Economist, ECHA Helsinki, European Chemicals Agency, Helsinki

1.The job

We are looking for economists who have knowledge and competences in evaluating and carrying out socio-economic analyses, impact assessments and by that contributing to several regulatory processes the Agency is responsible for. These include processes under the REACH regulation as well as new processes under the Batteries regulation, several Directives related to surface or groundwater protection, and other pieces of legislation that the Agency may be responsible for in the future, e.g. in the field of waste legislation. The work applies a cost-benefit framework following the European Commission's Better Regulation Guidelines.

The work of an economist in ECHA involves collaborating with scientific and administrative experts in multidisciplinary teams, and working with experts in other regulatory processes and regulations across the Agency.

In addition to knowledge and competences in socio-economic analyses and impact assessments, the ideal candidate can communicate clearly and effectively. They have excellent project management skills, are solution-oriented and proactive, and have the drive to produce high-quality results within the given timelines.

2. Key responsibilities

At ECHA, an economist will be responsible for the following tasks:

- Carrying out socio-economic analysis of regulating the use of harmful substances as part of REACH or Batteries restriction proposals made by ECHA;

- Contributing to the assessment of the impacts related to the development of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) or indicative values, according to ECHA's new tasks under the Water Framework Directive, the EQS Directive, and the Groundwater Directive;

- Conducting market research and economic analysis of the placing on the market and use of harmful substances and potential alternatives as part of ECHA's risk management activities;

- Providing support as manager or co-manager of teams for REACH applications for authorisation to rapporteurs of the Committees for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) and Risk Assessment (RAC) in order to ensure that their opinions are consistent, efficiently developed and underpinned by sound scientific argumentation;

- Advancing methodologies and approaches to analyse the socio-economic impacts of regulating chemicals and integrating this into the practical work of the Agency, including its guidance documents;

- Contributing to the development or revision of procedures, working instructions and task lists for the authorisation and restriction processes under REACH and other regulations under the responsibility of ECHA, in particular with regard to their interface with SEAC;

- Managing the outsourcing/contracting of specific tasks to institutes/consultants.

3. Minimum qualifications

Successful completion of a full course of university studies attested by a degree, where the normal duration of university education is three (3) years or more.

4. Professional experience

There is no minimum professional experience requirement to be eligible for this profile, beyond the requirements of section 3 above.  

5. Selection criteria

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be assessed on the basis of the following selection criteria.

- Your academic and professional qualifications and their relevance to the main areas of work listed in Key responsibilities;

o Preference will be given to qualifications obtained in environmental, health or public economics.

- Your professional experience: Preference will be given to candidates having experience in functions similar to those outlined in Key responsibilities. The Selection Committee will assess the range of fields covered, the type, and level of work done and its relevance to the areas of work listed in Key responsibilities, particularly related to:

o The development and application of methods of socio-economic analysis in the fields of environment or health;

o Regulatory impact assessment using socio-economic analysis (i.e. cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness analysis);

o Environmental or health risk management and/or related policy development, including regulatory and company-level risk management;

o Economic analysis of markets subject to regulation in the fields of environment or health.

The following will be considered as assets:

- Experience of policy-oriented analysis leading to regulatory outcomes in fields relevant to the position;

- Demonstrated quantitative skills;

- Scientific and/or policy-oriented publications relevant to the position;

- Experience in establishing or managing stakeholder participation in areas of work similar to the ones listed in in Key responsibilities;

- Experience in coordinating complex multi-disciplinary projects;

- Work experience gained in a similar multicultural environment. Preference will be given to work experience abroad.

Your academic and professional qualifications, professional experience and knowledge and experience considered as an asset must be described as precisely as possible in your application.

6. How to apply

You can submit your application and find more information (the vacancy notice and application form) on ECHA website http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/about-us/jobs/open-positions. ECHA is an equal opportunity organisation committed to achieving diversity, as the diversity of ECHA's staff is essential to the Agency's success. The deadline to fill in the application form is 26 March 2024 at noon 12:00 Helsinki time (11:00 a.m. CET).

Please note that the duration of the Temporary Agent contracts is 5 years.