Human Resources Advisor
Serve as HR focal point for staff and managers, advising on people management
Overview
Serve as HR focal point for staff and managers, advising on people management
You have:
- A master's degree with a specialisation in HR management and/or personal development is required for this post.
- At least four years of professional HR experience is required.
- Significant experience of recruitment in an engineering, scientific or technical environment is necessary.
- Knowledge of applicable legal frameworks affecting HR, such as labour law and social security law, is desirable.
- Qualifications in coaching or mediation would be an asset.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a high level of skill in oral and written communication are required.
- Capability to work in collaboration and partnership with clients and exercise discretion and sensitivity when dealing with confidential information is necessary.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and work autonomously is needed.
- Willingness to complete from three to six months of training at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands is required.
- A good knowledge of one of the working languages (English or French) is required, and knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
This is a non-renewable post for a limited duration of four years.
Location ESA Headquarters, Paris, France
Description
Together with the HR Business Partner to whom you report, you will serve as the HR focal point for staff and managers within the client group assigned to you. Your dedicated client group may be based at various locations across Europe and may evolve over time. Your activities will focus on the needs of your client group and the wider organisation.
Duties
HR Advisors provide individual support and advice to their client group, with an emphasis on people management and talent development. The role of the HR Advisor includes promoting a positive work environment and the Agency’s HR management practices. You will take the lead in recruitment activities and will act as the HR representative in the associated interviews. You will advise staff on mobility, career management and the development of skills and competences. You will also provide support to staff and managers for all aspects of performance management. Together with the Business Partner, you will support staff planning activities and implementation tasks. You will also play a key role in change management initiatives in close collaboration with your client group. HR Advisors play an important role in the ongoing improvement of HR policies and processes. You will be required to draw upon your expertise to contribute to or lead improvements or new HR initiatives. HR Advisors coordinate their methodologies and activities through a network of HR Advisors. They work in close coordination with the other areas of the HR Department, the local HR Manager, the HR Support Services, such as Staff Administration and Recruitment, the Competence and Policy Centre, welfare officers and ESA medical staff.
Regular travel will be required.
Technical competencies
Knowledge of and experience in working with and applying HR policies, processes and tools
Deep knowledge and substantial experience of the full-cycle operational recruitment process with relevant insights into selection tools, sourcing and personnel marketing methods
Knowledge of and experience in coaching and mediation techniques
Knowledge of change management principles
Knowledge and experience of career management
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
A master’s degree with a specialisation in HR management and/or personal development is required for this post.
Additional requirements
We are looking for a new colleague with at least four years of professional HR experience and a solid understanding of best practices. An understanding and experience of the applicable legal frameworks affecting HR, such as labour law and social security law, is desirable. Significant experience of recruitment in an engineering, scientific or technical environment is necessary. Qualifications in coaching or mediation would be an asset. You have strong interpersonal skills and a high level of skill in oral and written communication. You are capable of working in collaboration and partnership with clients and exercise discretion and sensitivity when dealing with confidential information. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can work autonomously. You will be required to complete from three to six months of training at our largest centre, ESTEC, in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email protected].
Important Information and Disclaimer In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages Please note that applications can only be considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you successfully managed a challenging recruitment process? | This question assesses your recruitment experience and ability to handle challenges. | Provide specific examples of your recruitment strategy and outcomes. |
| How have you contributed to improving HR policies in a previous role? | The interviewer wants to understand your initiative in HR improvements. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Give an example of how you have handled a conflict between team members. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to foster cooperation within a team? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a successful change management initiative you have led. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |