Information Systems Manager COST-ESF

European Co-operation in the Field of Scientific & Technical Research

Brussels, Belgium

Following the COST Mission to promote cooperation in scientific and technological research across Europe, and in line with the objectives of the European Science Foundation, the position provides efficient and high-quality organizational and administrative assistance to the COST Director. Customer satisfaction, service oriented attitude and a profound engagement to improve and streamline procedures are important criteria for success in this position.

Adhering to values of excellence, discretion, and responsiveness, coupled with a commitment to promote ethical awareness and moral standards are essential requirements of this position. Additional success factors for this position are dealing with high level contacts requiring considerable discretion and judgement, deciding on priorities with diplomacy coupled with a thorough understanding of COST framework and policies and key external contacts, under the guidance of the COST Director.

The person should be available to start as soon as possible.

Position responsibilities:

• Analyse activities and requirements for all parties to formulate and develop new and modified Information System solutions, within the framework of the Corporate Information System;
• Support the continuous development and enhancement of systems and operations by providing and implementing appropriate IS solutions;
• Project Management: lead, plan and coordinate projects to ensure that goals and objectives are achieved within the prescribed time frame and budget;
• Maintain a roadmap for the COST Information Systems. Implement the required functionalities in different releases/versions of the systems, taking into account operational priorities;
• Streamline and enhance the internal Business and Science Management processes;
• Supervising, monitoring and optimising the COST Information Systems;
• Monitoring technological development, proposing and implementing updates;
• Ensuring appropriate security measures for the IS systems;
• Taking responsibility for building and managing the IS budget in investments and expenditure;
• Evaluating needs in equipment, managing quotation purchase (software, hardware, technical products…) and purchasing hardware and software equipment in a cost effective way and within available budgets;
• Provide advice and support in terms of IS training;
• Communicating to its team (7 persons) a clear vision, strategy and priorities of COST and how it affects the objectives of the team; motivating the team to seek challenges, reach the objectives and perform in line with, or beyond expectations;
• Promoting a climate of positive, trustful and respectful staff relations by encouraging communication and information-sharing, by resolving staff issues in a timely manner in order to help the team members achieve;
• Managing staff performance in a professional manner, including the timely completion of performance appraisals, regular feedback. Continually enhances the level of competencies of his/her team by investing in the development and learning of the staff, and by actively participating in the selection of external talented candidates;
• Undertaking other duties as necessary and at the request of the COST Office Director.

Profile and competencies:

Specific competencies

• Master degree in Computer science;
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in IS and project management;
• Excellent spoken and written English;
• Excellent knowledge of current information technologies and organisational functions;
• Ability to conceive and carry out inter-departmental projects;
• Good knowledge of financial services business systems and interfaces, and in science management systems;
• Ability to prioritise assignments/projects and multi-task within restricted time constraints;
• Solid analytical, project management and problem-solving skills.

Inter-personal competencies

• Leadership, motivational skills and staff management skills;
• Action-orientated, responsible and self-managed, creative and willing to take initiatives, and continuous improvement minded;
• Demonstrated ability to drive change, to educate internal customers, and to manage process improvement implementations;
• Strong inter-personal and excellent communication skills within a multi-national context, including discretion, diplomacy and tolerance;
• Transparency in working and a team-orientated work ethic;
• Commitment to deliver on allocated tasks and respond in a timely manner to deadlines;
• Team-orientated work ethic with specific attention to maintain transparency and a collaborative team spirit;
• Task-orientated, responsible and autonomous, and continuous improvement minded;
• Diplomacy skills and rigorous discretion and confidentiality capacities.

The ESF offers:

• Full-time contract of duration linked to the COST grant agreement II, with an initial probation period of 6 months;
• An international working environment located in Brussels at 1050, avenue Louise 149;
• Luncheon vouchers and complementary insurances package.

Electronic applications (motivation letter + CV) should be addressed to the HR Unit and sent to job@cost.eu
Reference code: ISM. Deadline for application: 22 January 2012.

For general details see http://www.cost.eu