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Dr Susan Steele is Executive Director of the European Fisheries Control Agency taking office on 1 September 2021. She has a solid background in fisheries management and control. She has been Executive Chair and CEO of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority of Ireland since 2013. Before that, she was Head of Innovation at the Seafood Development Centre from 2009 to 2013 and Head of Aquaculture and Business Training in Ireland´s Seafood Development Board from 2006 to 2009.
Dr. Steele was born in Ireland and has spent her entire career working with the oceans. Dr. Steele studied undergraduate marine biology followed by a PhD in marine biology. She also has an MBA and a masters in Adult education. She is an international chartered director as well as holding an executive certificate in public leadership from Harvard.
What is a European Union agency?
A European agency is a body of the European Union distinct from the EU institutions, such as the Council, Parliament and Commission, and it has its own legal personality. Each EU agency is established by the EU legislature in order to deal with a very specific technical, scientific or managerial task.
At present, there are over 40 established European Union agencies. The EFCA in Vigo is one of the European Union agencies, located in Spain.
Why has the EFCA been established?
In the framework of the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) in 2002, it was concluded that the CFP had been poorly implemented and that control measures were not systematically implemented by Member States. Fishermen felt as though they were not being treated on an equal footing when operating in European Union waters, and sometimes they even felt discriminated against. The fishing industry pleaded for reinforcement of control and enforcement arrangements in order to ensure a level playing field at the European Union level.
In fact, the European fishing industry felt that the European Union institutions should assume direct responsibility for the proper implementation of the CFP and establish European controls.
From an institutional point of view, the Commission should not carry out tasks in the place of Member States and did not have the means to do so. Therefore, it proposed to establish an agency independent from Member States and the Commission which should organise operational cooperation between Member States and coordinate the deployment of control means pooled by Member States. The agency, together with the national specialised services of the Member States, should ensure uniform and effective application of the rules of the CFP.
How is the EFCA organised?
The Administrative Board, in which each Member State nominates a member and the European Commission nominates six members including the chairman, adopts, each year, an annual work programme and the budget of the agency. The executive director, nominated by the board, inter alia, has to implement the annual work programme and budget, ensure the organisation and functioning of the agency, adopt decisions concerning the responsibilities of the agency with respect to its mission and organise an effective monitoring system in order to be able to compare the agency’s achievements with its operational objectives. He or she is also the chairperson of the Advisory Board in which one representative of each advisory council is sitting. The Advisory Board elects one representative who may participate in the meetings of the Administrative Board without the right to vote.
The work programmes of the EFCA as well as its budget are published on its website.
Where do EFCA resources come from?
The budget of the EFCA (including the establishment plan of its staff) is authorised by the EU Budgetary Authority and is an integral part of the European Union budget. In the case where the EFCA provides contractual services to Member States, it receives the corresponding funding from those Member States concerned.
Why is the EFCA established in Vigo?
The seat was laid down in the Council regulation establishing the EFCA, in line with the agreement on the seats of agencies reached by the Heads of State or Government in December 2003.
Vigo is the biggest fishing port in Europe in terms of landings of fishery products. It is, therefore, a very appropriate place for the seat of the EFCA to be located.
How many persons are working at the EFCA?
EFCA staff includes 104 employees (with 74 Temporary Agents, and 24 Contract Agents) and 6 Seconded National Experts from 18 different EU Member States (2022 Annual Report).
How does EFCA cooperate/contribute to the EU Coast Guard function?
Amendments to their Founding Regulations published on 16 September 2016 establish that the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) shall cooperate, each within their mandate, to support the national authorities carrying out coastguard functions.
How many persons are working at the EFCA?
There are 64 staff members and eight seconded national experts from 18 different EU Member States working at the EFCA.
How does EFCA cooperate/contribute to the EU Coast Guard function?
Amendments to their Founding Regulations published on 16 September 2016 establish that the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) shall cooperate, each within their mandate, to support the national authorities carrying out coastguard functions.
