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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 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, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA. On Cerro Armazones, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
For its Internal Audit Office at the Headquarters in Garching near Munich, Germany, ESO is opening the position of
The Internal Audit Office operates independently and reports directly to the Director General. The Internal Auditor will support the Head of Internal Audit in a broad range of activities, from the review of accounting records and assessment of procedural compliance, to evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.In doing so, the Internal Auditor will interview and interact with personnel and management at various levels across the organization.
The role primarily involves assessing the reliability and integrity of financial and operational information, evaluating the efficiency and economy of resource utilisation, and reviewing compliance with internal rules, policies, and procedures. Audits are conducted according to a structured audit plan approved by the Director General.
In addition, the Internal Auditor will collaborate with the External Auditors for ESO to foster a constructive and professional working relationship and ensure optimal audit coverage.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Autonomously perform audits in a professional, timely and accurate manner and in accordance with the International Standards on Auditiing (ISA);
- Issue audit reports and presentations with results and recommendations to management;
- Undertake cross-functional audit work;
- Develop sustainable control improvements;
- Responsibility for conducting investigations into allegations of irregularities, if required;
- Risk and control assessments to evaluate risk, determine control objectives and verify the extent to which control techniques meet business objectives in the organisation;
- Advising on risk management, governance and compliance;
- Additional and/or ah-hoc audit-related tasks as assigned.
Reports to:
Head of Internal Audit Office.
Key Competences and Experience
Essential Competences and experience:
- At least 5 years of work experience in the field of internal auditing within an international environment;
- Strong experience in writing well analysed and researched reports in a clear and logical manner;
- Ability to, improve governance, and internal control through relevant recommendations
- Knowledge of auditing methods;
- Ability to provide clear, concise and timely oral and written communications at all levels;
- Willingness to acquire new skills, and keep up-to-date with the tools used in daily work;
- Adaptability to new procedures and proactive identification and implementation of ways to optimise current processes and workflows;
- Confidence and ability to work both on own initiative and within teams in an international and multicultural environment;
- Result-oriented, proactive, highly motivated and creative - delivering prompt and efficient service on multiple audit plans under tight deadlines;
- Strong interpersonal skills, discretion and diplomacy;
- A good working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office and of ERP (Entreprise Resource Planning) system(s).
Desirable Competencies and Experience:
- Professional experience in the field of controlling/accounting would be advantageous;
- Experience in working in an Intergovernmental Organisation and Non-governmental Organisations would be an asset.
Qualifications:
Essential
Bachelor's degree in Economics, Law or a related field.
Desirable
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credentials would be desirable.
Language Skills:
A very good command of English both oral and written is essential. A good command of German and/or working knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.
Remuneration and Contract:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.
Our Salary Structure
ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.
Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/
ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.
The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.
Duty Station:
ESO Headquarters at Garching, near Munich.
Career Path: IV
Application:
If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
Deadline for applications is 21.07.2025.
Interviews are expected to take place via MS Teams during the first half of September 2025.
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO Values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation.
ESO provides outstanding services to its communities.
ESO fosters diversity & inclusion.
ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication. Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
Diversity
ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Please visit https://www.eso.org/public/about-eso/sustainability/dei-at-eso/ for further details.
Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.