The incumbent performs the following key duties:

§  advises, designs, plans and carries out the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistical data including:

-      advising on the design and analysing of scientific projects in the field of quality control of pharmaceuticals, in particular of biologicals, from a statistical point of view;

-      initiating and moderating scientific discussions in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) Working Party “Statistics” and assisting in drafting relevant reports and scientific papers;

-      giving statistical advice to working groups and expert meetings during the elaboration and revision of Ph. Eur. monographs;

§  participates in the development, implementation, management and promotion of statistical tools for data analysis in the field of quality control of pharmaceuticals:

-      participating in seminars and training sessions and providing guidance and technical support on statistics and EDQM statistical tools to users both internally and externally;

-      providing user support for CombiStats, the EDQM software for statistical analysis of results of biological assays and promotes its use;

-      drafting and answering users’ questions via the EDQM’s Helpdesk.

§  keeps up to date with developments in the field; maintains co-operation with the relevant bodies; attends and participates in meetings, conferences and seminars in the field;

§  contributes to the continuous improvement of the EDQM Quality Management System.

Please note that the incumbent may be required to perform other duties not listed in the vacancy notice.

Only applicants who best meet the following criteria will be considered for shortlisting.

·      Qualifications: a completed higher education degree or qualification in statistics, mathematics, or subject related to the duties of a statistician.  

·         Experience: at least 4 years experience in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistical data related to biostatistics/biometric analysis or methods applied in the quality control of medicinal products acquired in either a licensing authority, an official medicines control laboratory, a university or the pharmaceutical industry. 

·         Language requirements: very good knowledge of one of the official languages (English) and knowledge of the other (French). 

·         Nationality: nationality of one of the 47 Council of Europe member states.  

·         Age: under 65 years of age at the closing date of the vacancy notice. 

Essential:

§  Managerial skills: management of programmes or projects and coaching of others. 

§  Professional and technical competencies:  

-      Experience: excellent knowledge of statistical principles and practices in the field of biostatistics; good knowledge of biological and physico-chemical methods used for the quality control of medicines; experience in formulating options and conducting independent statistical research and analysis;

-      analytical, problem solving;  planning and work organisation;

-      ICT Skills: ability to use statistical software packages such as SAS, R, CombiStats, etc and common office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).

§  Communication and linguistic skills: communication, writing and presentation skills; can express/present oneself and draft clearly, concisely and convincingly in English. 

§  Interpersonal skills: service and client orientation; team work and co-operation; relationship building; advising. 

§  Personal attitudes: initiative and responsibility; result orientation and sense of continuous improvement; concern for quality, efficiency and accuracy.

§  Personal values: integrity; respect for diversity.

Desirable:

§  Professional expertise: experience in preparing and drafting material of a regulatory or scientific nature; knowledge and experience of working with the texts of the European Pharmacopoeia.

§  Communication and linguistic skills: knowledge of other European languages desirable. 

§  ICT Skills: knowledge of Visual Basic would be an advantage. 

For more information, please refer to the competency inventory of the Council of Europe.

Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system.  By connecting to our website www.coe.int/jobs you can create and submit your on-line application.  Applications must be submitted at the latest 15 July 2015 (midnight Central European Time).  

The selection procedure consists of shortlisting, assessment(s), and a panel interview.  Assessments may include one or more of the following: ability tests, behavioural questionnaires, job-related examinations, situational exercises, language tests, interviews and full assessment centres. At least one assessment will be eliminatory.

Depending on the number of applicants, the length of the required professional experience may be increased.  

Candidates with the best results in the previous stages of the procedure (tests, exams, etc.) will, as a last stage of the procedure, be invited for an interview with a panel.

Following this competition, a reserve list of successful candidates, in order of merit, may be established. This list will be valid for two years with the possibility of extending it to a maximum of four years. It should be noted that placement on a reserve list does not give candidates the right to an appointment within the Council of Europe.  The choice of candidates from a reserve list is not made solely according to the order of merit but also takes into account the requirements of the position to be filled and the qualifications of the candidates. 

During the period of validity of the reserve list, candidates on the list may be offered employment on a fixed-term contract, which may be renewed one or several times. There is a statutory probationary period of two years.

The compulsory retirement age is 65. 

Details on conditions of employment including salaries, allowances, pension scheme and social insurance can be consulted on our recruitment website. 

Under its equal opportunities policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve parity in the number of women and men employed in each category and grade. In the event of equal merit, preference will therefore be given to the applicant belonging to the under-represented sex.

The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.

During the different stages of the recruitment procedure, specific measures may be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities.

The Organisation 

The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading organisation in the protection of human rights, democracy and rule of law. It was founded in 1949 in order to promote greater unity between its members  and  now includes 47 member states, all having signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights.

By Statute, the Council of Europe has two constituent organs: the Committee of Ministers, composed of the member States’ Ministers for Foreign Affairs, and the Parliamentary Assembly, comprising delegations from the national parliaments. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe represents the entities of local and regional self-government within the member States. The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and impartial institution within the Council of Europe mandated to promote the awareness of and respect for human rights in member states.

The European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body which oversees the implementation of the Convention in the member states. Individuals can bring complaints of human rights violations to the Strasbourg Court once all possibilities of appeal have been exhausted in the member state concerned.

The Council of Europe has its permanent headquarters in Strasbourg (France) and in addition it maintains external presence in more than twenty countries. More information about Council of Europe external presence.

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (http://www.edqm.eu) is a leading organisation that protects public health by enabling the development, supporting the implementation and monitoring the application of quality standards for safe medicines and their safe use. Its standards are recognised as a scientific benchmark world-wide. The European Pharmacopoeia is legally binding in European member states.  Similarly, the EDQM develops guidance and standards in the areas of blood transfusion, organ transplantations and consumer health issues.  Its mission is to contribute to the basic human right of access to good quality medicines and healthcare and to promote and protect human and animal health.

External recruitment procedure organised in accordance with Article 15B of the Regulations on Appointments