EN FR DE ES BG CS DA EL ET FI HR HU IT LT LV MT NL PL PT RO SK SL SV
L-Aġenzija Ewropea għall-Kontroll tas-Sajd hija Aġenzija tal-Unjoni Ewropea. Il-missjoni tal-aġenzija hija li tippromwovi l-ogħla standards komuni għall-kontroll, l-ispezzjoni u s-sorveljanza skont il-PKS. L-EFCA ser tiffunzjona fl-ogħla livell ta' eċċellenza u trasparenza bil-ħsieb li tiġi żviluppata l-kunfidenza u kooperazzjoni neċessarja tal-partijiet kollha involuti u, għaldaqstant, tiġi assigurata l-effikaċja u l-effiċjenza tal-operazzjonijet tagħha.
Il-gvernijiet tal-Unjoni Ewropea qablu li jistabbilixxu l-aġenzija fir-riforma tal-2002 bħala parti mill-ħidma biex tidħol kultura taʼ konformità fil-qasam tas-sajd madwar l-Ewropa. FʼApril 2005m adottaw il-leġiżlazzjoni neċessarja bir-Regolament tal-Kunsill (KE) Nru 768/2005. L-irwol ewlieni tiegħu huwa li tiġi organizzata l-koordinazzjoni u l-kooperazzjoni bejn l-attivitajiet nazzjonali taʼ kontroll u spezzjoni biex ir-regoli tas-CFP ikunu rrispettati u applikati rispettivament.
Il-valur miżjud tax-xogħol tal-aġenzija jinsab fil-kontribuzzjoni tagħha għal kondizzjonijiet ekwivalenti ta’ kompetizzjoni madwar l-Ewropa kollha għall-industrija tas-sajd sabiex l-obbligi Ewropej ikunu osservati minn kulħadd u biex fis-settur kulħadd jiġi trattat b'mod indaqs, minn kull fejn dawn ikunu qed joperaw. It-tieni nett, dan jikkontribwixxi lejn sajd sostenibbli billi jsaħħaħ il-konformità ma' miżuri eżistenti ta' konservazzjoni u ġestjoni għall-benefiċċju ta' ġenerazzjonijiet preżenti u futuri.
L-Aġenzija, f'kooperazzjoni mal-Aġenzija Ewropea għall-Gwardja tal-Fruntiera u tal-Kosta u mal-Aġenzija Ewropea għas-Sigurtà Marittima, kull waħda skont il-mandat tagħha, tappoġġa lill-awtoritajiet nazzjonali li jwettqu funzjonijiet ta' gwardja tal-kosta.
L-EFCA għandha s-sede uffiċjali tagħha fʼVigo, fi Spanja.
THE EUROPEAN FISHERIES CONTROL AGENCY - EFCA - IS A EUROPEAN UNION BODY ESTABLISHED IN 2005 TO ORGANISE OPERATIONAL COORDINATION OF FISHERIES CONTROL AND INSPECTION ACTIVITIES BY THE MEMBER STATES AND TO ASSIST THEM TO COOPERATE SO AS TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF THE COMMON FISHERIES POLICY IN ORDER TO ENSURE ITS EFFECTIVE AND UNIFORM APPLICATION.
The Agency follows the personnel policy of the Staff Regulations applicable to European Institutions and Bodies. The successful candidates will be offered a post on the basis of the Staff Regulations applicable at the moment of contract signature.
The EFCA is organising selection procedures with a view to drawing up a reserve list with up to 10 candidates for the following position:
EFCA – TA – AD12 – 1305 – HEAD OF UNIT B – CAPACITY BUILDING
The Agency will welcome applications from highly motivated candidates to participate in the development of EFCA.
Candidates are recruited on the condition they have full rights as a citizen. Candidates must have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by laws concerning military service and meet the character requirements for the duties involved.
The EFCA has an independent and separate recruitment process from other EU institutions or other EU agencies.
In its recruitment, the EFCA only considers applications relating to positions which have been advertised, which means that unsolicited applications are not processed, with a view to maintain equal treatment of applicants. If a candidate considers that he/she has been adversely affected by a particular decision, he/she can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities and Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities to the Executive Director of the EFCA.
1. Conditions of employment
The successful applicants will be appointed as Temporary Staff members of EFCA, according to the provisions of Article 2, Title I of the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the European Communities (CEOS).
