ECA/2025/12 - Principal manager[1] (one post) – Building and Facilities management (DIWI)

WHO WE ARE

This vacancy notice is open to officials of the European Court of Auditors and other EU institutions, bodies, offices or agencies in grade AD8, step 2 or above

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 1 000 audit, support and administrative staff of all EU nationalities[2].

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 contribute to improving the EU’s financial management and promote accountability and transparency. We warn of risks, provide assurance, identify 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.

The mission of the Directorate of Information, Workplace and Innovation (DIWI) is to enable the Court of Auditors to reach its strategic objectives by making effective and efficient use of information and by fostering an optimal workplace, making the best use of technologies and facilities management.

The building and facilities team’s task is to provide the ECA’s staff with a sustainable workplace that is collaborative, secure, environmentally friendly and based on wellbeing.

WHAT WE ARE OFFERING

This vacancy is for one principal manager position in the Directorate of Information, Workplace and Innovation (DIWI), on the basis of Article 29(1)(a) and (b) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (“the Staff Regulations”). 

Principal managers at the ECA are part of the management team of a chamber or directorate. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

-    managing and supervising the implementation of the directorate’s work programme to ensure efficiency and high quality in compliance with the applicable standards;

-    assisting the director in managing the directorate’s staff and financial resources; and

-    participating and representing the directorate in interinstitutional or local committees and working groups.

Principal managers also have a decisive role in motivating and coaching staff and advising on their training and professional development.

In addition to the above, the building and facilities manager will also be responsible for overseeing:

-    the maintenance, safety and functionality of the ECA’s buildings (e.g. managing building operations, maintenance, new building projects) to ensure a safe and efficient workplace for the ECA’s staff;

-    the procurement and contractual processes related to the acquisition of goods, services and works for the building and facilities team, ensuring full compliance with the EU Financial Regulation.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

I.           ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1.    Qualifications

In accordance with Article 5 of the Staff Regulations:

(i)    a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more; or

(ii)    a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma, and appropriate professional experience of at least one year, when the normal period of university education is at least three years.

2.    Professional experience

At least 12 years of proven professional experience gained after obtaining the above-mentioned qualification, including three years of experience in a relevant field (e.g. buildings, facilities management, public procurement). 

3.    Knowledge of languages

English and French are the official working languages of the ECA. For service needs, a sound knowledge of both languages (minimum level C1 in understanding, speaking and writing) is required.

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

II.    SELECTION CRITERIA AND ASSETS

1)    Proven ability to manage people in a multilingual and multicultural environment;

2)    experience in building and facilities management;

3)    experience in successfully coordinating, planning and implementing field-related complex projects or tasks;

4)    experience in public procurement and managing contracts;

5)    proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing;

6)    excellent interpersonal skills.

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

-    relevant educational background (e.g. facilities management, building services, architecture, engineering, law) and/or field-related certificates;

-    knowledge of health and safety regulations and standards;

-    knowledge of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS);

-    experience in dealing with legal matters related to building and facilities management.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

I.    ELIGIBILITY

A selection committee (‘the committee’) comprising four directors appointed by the Secretary-General, and the Director of Human Resources, Finance and General Services will assess the candidates’ eligibility on the basis of the criteria set out in this vacancy notice.

If required, the committee may be assisted in its works by other ECA staff or external experts appointed by the Secretary-General[3].

II.    PRE-SELECTION

The committee will compare and assess the eligible candidates on the basis of the information provided in their applications to identify those best matching with the sought profile.

This pre-selection is based on a comparative assessment of the eligible candidates, meaning that not all candidates who satisfy the criteria set out in this vacancy notice will be selected to proceed to the next stage of the procedure.

Based on its comparative assessment, the committee will establish a shortlist of the eight most suitable candidates[4].

III.    SELECTION

The committee will then make a more detailed assessment of the shortlisted candidates on the basis of an interview. The committee may also decide to organise a written assessment or additional interviews, or to request candidates’ performance evaluation reports.

The results of the interview(s) and, if applicable, the written assessment, will serve as the basis for deciding which candidate(s) is/are considered to be best qualified for the post. Based on the committee’s report, the Secretary-General may appoint a principal manager.

APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is 12:00 (midday) Luxembourg time on 22 October 2025.

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 (maximum three pages);

-    an up-to-date CV, preferably in “Europass” format (maximum five pages) (see: https://europa.eu/europass/).

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

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

To ensure that applications are completed on time, we strongly advise 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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

In line with the 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. The ECA would encourage applications for this position from female candidates.

If you require any special arrangements for a specific 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 candidates’ 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 committee to reconsider its decision

You may submit a written reasoned request for reconsideration of a decision taken by the selection committee. 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, Saturday or Sunday, 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 a view to 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.