solid understanding of best practices. An understanding and experience of the applicable legal frameworks affecting HR, such as labour law and social security law, is desirable.
Significant experience of recruitment in an engineering, scientific or technical environment is necessary. Qualifications in coaching or mediation would be an asset.
You have strong interpersonal skills and a high level of skill in oral and written communication.
You are capable of working in collaboration and partnership with clients and exercise discretion and sensitivity when dealing with confidential information.
You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can work autonomously.
You will be required to complete from three to six months of training at our largest centre, ESTEC, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

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.

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, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States.

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.