Vacancy Notice N° e267/2013
Laboratory Support Worker (Grade C1/C2)
Directorate General of Democracy and Human Dignity (DG II)
European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM)

Laboratory Department (DLab)
Closing date: 25 November 2013
Location : Strasbourg

Job mission

Under the authority of the Director of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare (EDQM) and the authority of the Head of the Laboratory Department (DLab) the position holder will provide support to the laboratory in undertaking a variety of facility and housekeeping tasks with a concern for quality, efficiency and accuracy and in compliance with priorities and technical methods and security regulations.

Key activities

The incumbent performs all or a combination of the following duties:

 

-          participates in the reception and storage of samples and consumables;

-          collects samples and consumables from storage locations; contributes to keep the laboratory in good order;

-          prepares solutions, samples, etc. for analysis for use by laboratory technicians;

-          undertakes daily checks of equipment and sets-up equipment for use by laboratory technicians;

-          undertakes 1st level maintenance and cleaning of the equipment within the laboratory.

 

Please note that the incumbent may be required to perform other duties not listed in the vacancy notice.

Eligibility Requirements

Only applicants who best meet the following criteria will be shortlisted. Criteria marked with an asterix (*) are statutory requirements.

 

·         Experience:

o   At least 2 years of professional experience in undertaking housekeeping/maintenance duties in a technical environment; preferably a laboratory. 

·         Language requirements: has very good knowledge of one official language (English or French) in oral and written communication  and knowledge of the other sufficient to understand and follow oral or written instructions; 

·         Nationality: must be a national of a Council of Europe member state

·           Age: under 65 years of age, at the closing date of the vacancy notice.

 

Employee Core Values

Competencies

Essential:

§  Professional and technical competencies:

-       Technical competencies: familiar with IT tools, planning and work organisation skills; and problem-solving skills.

§  Interpersonal skills: service and client orientation, adaptability, team-work and co-operation.

§  Communication and linguistic skills: listening and communication skills; has good knowledge of French and some knowledge of English.

§  Personal attitudes: concern for quality, efficiency and accuracy.

 

Desirable:

§  Experience: basic knowledge of analytical chemistry and standard equipment used in such a laboratory, practical experience in using analytical balances and applying dilution operations; knowledge of safety regulations and basic knowledge of quality norms (for example ISO 17025). 

 

For more information, please refer to the competency inventory of the Council of Europe.

Additional information

Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system and submitted at the latest 25 November 2013 (midnight Central European Time). By connecting to our website http://www.coe-recruitment.com you can create and submit your on-line application.   

 

The selection procedure may vary according to the specific requirements of the job vacancy. It consists of preliminary selection, written papers and/or other assessments, and an interview. Assessments can include ability tests, behavioural questionnaires, job related examinations, situational exercises, language tests as well as full assessment centres.

 

Depending on the number of applicants, the length of the required professional experience may be increased.  

 

Candidates with the best results in the previous stages of the procedure (tests, exams, etc.) will be invited for an interview.

 

Following this competition, a reserve list of successful candidates, in order of merit, may be established. This list will be valid for two years with the possibility of extending it to a maximum of four years. It should be noted that placement on a reserve list does not give candidates the right to an appointment within the Council of Europe.  Moreover, the choice of candidates from a reserve list is not made solely according to the order of merit.  

 

During the period of validity of the reserve list, candidates on the list can be offered fixed-term contracts, which may be prolonged one or more times. The first year of employment will constitute a probationary period.

 

The compulsory retirement age is 65. 

 

Details on conditions of employment including salaries, allowances, pension scheme and social insurance can be consulted on the Council of Europe recruitment website. 

 

Under its equal opportunities policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve parity in the number of women and men employed in each category and grade. In the event of equal merit, preference will therefore be given to the applicant belonging to the under-represented sex.

 

The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

 

During the different stages of the recruitment procedure, specific measures may be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities.

 

The Organisation 

 

The Council of Europe is a political organisation founded in 1949 in order to promote greater unity between its members. It now numbers 47 member States. The Organisation’s main aims are to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and to develop common responses to political, social, cultural and legal challenges in its member States. Since 1989 it has integrated most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and supported them in their efforts to implement and consolidate their reforms.

 

The Council of Europe has its permanent headquarters in Strasbourg (France). By Statute, it has two constituent organs: the Committee of Ministers, composed of the member States’ Ministers for Foreign Affairs, and the Parliamentary Assembly, comprising delegations from the national parliaments. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe represents the entities of local and regional self-government within the member States.

 

The European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body competent to adjudicate complaints brought against a state by individuals, associations or other contracting states on grounds of violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

 

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (http://www.edqm.eu) is a leading organisation that protects public health by enabling the development, supporting the implementation and monitoring the application of quality standards for safe medicines and their safe use. Its standards are recognised as a scientific benchmark world-wide. The European Pharmacopoeia is legally binding in European member states.  Similarly, the EDQM develops guidance and standards in the areas of blood transfusion, organ transplantations and consumer health issues.  Its mission is to contribute to the basic human right of access to good quality medicines and healthcare and to promote and protect human and animal health. 

 

External recruitment procedure organised in accordance with Article 15 of the Regulations on Appointments