• Function title: Head of Air Traffic Services (ATS)
• Reference: NOC-MA-2023-AD/728
• 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: Head of Unit or equivalent
• Job level: AD13 – Check salary simulations for the basic grade
• Generic job title: Head of Unit
• 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/ATM – Air Traffic Management
• Working arrangement: Hybrid work (remote and onsite)
• Competition publication date: 07/12/2023
• Competition closing date: 18/01/2024 (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 Air Traffic Management (ATM) domain is responsible for executing, sustaining and improving all ATM-related tasks within MUAC. It consists of the Operations Room and the operational support tasks, such as planning and capacity management. The maintenance and development capability for operational procedures, airspace, systems and tools in use, facilities management, change management (programmes and projects) and ATM training related activities are also part of the ATM domain.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Lead and manage daily operations to provide safe and cost-efficient air traffic services, adhering to performance targets and regulatory requirements.
• Co-develop MUAC ATM Strategy and objectives with other Heads of Unit and Head of Division in line with the overall MUAC Strategy and business objectives.
• Implement the agreed MUAC ATM strategy and objectives, manage its range of domains, and resources (budget and personnel), ensuring the cost-efficient allocation and availability of all operational staff, processes and procedures to meet traffic demands and projects.
• Improve and oversee the delivery of air traffic services and ensure a cost-effective and performance-based operational service that meets stakeholders’ and customer expectations.
• Manage and develop the operational staff, ensuring competence levels are maintained.
• Participate in the strategic evolution, development, and planning of future systems, processes and procedures by collaborating with other units within the ATM Domain in order to optimize services based on user needs.
• Manage daily operations effectively in cases of contingency and crisis.
• Develop and maintain an effective strategic network with various stakeholders (ANSPs, aircraft operations, FABEC forums, etc.) and promote and represent MUAC ATS fostering productive relationships.
• Ensure efficient coordination of activities with internal and external partners (e.g., air traffic control centers, aviation authorities, airlines) to enhance air traffic management operations.
• Act as a stand-in for the Head of ATM as needed, assuming leadership and decision-making responsibilities in his/her absence.
• Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• University studies of at least 4 years (e.g., Master’s degree) in a relevant area (Air Traffic Management, Aviation, etc.). or
• University studies of at least 3 years plus one year of relevant professional experience or
• Professional training of an equivalent level
• 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 20 years’ relevant professional experience including at least 5 years experience in management and strategic activities.
• Experience in managing an operational service in the field of Aviation.
• Experience in European Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management (ATFCM) and airspace structure preferably in a multinational environment.
• Experience in Operational Competence management
• Knowledge and experience with advanced en-route operational concepts and airspace management
• Knowledge of advanced operational planning
• Project management skills.
• Stakeholder Management skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to values in line with MUAC DIRECT values, such as: fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, upholding resolute integrity, embracing responsibility, striving for excellence, displaying courage for growth and resilience, and fostering effective teamwork.
• Managing People: Encourages development as support to business objectives.
• Strategic focus: Develops business/service strategy in line with Agency’s strategy
• Customer focus: You know how to develop and implement service excellence concepts.
• Communication: Adapts communication to different situations and audiences.
• Managing change: Manages effectively the change process.
• 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 European-framework-reference 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.
  • This post entails management activities. Established staff members will therefore have to serve a confirmation period of 9 months. This period may be shortened to 6 months if the successful candidate is appointed following a competition preceded by a previous temporary assignment to the post for which s/he was selected. The Director General may also decide not to make subject to this provision if that official has previously been assigned, for a period of 2 years or more, to a post similar to that for which he has been selected and which entailed the same level of management responsibilities.
• 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.