Scientific Project Officer, FGIV

1.    Introduction

The Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (GH EDCTP3 JU) is a partnership between the European Union and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Association whose members are several European and African countries. The GH EDCTP3 JU is established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe . It aims at supporting clinical research to deliver solutions to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and strengthen research capacities to prepare and respond to emerging infectious diseases. 

Since 2003, the first and second European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) programmes ,  represent a flagship for conducting sound multi-country clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa, building a true partnership between Europe and Africa, and fostering African leadership in scientific research. These programmes have also contributed to improving linkages between African research organisations, which resulted in the launch of four African Regional Networks of Excellence for clinical trials and more than 200 multi-country clinical trials and clinical studies. Moreover, these programmes have strengthened the ethics review capacity and national regulatory authorities in many African countries and contributed to establish relevant organisations in the region.
Building on the positive experience of the previous EDCTP programmes, GH EDCTP3 intends to: 

• Reduce the socio-economic burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa by promoting the development and uptake of new or improved health technologies;
• Increase health security in sub-Saharan Africa and globally by strengthening the research and innovation-based capacities for preparedness and response to control infectious diseases.

GH EDCTP3 JU is implementing a budget of approximately EUR 1.6 billion for the period 2021-2027 and consolidating a programme office of around 34 highly qualified, scientific, clinical and administrative professionals from multi-cultural backgrounds from Europe and Africa, operating in a multilingual context. The budget comes from the European Union Horizon Europe Framework Programme of Research and Innovation, the EDCTP Association member countries and additional contributing partners, such as philanthropic organisations and industry, which contribute on an ad-hoc basis. More information can be found in the mentioned Council Regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe, notably in its Articles 99-114.

GH EDCTP3 JU is established until 31 December 2031 and is located in Brussels.

For more information, please visit the Global Health EDCTP3 website at: https://www.global-health-edctp3.europa.eu/index_en

2.    Job description

The GH EDCTP3 JU is organising a call for expressions of interest with a view to recruiting and establishing a reserve list of Contract Agent (3a) for the position of Scientific Project Officer.

2.1   Profile

Under the supervision of the Head of Operations Unit, the jobholder will contribute to the planning, management and implementation of GH EDCTP3 research and development activities, and the follow-up of the entire life cycle of projects. 
The jobholder will also support the Call Coordinator when needed organising the calls, including evaluations of project proposals, and be involved in the grant agreement preparation of the proposals selected for funding.

2.2 Tasks

Duties and responsibilities
The Scientific Project Officer main duties and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:

Project management

• Conduct and preparing project reviews, assessing technical reports and participating in project meetings and/or in dedicated progress reviews;
• Participate in project meetings with project consortia to explain relevant programme/EC policies and procedures, and workshops sharing the results between different consortia;
• Ensure dissemination and promotion of project results and impacts.

Scientific research and advice

• Provide input to the development of the scientific priorities for the annual work programmes of GH EDCTP3;
• Contribute to the implementation of the annual work programmes;
• Contribute to the Annual Activity Report, identifying and disseminating best practices and presenting the programme and its’ projects at information days, workshops, seminars, conferences and other public events.

Program management and monitoring

• Contribute to the planning and monitoring of calls for proposals/tenders, preparing the evaluation phase (selection of experts, eligibility checks of proposals) for assigned panels, supporting the process of selection and final ranking;
• Monitor the preparation of grant agreements in close collaboration with legal and financial officers;
• Promote awareness of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme through information days and meetings explaining the call and evaluation processes; and explaining the benefits of participating in the programme.

Statistical analysis of data and advice

• Provide statistical input for GH EDCTP3 papers, communications or other documents concerning GH EDCTP3 objectives and performance measurement.

Call coordination (back-up support only)

• Support the organisation of the calls for proposals, including the technical aspects of the grant management cycle in the relevant IT tools, in close collaboration with the Scientific Project Officers and relevant services at European Commission;
• Apply with the relevant European Commission procedures related to call and grant management and ensures that rules and deadlines are respected accordingly;
• Ensure dissemination and communication of programme results for Governance and other reporting needs;
• Support the coordination of the Grant Agreement preparation of the proposals selected for funding.

