Description

Reporting to the Head of the Accounting Division in the Finance, Planning and Controlling Department, Directorate of Directorate of Resources and Services, you will be responsible for operating, implementing and monitoring the Agency's cost management process.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• being the custodian of and leading the evolution of the Agency's cost model, as well as defining efficient cost allocation keys and methodologies for recharging secondary costs and SLAs;
• liaising with the Business Unit Controllers and ensuring a consistent ESA-wide approach to the preparation of cost plans for each analysis centre;
• calculating, validating and disseminating the rates for direct staffing, services and facilities, including overhead absorption and the assessment of nominal capacity;
• ensuring complete and accurate direct and indirect cost allocation, including cost variance analysis and the agreed corresponding treatment;
• maintaining a robust internal control system, contributing to risk management and leading the evolution of the cost accounting system, process and procedures;
• maintaining and ensuring the robustness and completeness of the Agency's time accounting system (TAS);
• contributing to the closure of the Agency's accounts from a cost accounting perspective by preparing periodic reports and notes to the Financial Statements;
• producing Segment reports, and ensuring timely responses to all requests from auditors regarding cost accounting;
• acting as a focal point for all IT projects in the area of cost accounting, with the objective of improving overall business performance in alignment with Agency and Directorate goals, including digitalisation, procedures, methods and IT requirements;
• leading, managing and ensuring the well-being of the team of cost analysts and cost accountants in the Section;
• supporting ongoing ESA transformation activities with ad hoc impact analysis on recharge rates and providing recommendations to mitigate potential adverse effects on project costs;
• supporting and leveraging ESA's digitalisation efforts to further optimise and automate cost accounting reporting processes.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook 

Education

A master's degree in accounting, economics or a financial discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should have:

• strong problem-solving skills to cope with operational day-to-day challenges, as well as demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• the willingness to take on demanding tasks and new challenges in a rapidly evolving and changing environment;
• the potential to manage individuals or a team;
• the ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused. 

People management experience would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.