The aim of the Foundation is to contribute to the planning and establishment of better living and working conditions through action designed to increase and disseminate knowledge likely to assist in this development. Its tasks are to develop and pursue ideas on the medium and long-term improvement of living and working conditions in the light of practical experience and to identify factors leading to change. The Foundation is required to take the relevant Community policies into account when carrying out its tasks. It advises the Community Institutions on foreseeable objectives and guidelines by forwarding in particular scientific information and technical data. The social partners are associated in the actions it undertakes.

The Deputy Director assists the Director in the following functions:

• Directing and managing the Foundation and in implementing the decisions of the Governing Board,
• Ensuring the effective representation and public relations of the Foundation at the most senior level in its dealings with the European Institutions and bodies throughout the European Union, including
• representation of the Foundation at conferences, seminars, and media events,
• Exercising authority over the staff of the Foundation, including their recruitment, stipulation of the qualifications required of them and their dismissal,
• Preparing the activities of the Governing Board and accounting to the Governing Board for the running of the Foundation,
• Drawing up an annual programme of work, and a Four-Year programme, for the approval of the
• Governing Board, taking account of the opinions of the Community Institutions and the Economic and Social Committee,
• Ensuring the quality of the Foundation's work and the development of its reputation as an acknowledged leader in its field of expertise.

Applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

• Are nationals of one of the Member States of the European Union with full rights as a citizen,
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws concerning military service,
• Have a university degree that gives access to postgraduate studies or equivalent professional experience,
• Have minimum 15 years relevant postgraduate professional experience, including five years senior management experience involving responsibility for the management of staff and finance, and including at least five years in the area of work covered by the Foundation,
• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the European Communities and a
• satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the Communities. A good command of English is required, as it is the working language of the Foundation,
• Are able to produce character references as to suitability for performance of the duties of the post.