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Working at ESO
Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online. Read more..
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre European Extremely Large Telescope, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
For its IT Group in Chile, ESO is opening a Local Staff Member position of
Head of IT Group Chile
Santiago
Deadline 18/03/2016
ESO facilities are spread over 5 sites in Germany and Chile, and it operates advanced LAN and WAN communication links between these sites as well as with our many external partners to facilitate Observatory operations and support functions. The Telescope control systems are a custom-built environment of software and applications mainly running on Linux environment. The End-User support is provided for Windows, Mac and Linux clients within Chile offices in Santiago and Observatory sites in La Silla and Paranal.
A mixture of ESO IT staff (all with third level qualifications) and service providers provide IT services.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of IT Group Chile is part of the Management of the IT Department, managing the IT Chile Group working in close collaboration with the La Silla, and Paranal Observatory Departments, IT Group Garching and external service providers.
- Provide guidance and leadership to the IT Group Chile and coordinate all IT related activities in all ESO sites in Chile, managing IT Group Chile located mainly in Santiago and Paranal Observatory and consisting of 5 Local Staff Members
- Lead the analysis and recommendation for IT infrastructure to support new instruments and facilities coming to Paranal, leading the assessment of their impact on existing Observatory infrastructure and planned designs; lead the implementation of these changes
- Supervise and ensure the implementation of IT infrastructure upgrades with the ESO staff and service provider
- Ensure day-to-day technical support to the ESO business; proactively implementing corrective measures to prevent business disruption
- Proactively explore for continuous improvements in processes to achieve the best quality, cost effectiveness and reliability
- Part of the IT Management team of the IT Department consisting of other team members in Garching
- Facilitate and ensure top-down and bottom-up bi-lateral communication to IT Department, Stakeholders and Projects in Garching, Germany
- Monitor the quality provided by IT service providers and escalate to the IT management in case of underperformance
- Prepare budget for IT Group Chile
Reports to:
Head of IT at ESO located in Garching, Germany.
Experience:
At least five years of experience in the field. The candidate must have hands-on experience in managing complex IT Infrastructures, demonstrable people management skills, and experience in working in projects. Managing contracts and service providers is a must.
Key Competences:
- People Management skills
- Good technical understanding of Unix-Linux and Network Infrastructures
- Excellent communication skills and aptitude for working in a multi-cultural team
- Constructively addresses disagreements and manages conflict
- Service-oriented attitude
- Structural way of working
- Management of contracts and service providers
- Experience in working in projects and preferably in a matrix organization
- A good command of English language as well as good documentation skills are required
Qualifications:
University degree in Computer Science or equivalent and the following certification: ITIL v3 Foundation desirable or willing to achieve within 3 months from commencing Preferably qualified in technical areas such as Networks (Cisco) and good understanding of Unix-Linux, storage etc. Working in projects is an advantage
Language Skills:
The position requires a good command of English, both oral and written. Knowledge of Spanish is not mandatory, but willingness to learn is essential.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary and comprehensive medical and educational benefits.
The initial contract will be a two years fixed contract with the possibility of renewal, subject to evaluation.
Duty Station:
Santiago office in Vitacura (about 70 %) and Paranal Observatory (30 %), located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. Occasional travel to other ESO sites such as La Silla Observatory and Headquarters in Garching is required on request. Place of residence shall be Santiago.
Career Path: V
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (<http://www.eso.org>) for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at https://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV.
Closing date for applications is 18 March 2016
The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.