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Financial Expert - Specialised in Law

ESPON - 24 June 2009

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Job Description

The ESPON Coordination Unit (CU)
The ESPON Coordination Unit is responsible for the day-to-day programme
implementation and management. In addition, the CU performs as the interlocutor
synthesising and presenting key scientific results for the policy development. The CU
provides support to the Monitoring Committee, the Managing Authority, the Audit
Authority and the Concertation Committee.
The ESPON CU offers a challenging international environment, working with all
countries of the European Union and some neighbouring countries, using the English
language in all communication. The ESPON CU has a staff of 12-13 persons plus
trainees.
The work in the CU is organised in three clusters, each dealing with a key area of the
implementation of the ESPON 2013 Programme and coordinated by a cluster
coordinator acting as well as project expert in the framework of other clusters. One
cluster deals with matters concerning the programme, finance and budget. A second
cluster takes care of project development and coordination and implementation and the
third cluster supports the capitalisation of ESPON results including elaboration of
publications and analysis. Each cluster is composed of a number of colleagues and each
staff member will belong to one cluster and participate in tasks of another cluster.
Carrying through the ESPON 2013 Programme implies, apart from working at the CU
premises, taking part in meetings outside Luxembourg, often in Bruxelles as well as in
other countries participating in the ESPON Programme. Working in the ESPON CU
may therefore include travelling.
The Coordination Unit is currently located in Esch-sur-Alzette, 19 km south-west of
Luxembourg City with easy access by car or by train. The railway station is only 10
minutes walk away from the CU premises.
Your general profile

Staff in the ESPON CU needs to be dynamic team players, willing and used to work and
cooperate closely with colleagues in achieving common objectives. In doing so, the
capability of taking responsibility and show initiative are important assets.
Your personal profile includes good skills in communication and presentation as well as
in seeing possibilities and in solving problems and conflicts. Ability to propose
solutions to issues arising from analytical, administrative, legal or cultural differences,
depending on the post, is an important asset.
You are quick in understanding and you have good analytical skills. You are able to
work in a multi-cultural environment with a constructive working approach. You can
work autonomously and you are systematic and well organised.
You are fluent in both oral and written English. Any additional language skills will be
considered an asset. You possess good computers skills in using MS Office, including
Excel, Access, and Power Point, and you are experienced in using the Internet.
The specific post as Financial Expert specialised in law
You will as Financial Expert specialised in legal issues work closely with colleagues in
the cluster on Programme, Finance and Budget. This cluster is currently composed by a
Cluster Coordinator, two Financial Experts (one of which will be you), a Junior Expert
and a Financial Assistant (half time).
As a major task, you will be responsible for the implementation and processing of
system audits and audit of operations. You will in this context cooperate with national
contact persons and bodies responsible for Financial Control and Audits.
In addition, you shall provide advice on legal aspects at programme level supporting a
smooth operation in compliance with EU Regulations as well as Luxembourg Law. You
will in this context provide advice to other colleagues in the CU on issues such as
eligibility and liability as well as procedures related to call for proposals and expression
of interests as well as to public procurement. Part of this role will also include support
to the monitoring of the implementation of the Management and Control System where
you with suggestions shall contribute to a simple and efficient operation of the system,
both internally and towards external beneficiaries.
In relation to the financial management at Programme level you may as well be asked to
assist in defining a general upgrading of the internal budget monitoring that shall
provide regular information related to the implementation of programme operations.
Your qualifications

You have more than 5 years of previous experience with financial and legal issues
related to international programme and project management. You have through your
carrier become well acquainted with Structural Funds in ERDF funded projects and/or
programmes.
You are familiar with different administrative traditions and are able with your legal
insight to propose solutions for transnational administrative procedures related to
programme management, including the legal settings, audit and control requirements. In
case you have experience from law practice, this would be considered an advantage.
You have preferably a university degree in law or in accounting, business
administration or related relevant fields that include courses in law. Apart from fluency
in English, both spoken and written, a basic ability to read and understand French would
be an advantage.
Applying for the posts

Your application shall include a brief motivation expressing your expectations and
qualifications in relation to the post. Please annex your Curriculum Vitae including the
main details concerning your professional and educational back ground as well as the
personal and language skills you may have. In case you are selected for the post you
will be asked to present certified copies of your degree/diplomas as part of the
contracting.
In case you want to apply for the vacant post as Financial Expert please send your
application including your CV by e-mail to FINex2009@espon.eu.
Deadline for submitting an application is 8 July 2009 at 16.00.
Selection procedure

The selection of the best applicants will involve a selection board normally including
representatives of the ESPON Monitoring Committee, the European Commission as
well as the ESPON Managing Authority and the Coordination Unit. External support for
the selection may be organised.
The general profile and the targeted qualifications indicated in the job specifications
above will be used as criteria for a first screening and selection of the best qualified
candidates, which will be invited for an interview.
All interviews will take place in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg. The interviews will
include a written test as well as dialogue.
In the selection process the ESPON CU applies a policy of equal gender.
Conditions

You will be contracted until the end of 2013, if you are selected. A highly competitive
salary will be paid with regard to your qualifications and profile. In addition, the general
tax level in Luxembourg is low compared to other European countries.
Further information

You can get further information about the posts and the ESPON Coordination Unit as
well as on living conditions in Luxembourg by contacting the Director, Peter Mehlbye,
or the Office Administrator / Financial Assistant, Caroline Clause, on +352 54 55
80 700.
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