Project Officer

Type of contract: Contract Agent 3a

Type of Post: Project Officer

Type of publication: External

Function group/Grade: FG IV

Duration of contract: 3 years

Place of employment: Brussels, Belgium

Deadline for applications: 31 August 2026, 23:59 (CET, Central European Time, Brussels time)

Reserve list valid until: 31 December 2028

Number of persons to be recruited: Creation of a reserve list for future posts.

Number of persons for the reserve list (estimated): 9

Introduction

The Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips Joint Undertaking) is a public-private European Partnership aimed at leveraging investments in the electronics sector in Europe to research and develop innovative key digital technologies. The Chips Joint Undertaking fosters research and innovation collaboration between stakeholders such as industry, public authorities, academia, and research and technology organisations, pulling together and focusing efforts. The Chips Joint Undertaking’s strategy is aligned with the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and the programmes of Participating States to attract private investments and contribute to the effectiveness of public support by avoiding unnecessary duplication and fragmentation of efforts, thus contributing to the development of a strong and globally competitive industry in the European Union.

The Chips Joint Undertaking is based in Brussels, Belgium.

As part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 and in line with the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, the Chips Joint Undertaking is established by Council Regulation (EU) 2023/1782 of 25 July 2023 amending Council Regulation (EU) No 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe. The Chips Joint Undertaking is the successor to the former KDT Joint Undertaking and supports the latter’s ongoing projects.

The Chips Joint Undertaking addresses clearly defined topics that will reinforce the Union’s technological autonomy in electronic components and systems, establishes the Union’s scientific excellence and innovation leadership in emerging components and systems technologies, and ensures that components and systems will address Europe’s societal and environmental challenges.

Members of the Joint Undertaking are the European Union through the European Commission, Member States and Associated Countries to the Framework Programme Horizon Europe on a voluntary basis, and three industrial associations forming the private members of the Chips Joint Undertaking: ‘AENEAS’, ‘INSIDE’ and ‘EPoSS’.

For further information, please consult the following website: <https://www.chips-ju.europa.eu>

Position advertised

Overall purpose

The Project Officer will work together with the administrators of the Programmes Unit and with the programme officers, under the supervision of the Head of Unit for Programmes.

She/He is responsible for support to the different activities developed in the Programmes Unit. Strong emphasis will be placed on responsibility related to the unit data management and the automation of data collection and reporting. In this respect knowledge of data and statistical IT packages will be highly valued.

Duties and responsibilities

The Project Officer duties include:

Support the Head of Unit for Programmes and the programme officers with the coordination and execution of the following tasks:

• Contribute to the process for the Calls, evaluation and selection phase;
• Managing the contracts for experts (in Grant Agreement Preparation, evaluation process, monitoring of the projects), being the contact point for the experts;
• Negotiate and prepare the Grant Agreements and subsequent amendments for the selected projects in close cooperation with the POs, the financial and legal administrative staff; For non-technical projects;
• Monitor and assess the fulfilment by projects and beneficiaries of their contractual obligations, including administrative and financial aspects, in close cooperation with the financial and legal officers and with the assistance when needed, of external experts. Accordingly, take proactive measures to ensure the achievement of the project objectives, including travelling to attend project meetings;
• Ensure timely and adequate dissemination and communication of results of projects of which he/she is responsible;
• Manage the administrative tasks of the Procurement procedures in collaboration with the responsible PO;
• Support the planning, implementation, coordination and follow up of the Programme activities, through the drafting and maintenance of procedures, templates and operational workflows;
• Support and coordination of internal activities of the Programmes Unit by:

a) following up of deadlines, implementation and reporting for the development of operational activities;
b) being responsible for data preparation related to the activities in the Programmes Unit (tables with the budget for funding decisions, tables summarizing the information of the projects for the preparation of reports, technical certificates, etc);

• Maintain and update data on E-networks with stakeholders: web platforms and CIRCABC;
• Execution of the corresponding responsibility in the financial and administrative flows of the organization according to the internal procedures
• Support the Head of Programmes and Programme officers in reporting, impact analysis and operational developments tasks;
• Undertake additional tasks as required in the interest of the service.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Eligibility criteria

Candidates will be considered for the selection phase based on the following criteria to be fulfilled by the closing date for applications:

a) General conditions

• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union and enjoy her/his full rights as a citizen;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service;
• Been able to produce the appropriate character references as to her/his suitability for the performance of her/his duties.
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post.
• Very good command of written and spoken English (C level). Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages and a satisfactory knowledge (at least B2 level or equivalent) of another of these languages to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties (candidates are invited to specify in their CV any language certificates they have obtained which can demonstrate their language skills).
• After closing date, candidates invited for interview: to pass a competition based on either qualifications or tests, or both qualifications and tests.

b) Education

On the closing date for applications, candidates must have:

• A level of education that corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma, and
• At least three years full-time proven professional experience, acquired after obtaining the degree.

Selection criteria

Candidates selected based on the above eligibility criteria will then be evaluated according to the following selection criteria:

a) Essential criteria

• Suitability to perform the tasks described under point 2.2;
• Proven professional experience of at least 2 years in carrying out activities similar to the ones described in the point above 2.2 (forming part of the minimum 3-year experience referred to under point 3 b);
• Proven experience to monitor projects, including financial and technical aspects;

b) Advantageous criteria

• Experience in an EU/international organisation;
• Knowledge of Microsoft IT Tools: Office package, SharePoint;
• Knowledge of EU tools: ARES, Compass, e-Grant, PDM;
• Knowledge of the electronic components and systems industry;
• Knowledge of data and statistical IT packages.

c) Behavioural competences

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure without close supervision, to respect tight deadlines, and to use her/his initiative to solve problems and to take a proactive approach;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills (e.g. the ability to establish and develop good inter-personal relations with a broad range of stakeholders in cross-cultural environments as well as in the team).

