CONOPS Expert

EUROCONTROL; Maastricht; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Job summary

EUROCONTROL Maastricht Centre seeks a qualified professional to develop and implement Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), drafting user requirements and ensuring alignment with strategic OPS objectives. You will consult stakeholders, conduct feasibility studies, and coordinate with partners to drive improvements in air traffic services.

The role requires strategic thinking, strong English drafting, and ability to work in a multinational environment.

Qualifications

• EQF Level 6 with 4+ years of relevant professional experience.
• EQF Level 7 with 3+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Knowledge of ATM operations, concepts and European ATM developments.
• Experience in concept development, including user requirement derivation and analysis.
• Experience in operational analysis and data interpretation.
• Understanding of change management and regulatory frameworks (EASA, SES, ICAO).
• Technical drafting skills in English.
• Planning and organising; teamwork; problem solving; communication; analytical thinking.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise to develop, validate and implement CONOPS by drafting and improving lifecycle of CONOPS and requirements.
• Consult stakeholders to identify user requirements and create/review specifications for new concepts/systems.
• Lead studies and analyses to evaluate CONOPS systems and identify enhancement opportunities.
• Gather operational needs, identify trends, and coordinate with internal/external partners to ensure stakeholder satisfaction.
• Support implementation and monitoring of initiatives, ensuring alignment with CONOPS and requirements.
• Attend planning meetings to align with strategic development and OPS Strategy roadmap.
• Participate in cross‑functional teams, workshops, and external forums to share CONOPS expertise.
• Carry out audits and implement recommendations.
• Perform other tasks aligned with the job purpose.

Skills

ATM operations knowledge

Concept development

User requirement derivation

Operational analysis

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Communication skills

English proficiency (technical drafts)

Education

EQF Level 6 (engineering/safety)

EQF Level 7 (engineering/safety)

Job description

• The selected candidate must reside either at this location or within a reasonable proximity that allows for the satisfactory execution of their duties.
• Nature of competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: General conditions of employment governing servants at the EUROCONTROL Maastricht Centre
• Duration of appointment: 5 Year(s) - renewal or conversion of the contract is possible under certain conditions see “Useful information” section
• Security clearance: Security vetting may be required in accordance with the relevant EUROCONTROL security provisions
• Directorate/Service: MUAC/OPS/OPSD - The Head Operations Planning and Strategic Development
• Working arrangement: EUROCONTROL operates a hybrid working model that combines onsite presence with remote work opportunities. Remote working is subject to specific limits set out in internal rules and must align with business needs and managerial approval. Please note that full-time remote work is not permitted.
• Reserve list: Applicable - See details in the "Useful information" section

Your team

Within the The Directorate Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre , the Operations Division (OPS) is responsible for managing the provision of air traffic services to civil and military airspace users, operational concept development and airspace design. It is also responsible for advising the Director MUAC on military ATM matters and civil‑military coordination, and for managing the training of operational and Air Traffic Services Electronics Personnel.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Provide technical expertise, guidance and contributions to the development, validation and implementation of Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and associated user requirements by drafting and improving the lifecycle of CONOPS and requirements, ensuring traceability to defined objectives.
• Consult internal and external stakeholders to identify user requirements for improvements and create and review specifications for new concepts and/or systems.
• Conduct or lead studies, activities or projects regarding feasibility/impact assessments and/or operational analyses to evaluate current CONOPS systems & processes, and identify areas for enhancement/potential synergies/inconsistencies and support decision‑making,
• Gather and assess operational and/or system’s needs, identify trends and patterns, provide reporting and recommendations, coordinate operational/digital solutions with relevant internal & external partners to ensure stakeholder’s satisfaction.
• Support implementation and monitoring of initiatives by coordinating implementation activities of operational changes, ensuring consistency with defined CONOPS and requirements, and monitoring progress.
• Support the operational business planning process by attending Topical Teams and baseline planning meetings to assure planning alignment with the strategic development, proposed concepts and OPS Strategy roadmap.
• Collaborate and share expertise by participating in cross‑functional teams, workshops and external fora, contributing expertise in CONOPS development and operational integration.
• Participate in audits and ensure the implementation of the recommendations.
• Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• Completion of relevant third level studies (engineering, safety, etc.), meeting European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 6 followed by at least 4 years relevant professional experience to perform the advertised responsibilities.
• Completion of relevant third level studies (engineering, safety, etc.), meeting European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 7 followed by at least 3 years relevant professional experience to perform the advertised responsibilities.
• Internal candidates can check on the intranet to see what level of in‑house experience is considered equivalent to educational qualifications where appropriate.
• Knowledge of ATM operations, concepts and European ATM developments
• Experience in concept development, including user requirement derivation and analysis
• Experience in operational analysis and data interpretation
• Understanding of change management and prioritisation processes
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks (e.g. EASA, SES, ICAO)
• Technical drafting skills in English
• Planning and organising: You plan ahead and adapt as required.
• Teamwork: You foster teamwork.
• Problem solving: You anticipate and solve business issues.
• Communication: You are able to foster two‑way communication.
• Analytical thinking: You analyse information and are able to identify relationships.
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result‑driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team‑player approach.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C1.

The levels relate to the European‑framework‑reference

• Applications will be accepted from nationals of EUROCONTROL Member States only.
• The selected candidate may be required to provide documentary evidence confirming they meet the minimum education requirements. They will be informed if and when specific evidence is needed. Please note that no offer (for external candidates) or appointment (for internal candidates) will be made until the necessary evidence, if required, is validated.
• The selected candidate will be appointed in accordance with the provisions of the General conditions of employment governing servants at the EUROCONTROL Maastricht Centre.
• Conditions depending on current type of appointment
  • Internal staff appointed for a determined period
    • Retain their current type of appointment duration.
    • Continue under their existing appointment duration, as appointment durations are not cumulative.
  • The duration of their appointment will therefore not restart upon selection to the new post, i.e. the remaining duration of their current determined appointment continues to apply.
  • Renewal(s): This appointment may be renewed several times, but its total duration, including all renewal periods, may not exceed nine (9) years.
  • Conversion: Conversion to an undetermined duration appointment is possible where all of the following cumulative conditions are met: the post is confirmed as being of a lasting nature; the staff member has completed at least five years of service; the staff member’s performance has been satisfactory; and the conversion is in the interests of the service. Conversion is therefore not automatic.
• Internal staff appointed for an undetermined period
  • Retain their current type of appointment duration.
• At the end of the 5 Year period of the post for which they were selected:
  • If the assignment is extended, they will continue in the post in accordance with the applicable rules.
  • If the assignment is not extended and/or the duties are not confirmed as being of a lasting nature, they will be transferred to another post corresponding to their “previous” type of post, job level, and function group.
• The selected candidate must successfully complete a probationary period of nine (9) months before being established in the post.
• The selected candidate shall be appointed at the grade set out in this vacancy notice, or if a group of grades has been published for a job level, in principle at the basic grade of the published job level.
• Candidates declared suitable who are not selected for the post will be placed on a reserve list for similar roles. The reserve list will be valid for one year from the closing date of applications.
• EUROCONTROL is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality and diversity . In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under‑represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce.