Head of Section Reference 2014-351-EXT Type of contract Who can apply Salary Working time Place of work Closing date for applications Fixed-term contract which may be converted into a permanent contract after five years subject to individual performance and organisational needs. EU nationals I band and benefits Full-time Frankfurt am Main, Germany 19 January 2015 Your team The selection committee may place suitable candidates on a reserve list, from which candidates may be appointed to similar positions in the same or another business area. It may also be decided to fill the position(s) advertised in this vacancy notice with suitable candidate(s) from the reserve list resulting from a recruitment procedure for a similar position. Candidates will be informed accordingly if this happens. In addition, an external provider will assess the management skills of all short-listed candidates. The assessment will include online self-assessment questionnaires and an interview. The link to the self assessment questionnaires will be sent to applicants once their interview dates have been confirmed, and the questionnaires have to be completed by a specific deadline. Applicants will therefore have to be able to access the internet for this purpose during this period. Further information about this position may be obtained from Ms Eleni Koupepidou, Head of the Supervisory Law Division (ext. 8023). Your role The Directorate General Legal Services of the European Central Bank is seeking applications for the position of Head of SSM Section in its Supervisory Law Division. The Directorate General Legal Services provides advice on all legal aspects of the regulatory, contractual and institutional framework of the European Central Bank (ECB), the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM). It also prepares legal instruments and deals with questions relating to the interpretation of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It prepares the ECB s opinions on draft legislation and contributes to defining the ECB s legal position vis-à-vis European Union (EU) institutions and in international fora. It also provides legal advice to the ECB s management on administrative matters and represents the ECB in court. The Supervisory Law Division is the centre of expertise on supervisory law and banking law at the ECB and provides advice to ECB business areas on legal questions related to the organisation of the
SSM and the interpretation of EU banking law, including national law transposing directives. In these areas of expertise, the Supervisory Law Division represents the ECB before both the EU and national courts. The Division consists of two sections, each of which is managed by a Head of Section. The vacant position is for the Section that provides advice on regulatory requirements (such as own funds, capital requirements, large exposures, securitisation, liquidity and consolidated supervision) and the exercise of the ECB s supervisory powers. The Head of Section will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Section and, in cooperation with the other Head of Section, will support the Head of Division in the overall management of the Division. More specifically, he/she will be entrusted with the following main tasks: in cooperation with the Head of Division, contributing actively to the definition and implementation of the Directorate General Legal Services strategy, objectives and priorities, as well as providing policy advice to its Director General and Deputy Director General; supporting the Head of Division in the development and implementation of the Division s strategic plans, divisional goal setting and in the fulfilment of his/her tasks; standing in for the Head of Division or the other Head of Section during absences and performing related duties as required; supporting the Head of Division in implementing the divisional strategy within the Section, monitoring results regularly and providing guidance to highly qualified lawyers, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality legal services to internal and external clients; creating and maintaining a working environment based on dedication and team-work by contributing to recruitment, promoting team spirit and fostering staff motivation; in cooperation with the Head of Division, guiding staff by setting personal development targets, managing performance and appraising the Section s staff; in cooperation with the Head of Division, leading improvements to processes and managing client service initiatives; organising and monitoring daily work in the Section s field of responsibility in order to ensure effective time management, consistency and high-quality output; helping to maintain a high level of expertise in the Section s field of responsibility in order to provide sound content-oriented guidance to staff in the performance of their duties; establishing, developing and maintaining networks, efficient cooperation, relations and contacts with the other three Divisions of the Directorate General Legal Services, as well as with all relevant internal and external parties; integrating and cascading Division and Section information, and communicating it to the relevant staff members in a timely and transparent fashion;
when appointed by senior management, representing the Division and the ECB by participating in and/or chairing internal or external committees; through the Division s work on legal issues related to prudential supervision, contributing to the development of the ECB s international reputation. Qualifications, experience and skills Applicants must have the following knowledge and competencies: a master s degree in law or an equivalent professional qualification obtained in an EU Member State; additional university degrees, postgraduate studies in banking, financial or EU law, relevant academic publications and bar association membership would be an asset; a professional legal qualification allowing the applicant to be recognised as a lawyer in an EU Member State under Council Directive 77/249/EEC of 22 March 1977 to facilitate the effective exercise by lawyers of freedom to provide services would be an important asset; at least eight years professional legal experience, with ideally at least four years related to the field of banking supervision and/or banking regulation, preferably in a central bank, financial supervisory authority or an international or EU institution; an in-depth knowledge of EU law, with a focus on banking legislation and practice, as well as knowledge on the legal and contractual framework of relevance for the ECB/ESCB/SSM; proven experience in successfully coordinating processes; experience in technical and complex legal negotiations would be an asset; proven skills and ability in coordinating a team of highly qualified staff; experience in a formal management position at a similar level would be an asset; experience working in EU institutions, bodies or agencies, international organisations, central banks, financial supervisory authorities and/or law firms of international repute would be an asset. an advanced-level command of English; advanced command of at least one other official language of the EU, preferably German and/or French; a working knowledge of MS Office, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Working modalities The successful candidate will have the following behavioural competencies: shows a high level of commitment, initiative and flexibility, and has the ability to work efficiently under pressure and to tight deadlines; pays close attention to the confidentiality requirements inherent to banking supervision; understands what motivates each individual and finds ways to harness this motivation in order to achieve organisational goals; encourages participation and cooperation within and across business practice teams by sharing information, seeking the views of knowledgeable colleagues and keeping the relevant stakeholders informed; leads by example and by developing a working atmosphere based on communication and trust in which staff can be proud of their efforts, and exercises a duty of care vis-à-vis his/her team; establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with legal and non-legal experts, as well as with management at all levels, both inside and outside the institution; communicates complex issues in a clear and effective manner to different audiences and ensures mutual comprehension; understands the key organisational goals and the wider context in which the ECB works, and is knowledgeable about current and possible future policies, practices, trends and technology relating to the business unit and the institution; applies best management practices with regard to the allocation of work, the supervision of quality, the internal flow of information, and team performance and development. Further Information Five-year fixed-term contract, with possible conversion to a contract of indefinite duration subject to individual performance and organisational needs. To enable the Directorate General to maintain its business continuity capability, the successful applicant will occasionally be expected to perform work during non-standard working hours and work at the ECB s standby sites. To further enhance the diversity of its workforce, the ECB particularly encourages applications from female candidates. Application and selection process Find more information under How you can join us : http://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/before-you-apply/html/index.en.html.