Scientific Data Steward

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) , based in Parma, Italy, is looking for a Scientific Data Steward (Temporary Agent, Grade AD6).
Please send us your application by no later than 16 September 2024 at 23:59 (local time), following the instructions in the ANNEX.
The purpose of this call is to establish a talent pool (reserve list) that may be used for the recruitment of staff when a position becomes available and will be valid until 31/12/2025 . The validity of the talent pool may be extended.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?
Are you enthusiastic about dealing with data and interested in working within a scientific environment? EFSA is seeking Scientific Data Stewards experienced in collecting, collating, and validating scientific data and are able to interact with stakeholders, manage contracts and coordinate meetings to support the risk assessment process and decision making in EFSA as well as establishing and implementing data governance best practices.
Your key responsibilities
Work closely with Member State data providers, statisticians, working group experts, and researchers to collect/collate and validate data from a wide range of sources that is fit-for-purpose for EFSA's risk assessment, prepare related training material, reporting guidelines, and ensure service desk support.
Support the requirements elicitation in the development of standardized frameworks for data collection, data management, and data analysis (processes and procedures).
Improve methods and support the implementation of tools for data collection, data integration, data transformation, controlled terminologies, and metadata management.
Perform activities of processing, cleansing, and verifying the integrity of data used for analysis and reporting and curate data and metadata as necessary.
Support the implementation of data analyses, dashboards, and solutions across the organization on data available at the Agency to provide insight into aspects of food and feed safety for risk managers, scientists, and/or consumers.
Support open data initiatives whilst ensuring the protection of personal and confidential data as well as the implementation of proper data access control mechanisms.
Define, manage, and monitor grant and procurement contracts relating to evidence and data management.
Organize, manage, and coordinate meetings with internal and external stakeholders, summarizing their interactions and drafting their minutes.
Manage specific projects from inception to delivery.
Participate in cross-functional team meetings and provide in-depth data insights into complex business problems that can be approached with advanced analytics.
WHY EFSA?
You will play an active role in an organization that makes a difference to the lives of 445 million EU citizens. EFSA employs over 565 staff members, and its Scientific Committee and Panels engage highly qualified and independent scientific experts. Every position within EFSA plays an important part in creating an inspirational environment in which to work and develop.
EFSA's standards and values are driven by ethics and integrity and all staff is expected to act in a manner consistent with its principles, including fairness, transparency, and impartiality in work practices and conduct towards other people.
EFSA is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates without any distinction on grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, impairment and disability, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief. All EFSA staff is committed to creating an open and inclusive environment.
As an EFSA staff member, you will have the chance to make a difference to European food safety working in an international and dynamic environment. You will also be able to participate in several valuable networking opportunities across Europe. You will be joining EFSA at an exciting time as we are implementing the EFSA Strategy 2027, aligned with the Transparency Regulation, which increased EFSA's responsibilities towards EU citizens. The following are the objectives of the Strategy 2027:
Deliver trustworthy scientific advice and communication of risks from farm to fork.
Ensure preparedness for future risk analysis needs.
Empower people and ensure organizational agility.
Parma is a lively city of around 200,000 inhabitants located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna and ranked as one of the most livable cities in Italy. Its center is rich in art, with architecture from different periods and plenty of parks. Parma is famous for its food, surrounding picturesque countryside, and medieval castles. It is strategically located between major cities like Milano and Bologna and within reachable distance from ski resorts, seaside, and mountains.
The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent Grade AD6 with the basic salary starting from €6,231 monthly, subject to an annual review of remuneration provided for in Article 64 and Article 65(1) of the Staff Regulations.
In addition to the basic salary, EFSA offers a range of benefits:
Various allowances to which the successful jobholder may be entitled, such as a household allowance, expatriation allowance (16% of basic salary), dependent child allowance, and education allowance. The salary is subject to a Community tax deducted at source and staff members are exempt from national taxation.
Wide range of leaves (e.g., annual leave, parental leave, public holidays) and flexible working hours. Besides working in EFSA's modern headquarters located in the heart of Parma, staff members are also offered the possibility to telework.
A comprehensive welfare package including pension scheme, medical, accident and occupational disease insurance coverage, unemployment and invalidity allowance, and travel insurance.
