Head of Unit - Operational

1\. The job

ECHA wishes to establish a reserve list of middle managers that may be called to lead one of its operational or corporate units. If you are an individual with management and leadership experience in the private or public sector, in a national, EU or international organisation and are interested in joining a dynamic, expanding organisation, then this job could be for you.

2\. Key responsibilities

In the application form, you will be requested to choose the profile that best suits your skills and experience either corporate or operational. We cannot accept simultaneous applications for both profiles, nor can you change your choice during the selection process.

Responsibilities for Operational Head of Unit profile:

· Actively contribute to ECHAs overall strategy, (multi)annual planning, and corporate identity as a member of the management team in line with our values of integrity, transparency, collaboration and innovation.

· Provide clear direction; motivate, support, and empower staff and team leaders to reach their potential.

· Ensure sound financial management of the unit budget, including forecasting, monitoring execution, and overseeing public procurement procedures.

· Develop and implement Unit Level Plans (ULP) and ensure adequate reporting of financial and human resources in collaboration with the Director and, in line with the Agencys strategic workforce planning.

· Ensure all activities conform to the Agency's Integrated Management System (IMS)

and internal governance and administration policies.

· Leverage data to ensure sound, evidence-based Agency and regulatory decisions in line with the Agency's strategic objectives.

· Collaborate with other Heads of Unit and directorates to ensure seamless internal communication, cooperation and a "customer-oriented" approach.

· Reflect ECHAs values in daily interactions, ensuring a respectful, healthy, and inclusive working environment.

· Support change and transformation management across the Agency in response to changing external policy and stakeholder demands.

· Set up and maintain effective and constructive engagements with relevant stakeholders.

· Represent ECHA in external fora, supporting the external Agency image in accordance with its values.

· Ensure delivery of compliant outcomes within their dedicated process, adapting to new technologies (e.g. Artificial Intelligence) and robust data analysis.

· Provide advice to their Director and the senior management team on setting the policy context and strategic planning within a specific domain.

Unique responsibilities of an Operational Head of Unit profile:

· Develop specific policy lines within the units area of expertise (e.g., data management, data availability, hazard assessment or risk management) consistent with Agency objectives. Contribute to the communication of these policy lines and provide scientific and technical support to EU decisionmakers.

· Ensure translation and technical implementation of policy lines into processes and outputs in line with the Agency's strategy and work program. Oversee the technical and scientific execution of activities related to the implementation of chemicals legislation in areas such as hazard assessment, risk assessment and management, data submission, data management and analysis, regulatory decisions, development and maintenance of related tools and systems, prioritization, or socio-economic analysis.

3\. Minimum qualifications

a) Successful completion of a full course of university studies attested by a degree, where the normal duration of university education is four (4) years or more. Or b) Successful completion of a full course of university studies attested by a degree, where the normal duration of university education is three (3) years and at least one (1) year of relevant professional experience.

Only qualifications issued by EU Member State authorities or EEA authorities and qualifications recognized as equivalent by the relevant EU or EEA Member State authorities will be accepted.

4\. Professional experience

To qualify for this profile, you must have at the closing date for applications a total professional experience of at least 12 (twelve) years acquired after achieving the minimum requirements stated in section 4.b of this vacancy notice.

Of your total professional experience, at least 5 (five) years must be in a field, or fields relevant to the areas of work mentioned in section 3; additionally, at least 2 (two) years must be in a management role (Head of Unit, Head of Sector, Team Leader or equivalent).

5\. Selection criteria

The candidates who are judged to be the most suitable based on the selection criteria will be invited to a (remote) written test and/or interview. The pre-selection panel will decide whether succeeding in the written test is a prerequisite to be invited to the interview.

· Your academic and professional qualifications, and their relevance to the main areas of work listed for either profile in Section 3;

· Your professional experience, including the range of fields covered, the type, length and level of work done and its relevance to the areas of work for either profile in Section 3;

· Your experience in managing multidisciplinary teams in the public or private sector.

Assets for the operational Head of Unit profile:

· Experience in applying scientific or technical advice within a policy or regulatory context.

Other assets for profile:

· Proven work experience in implementing and guiding teams through organisational change or unit-level innovation initiatives with tangible results.

· Extensive experience managing activities in data-intensive or highly digitalized environments, specifically involving the oversight of data management platforms or digital workflows.

· Completion of management-level training or professional certifications in leadership, data management, or digital transformation relevant to middle-management responsibilities.

· Work experience gained in a similar multicultural environment.

6\. How to apply

You can submit your application and find more information (the vacancy notice and application form) on ECHA website (Open positions - ECHA). The deadline to fill in the application form is 29 May 2026 at noon 12:00 Helsinki time (11:00 a.m. CEST).