Head of Resources Department

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare (EDQM) is a leading organisation whose mission is to contribute to public health protection by engaging with an international community of experts and stakeholders. We achieve this by promoting acces to safe medicines and healthcare through the elaboration of quality standards, which are recognised as a scientific bookmark worldwide. The EDQM's standards for medicines and their ingredients, compiled in the European Pharmacopeia, are legally binding in its 39 member States (and the European Union) and are also widely used across the globe in the human and animal health sectors. The EDQM also plays a crucial role in the areas of blood transfusion, organ, tissue and cell transplantation and in developing and setting consumer health standards, such as for cosmetics and food contact materials.

The team within which you will work (approx. 30 staff members) handles three main areas: human resources, finances and procurement. Therefore they ensure effective recruitment, training, and employee relations. They also manage the organisation's budget and finances, overseeing financial planning, reporting and compliance. Additionally, they make sure internal control and procurement processes are efficient, safeguarding assets and acquiring goods and services as necessary.

As a Head of the Resources Department you will cover the areas of finance, human resources (HR) and procurement while providing support in the achievement of the EDQM’s objectives:

Responsibility and reporting                                             

• playing an active and constructive role as a member of the EDQM’s Management Team, including:

1. providing leadership to the development and implementation of the EDQM’s strategic objectives and programmes, and contributing to the development of related concept papers; 
2. leading cross-functional projects and programmes, ensuring the coherence of the EDQM’s work and the smooth running of interdepartmental activities; 

• advising the Director and reporting on results achieved and on further requirements, risks and opportunities for development.

Leadership and management

• providing leadership and direction to Resources Department staff; fostering co-operation and team spirit, and encouraging professional development; 
• leading the Department in its work to support the EDQM’s short-term plans and long-term direction by:

1. ensuring the provision of high-quality advice and services, effective internal control and incisive analytical data/reporting that supports the EDQM in the fields of finance, asset management and stocks, procurement and HR;
2. overseeing the preparation of short- and long-term financial and workforce plans for the EDQM, contracts with the EC/EMA/WHO, and monitoring their timely and cost-effective execution;
3. supporting the EDQM in obtaining excellent value for money for the goods and services it procures by effective planning, whilst also maintaining high quality customer service standards, fostering innovation and driving operational efficiency;
4. co-ordinating the Department’s specialist knowledge to improve cost efficiency and effectiveness and reduce the EDQM’s environmental footprint;
5. driving a new culture for the EDQM’s staff by supporting transition, team cohesion and change management

• promoting a quality and service culture within the Department and continually improving its robustness and effectiveness.

• Managerial - Vision and Strategic Insight
• Managerial - Leadership
• Managerial - Management of teams
• Operational - Results orientation

• Managerial - Organisational and contextual awareness
• Interpersonal - Influencing

• Professional and technical expertise:

• substantial operational experience in an international organisation.

This job vacancy is for an international external recruitment. You can consult the conditions of employment (salaries, allowances, pension scheme, social insurance, etc.) on the webpage What we offer. 

For more information on how we recruit, you can consult the page Our recruitment process. This recruitment is carried out in accordance with Article 490 of the Council of Europe Staff Rules. The deadline for applications is indicated in the General information section of this vacancy notice (see above) and is fixed at 23:59:59 Central European Time (CET). When applying, make sure your motivation shows how your competencies make your profile the best for the role.

As an equal opportunity employer, the Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion or belief. Under its equal opportunity policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve gender parity in staff employed in each category and grade.At the time of appointment, preference beetwen suitable people shall be given to the person of the gender which is under-represented in the relevant grades within the category to which the vacancy belongs.

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact us at [email protected], we will ensure that your request is handled.

The information published on the CoE’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication of the vacancy notice. Any changes to these conditions during the recruitment process will beupdated on our Portal and will apply at the time of the job offer. Our career's website is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. Should you have remaining questions, please contact us at [email protected].