You must satisfy the following requirements on the closing date for submission of your application:
I. Eligibility criteria
1. General requirements
Be national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland or Norway;
Enjoy full rights as a citizen;
Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service;
Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post;
Have a thorough knowledge of one of the EU official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language;
Meet the character requirements for the duties involved;
2. Qualifications
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma.
3. Experience
In addition to the above, at least three (3) years of relevant and proven professional experience gained after obtaining the diploma.
In case you do not fulfill all the eligibility criteria, your application will not be taken into consideration.
II. Selection criteria
The following competencies will be assessed throughout the different phases of the selection procedure. Candidates are also expected to demonstrate effective communication in both spoken and written English as well as strong motivation for the position.
At least 3 (three) years of professional experience in collection, collation, validation, curation, extraction and analysis of data, preferably in the area of chemical or biological data, food consumption data, food composition data, environmental data, or data from human/animal studies.
At least 3 (three) years of professional experience in supporting data providers and stakeholders on data preparation and data collection, work effectively and inclusively with them conveying scientific concepts and/or regulatory requirements (both orally and in writing), drafting clear and concise guidance documents, manuals, technical specifications and provide service desk support.
At least 1 (one) year of professional experience in data stewardship, data cleansing, data validation to ensure high-quality data, contributing to the development of quality standards for data collection and use of related standard terminologies and ensuring correct access to/protection of personal/confidential data.
Proven use of data management/analysis software, statistical software and programming languages used in analytics and data visualisation tools (e.g., SAS, MicroStrategy, Power BI, R-Shiny, Python, R, Spark, or equivalent technologies).
Experience in successfully managing projects or coordinating activities, preferably in the context of data management and data stewardship activities.
i. Deal with ambiguity : Able to work constructively within unexpected and unpredictable situations and show resilience and composure, even in difficult or adverse circumstances; able to decide and act without having the total picture; accept constructive feedback in a positive manner;
ii. Demonstrate political savvy and strategic agility : Look beyond the current situation and visualize what the future can bring with a keen sense for arising opportunities and good understanding of how and when to best pursue them; able to think in a creative and innovative way;
iii. Focus on stakeholder needs : Committed to meet the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and gain their trust and respect;
iv. Plan and measure for results : Set ambitious goals that exceed the targets and create plans to achieve them; ensure an efficient and responsible planning and management of resources;
v. Work with others : Work confidently within a group and contribute to achieve the common goals, understanding own role and how it supports the team and the organization; able to cooperate, listen actively, manage conflicts and motivate colleagues.
NOTE
Candidates are invited to read the ANNEX that represents an integral part of this vacancy and provides information on how to complete the application, the steps of the selection process, the rules on independence, and appeal procedures. Selection steps applicable to this selection procedure: following the CVs evaluation phase the best qualified candidates will be directly invited to the written test and interview with the selection board.
[1] Before appointment, a successful candidate shall be medically examined by an institution's medical officer in order that the European Food Safety Authority may be satisfied that the candidate fulfills the requirement of article 28(e) of the Staff Regulations of the Officials of the European Communities.
[2] Any academic qualification mentioned in the application form shall be duly supported by evidence (original or certified copies of e.g., diplomas, certification, etc.) Only qualifications issued by EU Member State authorities and qualifications recognised as equivalent by the relevant EU Member State authorities will be accepted. In instances where diplomas are obtained from a non-EU Member State, EFSA may request the candidate to provide a relevant document of comparability issued by a recognised authority.
[3] Any professional experience mentioned in the application form shall be duly supported by evidence (original or certified copies of e.g., contracts, payslips etc.). Professional experience shall be taken into account from the date on which the person fulfills the minimum qualifications for engagement. In order for your professional experience to be taken into consideration, it must be supported by relevant documents attesting an actual work relationship defined by the following elements: real, genuine work; on a paid basis; as employee (any type of contract), or provider of a service. Any given period may be counted only once (in order to be calculated as eligible, years of studies or professional experience to be taken into account shall not overlap with other periods of studies or professional experience). Professional activities pursued part-time will be calculated pro-rata on the basis of the certified percentage of full-time hours worked. PhDs acquired in a field relevant to the job description can be counted as professional experience up to 3 years. Paid traineeships are counted as working experience. Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate(s) will need to provide copies of documents proving the candidate's work experience.

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