ECA/2023/16 - Photographer/Graphic designer (1 post)

WHO WE ARE

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) was established in 1975 as the European Union’s external auditor. One of the EU’s seven institutions, it is based in Luxembourg and employs around 900 audit, support and administrative staff of all EU nationalities.

The ECA operates as a collegiate body of 27 Members, one from each EU member state. Our auditors check that the EU keeps good accounts and correctly applies its financial rules, and that its policies and programmes achieve their intended objectives and deliver value for money.

Through our work, we can make a difference by helping the EU to make a better use of its money. We contribute to improving the EU’s financial management and promote accountability and transparency. We warn of risks, provide assurance, indicate shortcomings and successes and offer guidance to EU policymakers and legislators. We present our observations and recommendations to the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, and national governments and parliaments, as well as the general public.

We are a modern and dynamic organisation striving for and promoting excellence, professionalism, transparency and integrity. We define ourselves as a diverse, flexible and equitable institution, which offers every individual the opportunity to maximise their talent. Through our individual and collective involvement in the ECA’s activities and our ambitious training programme, our aim is to make the ECA an intellectually stimulating workplace, and a learning-based organisation that relies on institutional knowledge and motivated and well-trained people to serve the EU and its citizens.

We are an EU institution on a human scale: this facilitates integration, allows for easier interaction, and encourages teamwork. We offer flexible working hours and teleworking, including from outside the place of residence. We value diversity and inclusion, promote equal opportunities, and ensure a respectful working environment based on open communication, dialogue, and mutual trust. Staff engagement, well-being and greening are important pillars of our internal policies.

Within the Directorate of the Presidency, the Communication team is responsible for a range of tasks in the field of internal and external communication. We aim to keep staff up to date on the latest news within and about the ECA, alert stakeholders and the press to the most recent activities and events regarding the ECA’s work, and maintain their interest. To optimise communication and enhance our message, we also offer professional graphic design and data visualisation services to other ECA departments.

WHAT WE ARE OFFERING

This vacancy notice is being issued on the basis of Article 29(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union.

The advertised position is therefore open ONLY to AST officials of the European Court of Auditors, AST officials of other EU institutions and successful candidates in an EU AST competition[1].

We are seeking one (1) photographer/graphic designer (grades AST1 - AST9) for the Communication team. 

The photographer/graphic designer will work under the authority of the principal manager to provide colleagues with the following services:

-      provide photography coverage (using corporate camera equipment) of internal events and events with external participants, including high-level representatives;

-      take photos of ECA Members and staff (including studio photos for organisation chart and Who is Who, as well as audit team photos for reports);

-      process (i.e. edit and retouch as needed), classify and archive the pictures;

-     provide graphic design support for ECA publications and events (including layout of ECA Journal, promotional material and presentations, infographics, assets for social media, logos, banners, etc.);

-     contribute to developing visual storytelling across multiple platforms, using both photography, videography and graphic design, to support the ECA’s internal and external communication objectives and needs.

[1]     Organised by EPSO or by one of the EU institutions.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The advertised position is open to applicants who, on the deadline for applications, meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Staff Regulations, as well as the following criteria: 

     1. Knowledge of languages

A sound knowledge of English is required (minimum level C1 in understanding, speaking and writing).

A good knowledge of French (minimum level B1 in the same categories) will be considered an asset, given that English and French are the ECA’s official working languages.

Please indicate in your CV the language level according to the following assessment model : https://europa.eu/europass/en/common-european-framework-reference

2. Experience and skills 

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:   

-      proficiency and experience in professional photo production and editing, including the use of Adobe Photoshop;

-      proficiency and experience in the field of graphic design and layout, including the use of Adobe Creative Suite software for graphic design, print design and/or web design (especially Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat Pro); 

-      proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and the internet tools; 

-      ability to work to deadline and set priorities; 

-      a keen eye for detail and the ability to maintain accuracy under pressure; 

-      flexibility, strong customer orientation and a service mindset; 

-      the ability to work autonomously as part of a multidisciplinary team and work effectively in an international and multicultural environment; 

-      good interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise effectively with other departments and teams, as well as with external partners.

   3. Assets

In addition to the above, the following will be considered as assets:   

-      experience in video production;

-      experience in animation design;

-      knowledge of protocol organisation and procedures in the European Union institutions.

APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is 12:00 (midday) CET on 29 September 2023.

Applications must be submitted only via the online form provided for the advertised position and must comprise the following documents in English or French:

- a cover letter, including, if available, a link to an online portfolio of original photo and graphic design work across a range of projects;

- an up-to-date CV, preferably in the Europass format (see https://europa.eu/europass/);

- (only for EU officials not at the ECA) a document confirming your function group, grade and status as an official.

Successful candidates in an EU open competition must quote the relevant reference number in their CV or cover letter.

Any application received after the deadline or which is not submitted using the online form provided in this purpose will be rejected.

The selection committee will evaluate applications based solely on the information given in these documents. It may ask candidates to provide supporting evidence for statements made in their applications. If candidates fail to provide such evidence when it is requested, their applications will be rejected.

To ensure that your application is completed on time, we strongly advise you not to wait until the last few hours to apply. Experience has shown that the system may become overloaded as the deadline approaches.

RECRUITMENT POLICY

In line with ECA’s Diversity and Inclusion policy and Article 1d of the Staff Regulations, the ECA embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We accept applications without discrimination on any grounds, and we take steps to ensure that recruitment is evenly balanced between women and men, as required by Article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. We also take measures to reconcile working life with family life.

If you require any special arrangements for a specific handicap or disability in order to take part in this selection procedure, please send an email in good time to ECA-Selection@eca.europa.eu.

DATA PROTECTION

The ECA is committed to ensuring that applicants' personal data are processed in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC.

For more information, see our specific privacy statement on recruitment at the following address: https://www.eca.europa.eu/Lists/ECADocuments/Specific_Privacy_Statement_vacancies/Specific_Privacy_Statement_vacancies_EN.PDF

REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION — COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS — COMPLAINTS TO THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN

If, at any stage in the selection procedure, you consider that a decision taken in your regard is wrong, the following options are available:

Request for the selection board to reconsider its decision

You may submit a written reasoned request for reconsideration of a decision taken by the selection board. This request must be sent, within 10 calendar days of notification of the decision, to ECA-Recours@eca.europa.eu . Where the last day of this period is a public holiday, Sunday or Saturday, the period shall end with the expiry of the last hour of the following working day.

Complaints

Under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations, you may submit a written complaint against the ECA’s decision to reject your application, within three months of being notified thereof, to the following address:

The Secretary-General
European Court of Auditors
12, rue Alcide De Gasperi
L-1615 Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG

Judicial appeals

Under Article 91 of the Staff Regulations, you may appeal against a decision to reject your complaint, insofar as it adversely affects you, to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The action must be brought by a lawyer within three months of notification of the decision to reject the complaint.

Complaints to the European Ombudsman

If you believe that the handling of your application has involved maladministration by the ECA, you may lodge a complaint with the European Ombudsman, having first contacted the ECA with the aim of settling the dispute. You must submit your complaint in writing within two years of discovering the relevant facts. An online complaints form is available on the European Ombudsman’s website. Applying to the European Ombudsman will not suspend the appeal deadlines given above.