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1. GSA AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The European GNSS Agency (GSA) is responsible for the operations and service provision for the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) EGNOS and Galileo. By developing a new generation of GNSS, Europe is laying the foundation for new high-technology industry development, leading to job creation and economic growth. These European flagship space programmes, which embody what can be achieved when Europe works together, are already bringing real benefits to people and business in Europe and around the world.

For more information on the GSA and the European satellite navigation programmes, click here.

The Market Development Department is responsible for understanding the users, the market and the user-related technologies (for example via the publication of the Market Report, the User Technology Report and the User Consultation Platform). It fosters the creation of European space services market demand and creates a competitive EU offer of applications and products that answer the demand, in particular via the Research and Innovation tools, delegated by the European Commission, and fostering the EU industry and SMEs.

The Market Development Department is organised by vertical market segments (e.g. Road, Rail, Maritime, LBS, Geomatics, Agriculture, Governmental etc.) that require specific expertise, supported by horizontal functions, e.g. the Research and Innovation coordination.

In addition, GSA is planned to become the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) under which it will develop and take on board new tasks: among them the market development, user uptake and application development for Copernicus, the Earth Observation programme of the EU, and the user coordination for the EU satellite telecommunication program GovSatCom. In this context, the Agency will implement a set of initiatives to support entrepreneurship, focusing on start-ups and SMEs. This will require new skills and creative approach to develop apps and solution building on space data. 

2. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Market Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist will work on the new entrepreneurship initiative, focusing on innovation activities making best use of EU space technologies, supporting start-ups, SMEs and entrepreneurship, from early stage to scaling up. We are looking for three profiles:

• Market Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist for Start-ups support (profile 1)
• Market Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist for Apps design and development (profile 2)
• Market Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist for New technologies (profile 3)

When applying, please clearly indicate for which profile(s) you apply in section 7. Motivation letter.

All profiles will have the following non-exhaustive list of tasks and responsibilities:

• Understand and monitor the entrepreneurship and start-ups scenario in the EU;
• Analyse and update the market trends and the specific role of EU space technologies in highly dynamic application areas with a strong potential for entrepreneurship;
• Connect start-ups and new ventures with large potential customers in the private and public sectors, providing the first opportunities for the innovations to be deployed in commercial set up.

Specific tasks and responsibilities for profile 1 (Start-ups support):

• Propose creative measures to seed the innovative solutions resulting from Research & Innovation actions, scaling them up to become new commercial products and/or new companies;
• Mentor the start-ups and new ventures to conclude a commercial feasibility of the innovation;
• Analyse the access to finance opportunities for start-ups and design specific network of financing actors (e.g. network of Venture Capitalists) focused on the EU space downstream applications, leveraging private and public financial instruments, including EU initiatives.

Specific tasks and responsibilities for profile 2 (Apps design and development):

• Guide the start-ups and entrepreneurs toward the optimal design and architecture of their Apps and solutions;
• Mentor the start-ups and new ventures on aspects related to app development, such as graphic design, back-end and front-end development, etc.;
• Support the organisation of activities targeting mobile application developers and other entrepreneurs, such as hackathons, prize competitions, start-up support actions etc.

Specific tasks and responsibilities for profile 3 (New technologies):

• Analyse and constantly monitor emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum and connectivity, automation, internet of things, big data, new concepts of mobility, etc.;
• Find opportunities for start-ups and entrepreneurs creating synergies between the EU space data and the above emerging technologies;
• Provide inputs to the entrepreneurship initiatives in terms of R&I priorities.

Furthermore, the Market Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialist will contribute to other tasks of the Department as deemed necessary and to the overall GSA processes such as quality management and reporting.

3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The selection procedure is open to applicants who satisfy the following eligibility criteria, on the closing date for application:

1. Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies[5] of at least three years attested by a diploma
2. Be a national of a Member State of the European Union[6] 
3. Be entitled to his or her full rights as citizen
4. Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service
5. Meet the character requirements for the duties involved[7]
6. Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union[8] and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the European Union to the extent necessary for the performance of his/her duties
7. Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post[9]

Contract agents from GSA and other EU agencies are also invited to apply in accordance with the following GSA rules: https://www.gsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/conditions_of_employment_of_contract_staff_ca.pdf

[5] Only study titles that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are subject to the equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration.
[6] In accordance with the Article 127, paragraph 7(c) of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ 2019/C 384 I/01).
[7] Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a Police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record.
[8] The languages of the EU are: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, Irish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish.
[9] Before a successful candidate can be appointed, s/he will be medically examined by a selected medical service so that the Agency will be satisfied that s/he fulfils the requirement of Article 28(e) of the Staff Regulation of Officials of the European Communities.

4. SELECTION CRITERIA

All eligible applications, according to the afore-mentioned criteria, will be assessed against the requirements listed below. 

The Selection Board responsible for this selection will determine the criteria to be assessed in the various phases of the selection procedure (assessment of the application forms, interview and written test) prior to being granted access to the names of the applicants. All essential criteria will be assessed during the applications evaluation phase.

