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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, and 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.
Working as a member of the Human Resources Department, within the Directorate of Administration at its Vitacura office in Santiago, Chile) ESO is advertising a local staff position of:
In a new post which responds to increased demand for services, the HR Officer will mainly focus on learning and development initiatives and on recruitment activities. ESO has recently launched a new Learning and Development policy and has established a ''Corporate Development Plan'' (CDP) which it is embarking on, rolling-out with various training course for staff in Chile and Germany. Furthermore, there are a high number of recruitment campaigns planned in the coming years for scientific, engineering and technical staff, as ESO work towards the start of ELT operations
This role is an excellent opportunity for an early career HR professional with 2-5 five year's professional experience to work in an Intergovernmental Organization, which operates in a distinctive way from the private sector or national public sector, to gain valuable HR experience in a dynamic multi-cultural environment. Supporting operations in two counties, the ESO HR Department operates as one international team working between Germany and Chile across different time zones.
Working closely with colleagues in the HR team, the selected candidate will be responsible for:
Learning and Development support:
Recruitment and talent sourcing
The HR Officer is expected to be flexible and available to support other HR projects as may be required.
Effective networker Familiarity with Human Resources operations in international organizations
Bachelor degree in Human Resources, or a degree where Human Resources has been part of the curriculum (please elaborate in your application). A non-relevant degree with relevant professional experience will also be considered. Evidence of continuing professional development in the field of human resource management e.g in learning and development, hiring and talent management, will be an asset.
English is the official business language at ESO, and the position requires an excellent working level knowledge of English both oral and written which will be tested at interview (please do not apply if you are not proficient in working in English as this is an essential requirement). A good working knowledge of Spanish, though not essential, would be an advantage.
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family. ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance via its flexible working and mobile working policies For any further information, please visit https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/localstaff/
The initial contract is for a period of two years with the possibility of an indefinite extension, subject to performance evaluation and operational needs.
The duty station is Santiago, Chile. Applicants should be resident in Chile, living in or around the Santiago area. You must be willing and able to make regular visits as required to our Observatory sites in remote areas.
This is in Career path IV which covers grades A5-B2. Initial appointment level for this role is foreseen in grade B1.
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 only and should include a motivation letter and CV. Please provide the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references in your application, persons unrelated to you, who should be able to comment on your work, and who may be consulted as part of this hiring process. You will be informed beforehand in this case. Please note that whilst the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is acceptable in the formatting of documents, it is expected that the content of those documents is your own.
Please note that you may be required to participate in testing as part of this interview process, and appointments are subject to our standard assessment of medical fitness for work.
Deadline for applications is 9 June 2025
Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
ESO Values
An important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organization 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.
No nationality is excluded, however non-Chilean applicants must have a pertinent working permit, according to Chilean regulations, at the time of the application. The post is equally open to suitably qualified candidates irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.
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