• Function title: Communications and Stakeholder Relations Expert
• Reference: MA-2023-AD/722
• Location: Maastricht
• The selected candidate must reside either at this location or within a reasonable proximity that allows for the satisfactory execution of their duties – Information about living in Maastricht
• Nature of competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: General conditions of employment governing servants at the EUROCONTROL Maastricht Centre
• Type of post: Administrator
• Job level: AD6-AD9 – Check salary simulations for the basic grade
• Generic job title: Expert
• Number of posts: 1
• Duration of appointment: 5 Year(s) – extension or conversion of the contract is possible – see “Useful information” section
• Security clearance: Security vetting may be required in accordance with the relevant EUROCONTROL security provisions
• Directorate/Service: MAAS – Maastricht Upper Area Control Center
• Working arrangement: Hybrid work (remote and onsite)
• Competition publication date: 30/11/2023
• Competition closing date: 11/01/2024 (23:59 Brussels time)
• Reserve list: Applicable – See details in the “Useful information” section

Your team

Within the Directorate Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre, the “Stakeholder Relations” service manages the stakeholder relations and customer consultations processes. It also manages internal/external and crisis communications.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Identify and map all key stakeholders associated with MUAC, considering their power and impact and coordinate the development of individual Stakeholder Management Plans in collaboration with senior management.
• Develop the MUAC communications policy, including the annual stakeholder relations and communications action plan.
• Maintain all process documents related to stakeholder relations, ensuring their accuracy and accessibility.
• Provide input for key management documents and develop stakeholder engagement strategies that support MUAC’s goals and objectives.
• Establish and nurture appropriate communication channels with specific stakeholders; set up, maintain, and regularly review various communication channels and tools.
• Manage EUROCONTROL/MUAC’s corporate image and publications, serving as the primary point of contact for media relations and acting as a spokesperson.
• Manage the crisis communications arrangements for MUAC and evaluate their effectiveness continuously;
• Coordinate MUAC’s stakeholder relations and communication strategies with the Agency’s Corporate Communications Team (DG/COM) to ensure consistency and alignment with Agency strategies especially in times of crisis.
• Monitor political, business, environmental, social, and public affair trends, providing insights and recommendations to the Head of Unit, particularly on aviation-related matters and other pertinent information.
• Actively promote and represent MUAC in various stakeholder events and fora as required; develop and manage relationships to expand MUAC’s network and influence within the industry.
• Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• Completed university studies of 4 years in a relevant domain (e.g., journalism, communications, business, marketing/PR) or completed university studies of 3 years plus 1 year of relevant working experience
• Internal candidates can check on the intranet to see what level of in-house experience is considered equivalent to educational qualifications where appropriate.
• In addition to the above, a minimum of 3 years’ relevant working experience to execute defined duties.
• Experience in engaging with and managing interactions with the media.
• Experience in developing corporate communication strategies, including press releases, online communication, speeches, copywriting, drawing up reports and internal communications.
• Experience in engaging with and influencing multidisciplinary internal and external stakeholders, with experience in a multi-national stakeholder setting as an advantage.
• Experience in advising senior management on stakeholder relations and communications.
• Understanding of national and international media, preferably within the aviation trade press.
• Understanding social media dynamics and their role in modern communication.
• Experience in crisis communication, with the flexibility to be available outside regular office hours as needed.
• The following skills and experience will be considered as advantages:
  • Experience in developing video concepts and scripts
  • Experience in monitoring the outreach and evaluating communication statistics to ensure the effectiveness of the communication strategies.
  • Knowledge of aviation-related matters, enabling the drafting of comprehensive and sometimes complex articles within this specialised context.
  • Experience with/understanding of diplomatic protocol and etiquette.
• Communication: You are able to adapt communication to different situations and audiences.
• Networking: You maintain and expand effective networks.
• Teamwork: You foster teamwork.
• Planning and Organising: You are able to plan ahead and adapt as required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written Dutch, and/or French and/or German.
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result-driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team-player approach.
• The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C1.
  The levels relate to the Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).

Useful information

• Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only.
• The selected candidate will be offered a contract of 5 Year (s) pursuant to the provisions of the Staff Regulations governing officials at EUROCONTROL. The contract may be renewed up to a maximum of 9 years or converted into an undetermined contract. Before being established in the post, the selected candidate will be requested to provide certified copies of their degrees and successfully serve a probationary period of 9 months.
• Internal candidates
  If selected, the person will keep their current type of appointment duration (undetermined or determined).
  The internal staff member with a determined contract will be offered, in principle, an appointment for 5 Year(s) with a maximum total duration of 9 years.
• The successful candidate shall be appointed at the grade set out in this vacancy notice, or if a group of grades has been published for a job level, in principle at the basic grade of the published job level.
• Candidates declared suitable who are not selected for the post will be placed on a reserve list for similar roles. The reserve list will be valid for one year from the closing date of applications.
• Information on salary and benefits can be found on our Careers site
• EUROCONTROL is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality and diversity. In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under-represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce.
• Candidates should go to our Careers site and read the tips on how to apply.