Non-compliance with any of the essential criteria may result in the exclusion of the candidate from the selection process. Advantageous criteria constitute additional assets and will not result in exclusion, if not fulfilled.

When filling the online application, candidates are expected to include elements that demonstrate that their profile matches the requirements below.

Essential criteria

1. University degree in a relevant field, e.g. Information Technology, Engineering, etc.;
2. Experience in business development/commercialisation of technological products/solutions;
3. Excellent command of both written and spoken English;

Advantageous criteria

1. Proven experience in:

• working in or with start-ups, SMEs ecosystem (either creating a start-up or engaged in supporting start-ups in their market entry) – profile 1;
• Apps development and architecture design – profile 2;
• at least one emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, quantum and connectivity, automation, internet of things, big data, new concepts of mobility – profile 3;

Behavioural competencies

1. Motivation;
2. Creativity and innovation;
3. Excellent communication skills;
4. Adaptability and flexibility;
5. Excellent organisational skills and problem-solving mindset.

5. SELECTION PROCEDURE

The current vacancy is for three posts and establishment of a reserve list.

The selection procedure includes the following steps:

• Applications must be complete and successfully submitted via the e-recruitment tool within the deadline set for the vacancy notice.
• For each selection procedure, the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts of the Agency appoints a Selection Board. The Board’s deliberations are confidential and applicants are strictly forbidden to contact its members.
• An automatic screening of all valid applications will be carried out by means of the e-recruitment tool in order to verify their compliance with the eligibility criteria. The eligibility screening will be verified and endorsed by the Selection Board responsible for the procedure.
• All eligible applications will be then evaluated by the Board based on the selection criteria defined in this vacancy notice.
• The candidates whose applications rank among the best-qualified in accordance with the selection criteria (the minimum threshold is 65% of the total points), may be contacted to verify (through a video-recorded interview) their studies, professional experience and/or other knowledge and competencies as indicated in their application. This step in pre-selecting the most suitable candidates does not, however, entitle candidates to be invited for an interview.
• The best-qualified candidates, those who obtained the highest scoring within the evaluation, will be short-listed for an interview and a written test.
• Prior to the day of the interview candidates will be requested to send photocopies of all the supporting documents for their educational qualifications and employment necessary to prove that they meet the eligibility criteria. GSA has the right to disqualify applicants who fail to submit all the required documents.
• During the interview, the Selection Board will examine each candidate’s profile and will assess their relevancy for this post. Shortlisted candidates will be also required to undergo a computer-based written test relevant to the job content (the minimum threshold for this test is 50% of the total points allocated for it).
• Interviews and written test will be held in English, however knowledge of another EU languages may also be tested. Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of a second EU language in line with Article 28(f) of the Staff Regulations.
• All candidates short-listed for an interview may also be requested to complete an online Business Attitude Questionnaire.
• As a result of the interviews, the Selection Board will recommend the most suitable candidate(s) for this post to be placed on a reserve list. The minimum threshold to be placed on the reserve list is 65% of the total points.
• The Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts will ultimately decide on the successful candidate to be appointed to the post.
• The established reserve list may also be used for recruitment of similar posts depending on the Agency’s needs. Where a similar post becomes available, the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts may select applicants from the list according to their profile in relation to the specific requirements of the post to be filled. However, inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee employment.
• The validity of the reserve list is indicated in the vacancy notice and its duration might be extended if deemed necessary.
• Normally, the recruitment procedure can take up to 6 months from the date on which a position is first advertised to the final offer being made.
• If, at any stage of the procedure, it is established that any of the information the candidate has provided is incorrect, the candidate in question will be disqualified.

Indicative date for the interview and written test: July 2020. The date might be modified depending on the availability of the Selection Board members.

Candidates are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the Selection Board members, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to disqualification from the selection procedure.

6. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

In order to be considered for this position, candidates need to create an account by registering via the GSA e-recruitment tool.

Only applications submitted via the e-recruitment tool will be accepted. Applications sent via email or post will not be taken into consideration.

Multiple applications received for the same position via different accounts will lead to the exclusion of the applicant from the selection procedure.

Important: the information provided by candidates in their online application constitutes the solely basis for the assessment of the eligibility and selection criteria. Therefore, they are invited to carefully read the requirements and to provide the relevant information in such detail that would allow this assessment. Particular attention should be paid to information on the education and professional experience, in particular exact dates, description of responsibilities and duties carried out.

All sections of the application should be completed in English in order to facilitate the selection procedure.

In order to be considered, applications must be received by the closing date indicated in the vacancy notice.

Candidates are advised to submit the application well ahead of the deadline in order to avoid potential problems during the final days before the closing date of applications’ submissions. The Agency cannot be held responsible for any last-minute malfunctioning of the e-recruitment tool due to heavy traffic on the website.

Please consult the e-recruitment guideline for instructions on completing the application.

this job offer is not open for applications