Medicines and Medical Devices Shortages Specialist
Job grade: AD 6Internal job grade and Interagency: AD06 and above
Type of position: Temporary agent
Selection procedure reference: EMA/AD/11585
Job title: Medicines and Medical Devices Shortages Specialist
Talent Pool: AD06 Science & Regulation
Deadline for applications: 05 October 2026 at 23:59 CET
Salary: 6961.29 Euro (including local weighting) [1] plus benefits (see calculators on the right) (based on a fulltime contract (40hrs/week))
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (relocation to take up duties is mandatory)
Role summary
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Supply and Availability of Medicines and Devices (TRS SAM) team is looking for a highly motivated professional to join their dynamic and high-impact team. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the availability and supply resilience of medicines and medical devices across the EU, while working closely with senior stakeholders from the European medicines regulatory network, the European Commission, industry, patients and healthcare professionals and international partners.
You will provide scientific and secretariat support to the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG), the Executive Steering Group on Shortages of Medical Devices (MDSSG), and the Medicine Shortages Single Point of Contact (SPOC) Working Party. The role involves coordinating key activities, preparing scientific analyses and decision-making materials, facilitating stakeholder collaboration, and supporting the management of medicine shortage and supply issues that can directly impact patient care across Europe.
You will also contribute to the implementation of the new EU pharmaceutical legislation, with a particular focus on the prevention, mitigation, and management of medicine shortages. This includes supporting the identification and management of supply chain vulnerabilities affecting critical medicines, coordinating the management of critical shortage cases and shortages of centrally authorised medicinal products, and helping to develop innovative regulatory approaches to strengthen Europe’s preparedness and ensure continued availability of medicines for patients.
Here is the link to the Role Description of Medicines and Medical Devices Shortages Specialist outlining the generic duties and responsibilities: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/role-description-medicines-medical-devices-shortages-specialist_en.pdf
You will provide scientific and secretariat support to the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG), the Executive Steering Group on Shortages of Medical Devices (MDSSG), and the Medicine Shortages Single Point of Contact (SPOC) Working Party. The role involves coordinating key activities, preparing scientific analyses and decision-making materials, facilitating stakeholder collaboration, and supporting the management of medicine shortage and supply issues that can directly impact patient care across Europe.
You will also contribute to the implementation of the new EU pharmaceutical legislation, with a particular focus on the prevention, mitigation, and management of medicine shortages. This includes supporting the identification and management of supply chain vulnerabilities affecting critical medicines, coordinating the management of critical shortage cases and shortages of centrally authorised medicinal products, and helping to develop innovative regulatory approaches to strengthen Europe’s preparedness and ensure continued availability of medicines for patients.
Here is the link to the Role Description of Medicines and Medical Devices Shortages Specialist outlining the generic duties and responsibilities: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/role-description-medicines-medical-devices-shortages-specialist_en.pdf
In this role you will:
- Facilitate the coordination of the implementation of the legal mandate of EMA in the area of availability and security of supply of medicinal products and/or medical devices shortages, in particular with respect to identification of critical medicines (Union list of critical medicines), and evaluation and management of vulnerabilities in the supply chains of those medicines;
- Provide scientific and secretariat support to the MSSG, the MDSSG and their associated Working Parties, Working Groups and subgroups;
- Manage, mitigate and support the prevention of critical shortages;
- Monitor and analyse data on shortages with view to identifying and managing potential or actual shortages of centrally authorised medicinal products.
Apply if you meet these eligibility criteria:
General conditions:
1. enjoy full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway;
2. have a thorough knowledge of English (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the European Union (at least level B2);
3. have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service.
Specific conditions:
1. possess a university degree (minimum of three years) in : scientific (pharmacy, chemistry, biology or an equivalent) or technical (e.g. applied science) discipline that must have been obtained by the closing date of this vacancy notice,
and
2. at least 3 years of professional experience after obtaining the relevant degree, that must have been obtained by the closing date of the publication.
General Condition 1 and Specific Conditions 1 and 2 will be verified firstly based on the application form and then you will be required to provide documentary evidence at the interview stage. Failing to present these documents may result in the disqualification from the selection procedure.
Only candidates eligible will be assessed by the Selection Committee in accordance with the Assessment Criteria below.
1. enjoy full rights as a citizen of a European Union Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway;
2. have a thorough knowledge of English (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the European Union (at least level B2);
3. have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service.