In order to be evaluated in the best possible way, candidates are recommended to give evidence of their knowledge with specific examples and/or detailed professional experience. Candidates are invited to be as detailed and as clear as possible in the description of their professional experience and specific skills and competences in their application form.

Failure to comply with the eligibility and essential selection criteria will result in a disqualification of the applicant concerned.

Application procedure

Candidates must submit an online application using SYSTAL vacancies portal.

Candidates are requested to:

1. Complete the online application form in English (main working language of Chips JU and to assist with the evaluation of the level of English of the candidates) - to access the right form, candidates should select the vacancy for which they wish to apply;
2. It is advisable (no mandatory) to upload a letter of motivation and a Curriculum Vitae (CV), both in English (main working language of Chips JU and to assist with the evaluation of the level of English of the candidates) in the European CV format <https://europa.eu/europass/en> in SYSTAL.

Candidates are advised to apply using an e-mail address that will remain valid for several months: candidates that will leave their job in the coming months are advised not to use their professional e-mail address.

Supporting documents (e.g. certified copies of degrees/diplomas, references, proof of experience, etc.) should not be sent at this point. In order to facilitate the selection process, application documents as well as all communications to candidates concerning this vacancy will be in English.

Application forms sent by e-mail or post will not be accepted.

Candidates are asked to report any potential change of contact details without delay, to the following e-mail address: [email protected]

Please remember to quote the reference of the vacancy for which you have applied in all correspondence: Chips-2026-04-FGIV-PO.

Candidates should assess and check before submitting their application that they fulfil all the requirements as specified in the vacancy notice, particularly in terms of qualifications and relevant professional experience.

All documentary evidence of professional experience must indicate both start and end date of previous positions and the start date of the position held currently, full time or part time work has to be also indicated. Freelance or self-employed candidates must provide either a copy of the entry in the relevant trade register, or any official document (for example a tax revenue) showing clearly the length of the relevant professional experience.

Selection procedure

A Selection Committee, appointed by the Executive Director of the Chips JU, assesses the applications in accordance with the eligibility and selection criteria outlined in the vacancy notice and establishes a short-list of candidates for an interview and a written test.

• Written test on a topic related to the job description,
• Interview with the Selection committee.

The Selection committee will establish a reserve list of suitable candidates to be approved by the Executive Director. Recruitment will take place only when a position is available, upon a decision of the Executive Director.

Candidates are reminded that the Selection Committee’s work is confidential. It is strictly forbidden for candidates to make direct or indirect contact with its members or to ask anybody to do so on their behalf.

Appointment and reserve list

The Executive Director may decide to interview the candidates before establishment of the reserve list and/or appointment.

The Executive Director will approve a reserve list. Once a position is made available, candidates in the reserve list will be approached for a last interview with the Executive Director to make a decision on the appointment of the successful candidate. A binding commitment can only be made after the verification of all conditions and will take the form of a contract signed by the Executive Director.

The reserve list may be used to fill other positions of the same nature and of the same grade within the Chips JU.

The reserve list might be used by other Joint Undertakings to cover a similar position: in such a case, candidates will be asked to confirm their explicit consent allowing the Chips JU to transfer their data to the concerned Joint Undertaking.

In this case, the other Joint Undertaking will provide their vacancy notice and conditions of employment (it can be different length of contract) and the vacancy notice will be send to the reserve list candidates to confirm if they are interested in sharing their application for the other Joint Undertaking.

Candidates should note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. Recruitment will be based on availability of posts and budget. The reserve list for this post will be valid until 31.12.2028 and may be extended at the discretion of the Executive Director.

Contractual conditions

The successful candidate will be appointed by the Executive Director of the Chips JU as a contractual agent Function Group IV for a period of three years, renewable pursuant to Article 3(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.

The successful candidate will be asked to perform nine months of probationary period.

After an evaluation of the post holder’s performance, the contract may be renewed in accordance with the Chips JU legal basis. The period of engagement will not in any case exceed the lifetime of the Chips JU.

Remuneration will be based on the Union scale of salaries. Pay is subject to Union tax and other deductions laid down in the Staff Regulations. Remuneration is, however, exempt from any national taxation.

The successful applicant who is offered a contract of employment will be graded in accordance to Article 86(1) of the CEOS, taking into consideration their qualifications and professional experience at the time of entry into service.

Contract staff engaged in Function Group IV shall be graded within their function group according to the following rule (always in step 1):

Qualifications and professional experience: Grade

Less than 5 years: 13

Between 5 years and 17 years: 14

17 years or more: 16

The indicative basic monthly salaries of FG IV are (allowances and contributions/deductions not included):

FG IV grade 13: EUR 4,449.31

FG IV grade 14: EUR 5,034.18

FG IV grade 16: EUR 6,444.59

The place of employment is Brussels, where the JU premises are located.

The working language is English.

For any further information on contractual and working conditions, please refer to the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, which is available on the following web page: <https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF>