The Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR) is an international organization with five member states (Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland). Our main task is to ensure the safety and prosperity of navigation on the Rhine. The organization carries the “innovation gene” and ensures that the Rhine fleet can play a pioneering role and meet today’s challenges such as greening, adaptation to climate change, digitalization, personnel qualifications, and the economic position of the sector.

Many of the CCNR’s activities now take place beyond the Rhine in a European context. The CCNR has an international secretariat with around 30 employees, for which we are looking for a board member for the areas of infrastructure, environment, and dangerous goods.

Job Description

With the expected increase in extreme events such as low water levels, the question of adapting the Rhine waterway is coming into focus, which cannot be solved at the national level alone. The range of possible measures is wide and requires that all stakeholders are brought together to work out solutions. With the support of national experts and thanks to your expertise, you will be the driving force behind the development of this adaptation strategy for the waterway. In addition to climate change, you will also work on waterway infrastructure issues such as the need for berths, the availability of locks, or examining the impact of infrastructure projects on shipping.

In addition, shipping safety is an important issue, particularly about the transport of dangerous goods. This transport is regulated by an international agreement: the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN). Together with the Secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, you will manage the co-secretariat of the ADN Agreement and will be responsible in particular for updating the regulations on dangerous goods and on the construction and operation of ships subject to the Agreement in German.

What Should You Bring to this Position?

• Having a master’s degree in a technical field (ideally civil engineering, hydraulic engineering, naval architecture, or mechanical engineering) and knowledge of chemistry and physics;
• Fluent in German, have good English skills and ideally knowledge of Dutch or French;
• You have relevant professional experience (at least five years), ideally in a public administration or an internationally oriented workplace;
• Having good oral and written communication skills and can summarize complex issues clearly;
• You have Belgian, German, French, Dutch or Swiss nationality.

They are Characterized by the Following Properties

Candidates enjoy working on several files at the same time, which is easy for you due to your structured way of working. You can handle a large flood of information, filter out the most important points, and translate them into concrete suggestions for action. You enjoy reading complex technical or regulatory documents to summarize them and filter out the information relevant to your area of ​​activity.

When there are different interests, you reach a consensus with measures that can be implemented by all parties involved. You have a constructive-critical mindset and can persuade. You bring initiative and flexibility and approach your tasks proactively.

You can maintain a professional network both within the secretariat team and with delegations or stakeholders of inland navigation. You are willing to undertake occasional business trips, in particular to the Member States of the CCNR.

What the ZKR offers you

In addition to an attractive and multicultural working environment, when you join us you will receive:

• Four-year fixed-term contract, renewable; the probationary period is six months;
• Monthly salary (after tax) corresponding to salary group A1-A2 of the ZKR staff regulations (€4 400 – €5 800 gross);
• Good social security;
• A 38-hour week, the option of two days of home office per week, and 30 days of annual leave.

Are you Interested in this Job Offer?

Then please send your application (CV and motivation letter) by email by 30 October 2024 to the CCNR Secretariat, for the attention of the Human Resources Manager, Ms. Marie-Christine Romeu, telephone +33 (0)3.88.52.20.05, career@ccr-zkr.org, who will also be happy to answer any questions you may have about the recruitment process.

If you would like to know more about your tasks, please visit our website www.ccr-zkr.org, or contact Mr Raphaël Wisselmann, Chief Engineer, by telephone at +33 (0)3 88 52 20 09 ( r.wisselmann@ccr-zkr.org ).

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