The successful candidate may be required to undertake other tasks and activities as necessary according to the evolution and development of the GH EDCTP3 JU’s structure or activities. Duties may evolve depending on the needs of the GH EDCTP3 JU.

 
3.    Eligibility criteria

Candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following requirements, to be fulfilled by the closing date for applications and maintained throughout the selection procedure and appointment:

3.1 Nationality

• Be a national of a member state of the European Union;

3.2 Education and professional experience

• Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma;

3.3 Languages

• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages  and a satisfactory knowledge (at least B2 level) of another of these languages to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties (candidates are invited to specify in their CV possible language certificates they have obtained, which can demonstrate their language skills).

Candidates should clearly specify each criterion (nationality, diploma, and languages) in their CV. 

Failure to comply with any of the eligibility criteria or failure to mention them in the applicant’s CV will result in the disqualification of the applicant.

 
4.    Selection criteria

Eligible candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following criteria, to be fulfilled by the closing date of applications:

4.1 Essential qualifications and experience

• Suitability to perform the tasks described in point 2.2;
• Demonstrated professional experience of at two (2) years in managing projects in the area of clinical research or global health;
• Professional experience in working in a multicultural, international and multidisciplinary environment;
• Very good written and spoken English (native or near-native level).

4.2    Advantageous criteria

• An MD or PhD in a field relevant to the position (e.g. medicine, biomedical sciences, epidemiology, public health);
• Demonstrated experience in the field of infectious diseases;
• Good knowledge of the grant management cycle IT tools used in European Institutions, such as Compass, Sygma etc;
• Ability to use electronic office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams, etc).

4.3 Behavioural competences

• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines in a highly dynamic work environment;
• Analytical capabilities and problem-solving skills;
• Communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills (e.g. the ability to establish and develop good interpersonal relationships with a broad range of stakeholders in cross-cultural environments as well as in the team);
• Organisation skills: ability to balance multiple high-priority projects simultaneously in a highly dynamic work environment;

Candidates are invited to be as detailed and as clear as possible when describing their professional experience and specific skills and competences in their application. In order to be evaluated in the best possible way, candidates are advised to give evidence of their knowledge and detailed professional experience with specific examples and detailed professional experience. 

 
5.    Conditions of Employment
The successful candidate will be appointed as a Contract Agent, FGIV, pursuant to Article 3(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, for a period of three years, with a probation period of 9 months. After an evaluation of the post holder's performance, and subject to budget availability, the term of office may be extended. The period of engagement will not in any case exceed the lifetime of the GH EDCTP3 JU.

Remuneration:
The successful candidate who is offered a contract of employment will be graded on entry into service in FGIV. The basic monthly salaries for a Contract Agent, FGIV, as of 1 January 2025 in Brussels, are:

• FGIV, grade 13, step 1: EUR 4.270,49 (for less than 5 years of professional experience after obtention of diploma)
• FGIV, grade 14, step 1: EUR 4.831,85 (between 5 and 17 years of professional experience after obtention of diploma)
• FGIV, grade 16, step 1: EUR 6.185,58 (for more than 17 years of professional experience after obtention of diploma)

In addition to the basic salary, staff members may be entitled to various allowances, in particular expatriation or foreign residence allowance, family allowances including household allowance, dependent child allowance, pre-school allowance and an education allowance.
The salary is subject to a Community tax deducted at source and staff members are exempt of national taxation.
For any further information on contractual and working conditions, please refer to the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) of the European Union, which is available on the following web page: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF

Disclaimer:
Recruitment(s) are subject to the adoption of the amendment of Global Health EDCTP3 2025 Work Programme, which is expected, in principle, to be finalised before the completion of the selection process.

6.   Important 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 and appeal procedures.