Head of Technical Section - Facility Operations and Maintenance

The Directorate of General Services (DGS) contributes to the smooth running of the Organisation by performing tasks related to real estate, security and translation, as well as document management and distribution. One of its sub-entities, the Buildings and Facilities Division, consisting of around 30 staff, manages the Organisation’s real estate portfolio and comprises five sections, including the Facility Operations and Maintenance Section. This section, with a team of five, covers the following technical areas: heating, ventilation and air conditioning, high- and low-voltage systems, fire safety systems, elevators and lifting equipment, electromechanical equipment and catering facilities.

As a Head of Technical Section - Facility Operations and Maintenance, you will:

• manage and lead the team: support staff in their development, allocate responsibilities and workload and assess performance; foster a collaborative and harmonious working environment;
• assess short- and medium-term logistical, financial, human, technical and/or methodological requirements; define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs);
• plan, organise, co-ordinate and monitor (including outsourced services, where applicable):

• maintenance and technical upgrade programmes;
• upkeep, maintenance and operation of the technical facilities in the Organisation's real estate portfolio (excluding external offices);
• the section's works and projects, particularly as part of Major Maintenance and Renewal (GER) operations.

• ensure proper implementation of the Council of Europe’s real estate strategy, in particular with regard to business continuity, technical renovation, energy efficiency, sustainable development and digital development;
• run the energy efficiency strategy, implementing optimisation measures in line with the reduction targets set by the Organisation; 
• carry out technical studies for the adaptation and improvement of facilities, prepare the associated documentation (technical data sheets, specifications, estimates and calls for tenders) and ensure the integration of projects and new equipment into maintenance and operations, including within the framework of the Capital Master Plan;
• lead the Section's outsourcing strategy, oversee the operational management of a multi-technical and multi-site contract implemented a service provider team of approximately 30 persons, and ensure compliance with performance commitments as well as the availability of the required resources;
• ensure the regulatory compliance of facilities (public buildings, pressure equipment, periodic inspections, etc.) and the efficiency of operational and risk management systems;
• oversee the management of technical data relating to facilities and associated digital tools (CMMS, plans, centralised technical  management systems (CTM), BIM for maintenance and operation, etc.), and co-ordinate the section’s communications.

You must: 

• hold a relevant higher education degree or qualification equivalent to a master’s degree (2nd cycle of the ) in thermal engineering, electrical engineering, power engineering, construction or related field;
• possess at least 5 years’ proven, relevant experience of managing facilities maintenance and operation and outsourced services and contracts;
• have very good knowledge of French, both written and spoken, and good knowledge of English.

You must also:

• be a citizen of one of the member states of the Council of Europe and fulfil the conditions for appointment to the civil service of that state;
• have discharged any obligation concerning national service (military, civil or comparable);
• not be the parent, child, stepchild or grandchild of a serving staff member of the Council of Europe;
• be under the age of 65 years.

 Your application must demonstrate to what extent you have the competencies listed below. To help you doing so, feel free to consult our.

• Managerial - Management of teams
• Operational - Planning and work organisation
• Operational - Analysis and problem solving
• Operational - Concern for quality
• Interpersonal - Teamwork and co-operation

• Professional and technical expertise:

• very good knowledge of CAD/CADD software (Autocad, Revit, etc.), CMMS, etc.

• Managerial - Decision making
• Interpersonal - Negotiating
• Interpersonal - Communication

• Professional and technical expertise:

• knowledge of BIM for operation and maintenance.

This job vacancy is for an international external recruitment. You can consult the conditions of employment (salaries, allowances, pension scheme, social insurance, etc.) on the webpage .

For more information on how we recruit, you can consult the page. This recruitment is carried out in accordance with Article 490 of the Council of Europe Staff Rules. The deadline for applications is indicated in the General information section of this vacancy notice (see above) and is fixed at 23:59:59 (CET/CEST). When applying, make sure your motivation shows how your competencies make your profile the best for the role.

As an equal opportunity employer, the Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified people, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion or belief. Under its equal opportunity policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve gender parity in staff employed in each category and grade. At the time of appointment, preference between suitable people shall be given to the person of the gender which is under-represented in the relevant grades within the category to which the vacancy belongs.

Applicants with specific needs are encouraged to request reasonable accommodations at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact us at , we will ensure that your request is handled.

The information published on the CoE’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication of the vacancy notice. Any changes to these conditions during the recruitment process will be updated on our Portal and will apply at the time of the job offer. Our career's website is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. Should you have remaining questions, please contact us at .