Specific conditions:
1. possess a university degree (minimum of three years) in : scientific (pharmacy, chemistry, biology or an equivalent) or technical (e.g. applied science) discipline that must have been obtained by the closing date of this vacancy notice,
and
2. at least 3 years of professional experience after obtaining the relevant degree, that must have been obtained by the closing date of the publication.
General Condition 1 and Specific Conditions 1 and 2 will be verified firstly based on the application form and then you will be required to provide documentary evidence at the interview stage. Failing to present these documents may result in the disqualification from the selection procedure.
Only candidates eligible will be assessed by the Selection Committee in accordance with the Assessment Criteria below.
You will need to have:
Experience
- 3 years from the time when a university degree was awarded on completion of a minimum of three years of study in pharmaceutical supply chain and manufacturing of medicinal products for human use and/or medical devices obtained through working, for example in industry, EU competent authority, notified body, academia
Skills & Knowledge
- Knowledge of the EU regulatory aspects related to the medicinal product and medical device lifecycle, from research and development, manufacturing to authorisation and post-marketing;
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical supply chains and their vulnerabilities, including end-to-end knowledge of the production and supply process from raw materials and starting materials, API production, intermediates, formulation, manufacturing, and packaging.
Competencies you will need to have:
Role competencies
- Shortage management & availability - Intermediate
Sub-family competencies
- Regulatory frameworks & strategy - Intermediate
- Applied knowledge - Intermediate
Grade competencies
- Adaptability and agility - Intermediate
- Analysing and problem solving - Intermediate
- Prioritising and organising - Intermediate
Core competencies
- Ethics and Integrity - Intermediate
- Team collaboration - Intermediate
- Customer centricity - Intermediate
- Results orientation - Intermediate
- Communication Intermediate
- Cross-cultural sensitivity - Intermediate
- Continuous learning and self-development - Intermediate
The assessment of competencies forms an important part of this selection process. EMA therefore advises you to refer to its Competency Framework for more information on the definitions of these competencies and their associated levels.
These are considered nice to have:
Experience
- In working in a multicultural environment;
- Project management experience in leading, coordination, planning, implementation, evaluation and timely delivery of projects.
Skills & Knowledge
- A clear understanding of the role of EMA within the legislative framework for the regulation of medicinal products and medical devices.
Selection procedure timelines - Please note, timelines may change
Deadline for applications Foreseen: 05 October 2026 at 23:59 CET
Preliminary Assessments Foreseen: Week of 26 October 2026
Final assessments Foreseen: Week of 09 November 2026
Decision expected Foreseen: Last week of November 2026
Deadline for applications Foreseen: 05 October 2026 at 23:59 CET
Preliminary Assessments Foreseen: Week of 26 October 2026
Final assessments Foreseen: Week of 09 November 2026
Decision expected Foreseen: Last week of November 2026
Selection process
Only eligible candidates (see eligibility criteria) will be assessed by the selection committee.
Suitability and qualifications of eligible candidates will be assessed against the assessment criteria and competences in different steps of the selection procedure.
Note: Candidates who fail any assessment linked to any Need to Have requirement, Sub-family competencies, Role competencies, Grade specific competencies, and Core Competencies at any stage of the process are disqualified, despite getting points on other criteria.
Before the start of the selection procedure, it is decided which criteria and competences will be assessed at each stage of the process. Certain criteria / competences will be assessed / scored only for shortlisted candidates during interviews (and/or tests). Please consult the Careers at EMA - Guidance on selection and recruitment (section 1.3. selection procedure) for an overview of the criteria and competences assessed at each stage of the process.
Shortlisting
In order to allow the selection committee to carry out an objective assessment of all candidates in a structured way, as part of their application, all candidates must answer the pre-defined set of questions based on Need to have criteria, Sub-family competences and Role competencies.
The Selection Committee will therefore assess eligible candidates using the information provided in the responses to those questions and in their application. When answering a question, you should include all relevant information, even if it is already mentioned in other sections of your application form.
The Selection Committee will decide to limit the number of candidates invited to the next stages. Please consult the Careers at EMA - Guidance on selection and recruitment (table on section 1.3.6 Preliminary and final assessments) for an overview of the thresholds.
Assessments
Next steps of selection may include preliminary assessments. Most assessments will be conducted remotely (i.e. Webex/Teams, remote test, etc.). All assessments are based on the assessment criteria listed in this vacancy notice.
Shortlisted candidates will participate in personality assessments (e.g. SHL occupational personality questionnaire OPQ32) to assess their Core Competencies (pass score is 26 out of 100 points and above). In addition, selected Core Competencies may be assessed throughout the process.
