EMA Begins Search for Next Executive Director
As Guido Rasi wraps up his second five-year term as the executive director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on 15 November 2020, the search for a new head began officially on Tuesday.Based on the selection and eligibility criteria for the next executive director, according to a vacancy notice published in the Official Journal of the European Union, finding the right candidate will be a difficult process.
For instance, prospective candidates will have to manage a budget of €338 million ($379 million) and 810 staffers, be well-versed in European pharmaceutical regulations and legislation and have a thorough knowledge of one EU language but also have a satisfactory knowledge of another.
As far as experience, the job posting says that ideally it should be from a national, European or international public administration involving contacts with the pharmaceutical industry.
“The Executive Director will be appointed by the Management Board of EMA on the basis of a list drawn up by the European Commission, after having made a statement to and answering questions from the European Parliament,” the vacancy notice says, noting multiple rounds of interviews.
And the selection procedure will be carried out in English and/or French only. Applications may be submitted online by 13 June.
The new executive director will be the fourth in EMA’s history. In addition to Rasi, who took up his position in November 2015 and also served as EMA’s leader from 2011 to 2014, prior EMA executive directors were Fernand Sauer (1994-2000) and Thomas Lönngren (2001-2010).
Vacancy Notice for the Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Amsterdam (Temporary Agent — Grade AD 14)