The successful candidates will be recruited in the grade mentioned in the title of the offered position.
Recruitment follows the rules and practices of EU Institutions and bodies and successful candidates are offered:
- three-year renewable contracts as Temporary Agent.
The place of employment is Vigo, Spain.
2. General conditions for applications
Candidates may apply only where meeting the following criteria for consideration of their application:
A. Conditions
You must be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union or of Iceland or Norway.
You must be entitled to your full rights as a citizen.
You must have fulfilled the obligations imposed on you by the laws concerning military service.
You must meet the character requirements relating to the position you apply for.
You must submit a completed application for each post applied for.
Candidates may apply in any of the official languages of the European Union, but it would be helpful to apply in English in order to facilitate the selection process, when the Agency follows a practise of using English as working language. However candidates are also requested to state their educational qualifications and positions held in the language of origin.
The Agency is an equal opportunity employer and accepts applications without discrimination on the grounds of age, race, political and/or religious beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, marital and/or family status and regardless any kind of disability.
If you are invited to an interview, you will be asked to submit supporting documents to prove the information provided in your application.
B. Submission of applications
Each application shall contain the following documents:
- A detailed curriculum vitae in European format (that can be obtained at the following address http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/home),
- A duly completed and signed declaration of honour ( ~87 Kb),
- A motivation letter of 2 pages maximum including a clear mention of the post applied for and of your address for correspondence and for invitation to interview.
These three documents should be sent by electronic mail only to:
EFCAVACANCIESTA@efca.europa.eu
Please mention in the subject line your last name followed by the position reference:
-> FAMILY NAME – EFCA-TA-XXX-XXXX
Please, note that only complete applications containing the above mentioned documents and information required will be taken into account.
Deadline for sending your application is: 08 September 2013
3. Selection procedure
A. Selection
A selection board is set up for the selection procedure. The principle of confidentiality is enshrined in Article 6 of Annex III to the Staff Regulations, which states that the proceedings of the selection board must be secret. It works in two ways: first, it imposes obligations to ensure equal treatment for candidates; and second, it seeks to protect the selection board to ensure that its decisions are totally impartial.
The selection board adheres strictly to the conditions of admissions laid down in the publication notice when deciding whether or not candidates are to be admitted. Candidates admitted to a previous selection procedure will not be automatically eligible.
Candidates are strictly forbidden to make any contact with the members of the selection board, either directly or indirectly. Any infringement of this rule will lead to disqualification from the selection procedure.
Should the selection board discover at any stage in the procedure that the candidate does not meet one or more of the general or special conditions for admission to the selection procedure or that the information on the application form does not correspond with the supporting documents, the candidate will be disqualified.
The selection board decides on those candidates who are admitted to the selection procedure in accordance with the requirements as specified in the publication notice. The applications of the candidates admitted to the selection procedure are reviewed and the selection board decides on those candidates who are invited to attend for interview. The interviewees will be asked to undergo a written test consisting of some/all of the following components: general aptitudes and language abilities to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties, knowledge on European integration, the institutions and the Agency and specific competencies with reference to the profile. Following the interviews, a reserve list of suitable candidates will be set up.
B. Reserve list and recruitment
Each candidate will be informed by letter whether or not he/she has been placed on the reserve list. The validity of the reserve list is up to 2 years from the date of the letter informing the candidate and may be extended. Therefore candidates whose name will be put on a reserve list could be offered a contract during this period of time. Candidates should note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. The recruitment procedure is as follows: as and when funds become available, candidates on the reserve list will be considered and the reserve list will be drawn on to fill vacancies. If a letter of intention is issued, the candidate must undergo a compulsory medical examination to establish that he/she meets the standard of physical fitness necessary to perform the duties involved and the candidate must provide original or certified copies of all relevant documents.
It should be noted that under the present Staff Regulations the retirement age for staff is:
- either automatically at the age of 65 years;
- or, at the staff member’s own request, at the age of 63 years or where the staff member is between 55 and 63 years of age and satisfies, as specified in the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants, the requirements for immediate payment of a pension.
These above conditions may change in light of revision to the Staff Regulations. The Agency employs Temporary Agents in accordance with the Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities, on 3 years' contracts with the possibility of extension for 3 further years and the possibility of a second extension which would convert these contracts into indefinite contracts.
Successful candidates who are recruited undergo an initial probation period of 6 months.
C. Pay and welfare benefits
The pay of staff members consists of a basic salary, to be weighted to compensate the Vigo cost of living and of additional allowances and deductions.
• Basic Salary: There is a basic salary scale for each grade, divided into a number of steps. Staff members progress automatically to the next step every two years until they reach the top of the scale for that grade. The basic monthly starting salary for the first step is 10.324,20 Euro and for the second step 10.758,04 Euro (figures in Euro valid as of 1 January 2011 do not include any allowances).
Temporary Agents at EFCA shall be appointed to the grade set out in the notice of the selection procedure they have passed. In accordance to Art. 32 of the Staff Regulations a Temporary Agent shall be recruited at the first step in his grade. EFCA may allow additional seniority up to a maximum of 24 months (which corresponds to one additional step above step 1) to take account of professional experience. Any duly certified professional activity connected with one of EFCA’s areas of activity shall be taken into account. Any given period may be counted only once.
Allowances: In addition to their basic salary, staff members may be entitled to various allowances, in particular an expatriation or foreign residence allowance (depending whether the candidate has left his/her Member State to take up employment with the EFCA), and family allowances (depending on personal circumstances): household allowance, dependent child allowance, preschool allowance, education allowance.
Deductions: Staff pays an EU tax at source and deductions are also made for medical insurance, pensions and unemployment insurance. Salaries are exempt from national tax.
Under certain circumstances, in particular where staff members are obliged to change their place of residence in order to take up employment, the Agency may also reimburse various expenses incurred on recruitment, notably removal expenses.
Additional information can be obtained from the web site of the EFCA. Furthermore, the following link gives you direct access to the Staff Regulations:
http://ec.europa.eu/civil_service/docs/toc100_en.pdf
Important
Please, take note that a binding commitment can only be made after verification of all conditions and will take the form of a contract signed by the Executive Director.
Please note that the selection process may take some time to be completed and that no information will be released during this period. Once a selection process has been completed, its status will be displayed on the web site of EFCA.
D. Data Protection
Please take note of the information on data protection for candidates in EFCA recruitment procedures.
4. Specific requirements and details of positions offered
Job description
Overall purpose:
The objective of the function of the Head of Unit B – Capacity Building is to manage the Unit's work and to allocate and develop its resources in order to achieve the objectives of the work programmes and plans of the Agency and with the view to the unit's mission and its contribution to the general objectives of the EFCA.
Unit B is in charge of the assistance rendered to the Commission and Member States with respect to the harmonisation of the application of Common Fisheries Policy rules, the development, coordination and implementation of the training roadmap of inspectors and exchange of experience, and the development of control and inspection techniques as well as the acquisition and development of operational information and communication data network systems and tools and other operational equipment and services as necessary for the carrying out of the operational activities listed in the Annual Work Programme.
The unit is composed of teams of managers and experts in the areas of Data Monitoring and Networks, Training, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), Pooled Capacities, Maritime Surveillance and IUU (Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing).
Function and duties:
As a member of EFCA’s middle management, the Head of Unit will manage the unit and report to the Executive Director. He or she will be responsible, in particular for:
General function and duties
- Implementing the multiannual and annual work programme actions related to Unit B – Capacity Building;
- Issuing guidelines for policies and actions to the unit on the basis of the mission statement and annual work programme of the EFCA;
- Coordinating work within the unit and with other units, and represent the unit at important meetings;
- Developing the areas of competences and ensuring the deployment and quality of services;
- Act as the main channel for the exchange of information between senior management and the various members of the unit;
- Being directly responsible for the management of the human resources of the unit and, its financial resources;
- Facilitating data exchange and promoting best practises between actors involved, in particular the Commission and the Member States, in the operations under the responsibility of the Agency;
- Reporting to the Executive Director.
Qualifications and experience required
A. Eligibility criteria
- Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years;
- At least 15 years of professional experience after having acquired the educational level as described above;
- At least 5 years of professional experience of management of human resources or financial management or both;
- Excellent command of spoken and written English, together with a good knowledge of at least one other official language of the European Union.
B. Selection criteria
I – Professional experience/knowledge related to core abilities as required for middle management functions:
- Relevant management experience
- General management skills, including:
- The ability to set and revise objectives for the unit within the overall strategic framework of the Agency;
- The ability to determine and focus on priorities and to monitor and evaluate the progress made towards achieving the objectives set, in cooperation with the members of the team;
- The ability to choose co-workers suited to the efficient pursuit of the unit’s objectives;
- The ability to empower members of the team while ensuring that they understand what is expected of them and how their work contributes to the unit’s objectives;
- The ability to motivate members of the team to achieve the desired results and also to enable them to achieve their objectives and greatest potential;
- Communication skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and present complex subjects simply, both orally and in writing, including to the members of the team;
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to deal with people effectively and courteously and to build productive and cooperative working relationships with other units and colleagues;
- Negotiation skills
- Ability to steer discussions and generate the best possible results without compromising productive working relationships with the other parties involved.
II – Essential
- Very good organisational skills;
- Competence in handling budgetary resources;
- Familiarity with administrative, financial and oversight issues, including procurements administrative and financial circuits, and experience of them;
- Experience in team management;
- Experience in project management;
- Experience in planning and monitoring activities;
- Experience in evaluation of data sets (data collection, analysis and database structures and management);
- Proficiency in applying ICT applications for planning, office works and communication.
III - Advantageous:
- Knowledge of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy
- Knowledge of the EU decision making and legislative processes and of EU legislation and policies in the field of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs;
- Relevant working experience in EU Institutions or agencies or International organizations;
- Knowledge of the Staff regulations and Financial regulations of EU Institutions or agencies;
- Knowledge of further EU official languages.
Corrigendum: Please note of the correct title of the vacancy:
"Head of Unit North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic Sea.
Note that each application shall contain the following documents:
A detailed curriculum vitae in European format that can be obtained at the following address https://europa.eu/europass/en
A duly completed and signed declaration of honour: Declaration of Honour.
A motivation letter of 2 pages maximum including a clear mention of the post applied for and of your address for correspondence and for invitation to interview.
These three documents should be sent by electronic mail only to:
EN FR DE ES BG CS DA EL ET FI HR HU IT LT LV MT NL PL PT RO SK SL SV
Byråns uppdrag är att främja högsta gemensamma standarder för kontroll, inspektion och övervakning inom ramen för den gemensamma fiskeripolitiken. EFCA kommer att arbeta med spetskompetens och öppenhet på högsta nivå för att bygga upp nödvändigt förtroende och samarbete hos alla berörda parter så att verksamheten blir effektiv och ändamålsenlig.
EU:s regeringar enades vid 2002 års reform om att inrätta byrån som ett led i strävan efter att skapa en efterlevnadskultur inom fiskerisektorn i hela Europa. I april 2005 antog de den nödvändiga lagstiftningen genom rådets förordning (EG) nr 768/2005. Byråns främsta roll är att organisera samordningen och samarbetet mellan nationella kontroll- och inspektionsverksamheter så att reglerna för den gemensamma fiskeripolitiken följs och tillämpas effektivt.
Mervärdet av byråns arbete ligger i byråns bidrag till att lika villkor ska gälla i hela Europa för fiskeindustrin så att europeiska skyldigheter uppfylls av alla och att alla i sektorn behandlas lika oavsett var de är verksamma. För det andra bidrar byrån till hållbart fiske genom att stärka efterlevnaden av befintliga bevarande- och förvaltningsåtgärder till nytta för nuvarande och kommande generationer.
Byrån stöder, i samarbete med Europeiska gräns- och kustbevakningsbyrån och Europeiska sjösäkerhetsbyrån inom deras respektive uppdrag, de nationella myndigheterna som arbetar med kustbevakningsuppgifter.
EFCA har sitt officiella säte i Vigo i Spanien.
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