Additional assessments, such as cognitive (e.g. deductive reasoning) assessments might also be foreseen as part of the selection process. Furthermore, motivation and overall fit for the job and knowledge of EU relevant to role may be assessed.
Please consult the Careers at EMA - Guidance on selection and recruitment (section 1.3.3 selection procedure) for an overview of the criteria and competences assessed at each stage of the process and the type of assessment tolls used.
Reserve list and/or job offers
The aim of this selection procedure is to create a reserve list of qualified and suitable candidates. Each candidate having reached the final step of the selection procedure will be notified via e-mail whether she/he has been placed on the reserve list, and relevant Talent Pool. Candidates should note that the placement on a reserve list and/or Talent Pool does not guarantee an employment offer.
We strongly encourage that candidates do not apply for the vacancies that are at the same grade and the same subfamily as the Talent Pool they have been placed on, as this will not improve their chances of being considered for a vacant post within the Agency.
When a vacancy becomes available, candidates on the reserve list may be contacted for an additional interview.
More information about selection and recruitment (including administrative complaint procedure) at the EMA is available at our careers website.
Suitability and qualifications of eligible candidates will be assessed against the assessment criteria and competences in different steps of the selection procedure.
Note: Candidates who fail any assessment linked to any Need to Have requirement, Sub-family competencies, Role competencies, Grade specific competencies, and Core Competencies at any stage of the process are disqualified, despite getting points on other criteria.
Before the start of the selection procedure, it is decided which criteria and competences will be assessed at each stage of the process. Certain criteria / competences will be assessed / scored only for shortlisted candidates during interviews (and/or tests). Please consult the Careers at EMA - Guidance on selection and recruitment (section 1.3. selection procedure) for an overview of the criteria and competences assessed at each stage of the process.
Shortlisting
In order to allow the selection committee to carry out an objective assessment of all candidates in a structured way, as part of their application, all candidates must answer the pre-defined set of questions based on Need to have criteria, Sub-family competences and Role competencies.
The Selection Committee will therefore assess eligible candidates using the information provided in the responses to those questions and in their application. When answering a question, you should include all relevant information, even if it is already mentioned in other sections of your application form.
The Selection Committee will decide to limit the number of candidates invited to the next stages. Please consult the Careers at EMA - Guidance on selection and recruitment (table on section 1.3.6 Preliminary and final assessments) for an overview of the thresholds.
Assessments
Next steps of selection may include preliminary assessments. Most assessments will be conducted remotely (i.e. Webex/Teams, remote test, etc.). All assessments are based on the assessment criteria listed in this vacancy notice.
Shortlisted candidates will participate in personality assessments (e.g. SHL occupational personality questionnaire OPQ32) to assess their Core Competencies (pass score is 26 out of 100 points and above). In addition, selected Core Competencies may be assessed throughout the process.
Additional assessments, such as cognitive (e.g. deductive reasoning) assessments might also be foreseen as part of the selection process. Furthermore, motivation and overall fit for the job and knowledge of EU relevant to role may be assessed.
Please consult the Careers at EMA - Guidance on selection and recruitment (section 1.3.3 selection procedure) for an overview of the criteria and competences assessed at each stage of the process and the type of assessment tolls used.
Reserve list and/or job offers
The aim of this selection procedure is to create a reserve list of qualified and suitable candidates. Each candidate having reached the final step of the selection procedure will be notified via e-mail whether she/he has been placed on the reserve list, and relevant Talent Pool. Candidates should note that the placement on a reserve list and/or Talent Pool does not guarantee an employment offer.
We strongly encourage that candidates do not apply for the vacancies that are at the same grade and the same subfamily as the Talent Pool they have been placed on, as this will not improve their chances of being considered for a vacant post within the Agency.
When a vacancy becomes available, candidates on the reserve list may be contacted for an additional interview.
More information about selection and recruitment (including administrative complaint procedure) at the EMA is available at our careers website.
Conditions of employment
In principle, the Agency offers a five-year renewable contract. Contracts of a shorter duration may be offered to the candidates.
The successful candidate will be required to relocate to the Netherlands to pick up duties.
[1] The local weighting adjusts salaries to the cost of living in the Netherlands compared to Brussels. The current weighting for the EMA's location in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is 113.2. Please consult the Eurostat and Commission websites for more information on weightings.
Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 - recruitment(at)ema.europa.eu
© European Medicines Agency, 2025. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
The successful candidate will be required to relocate to the Netherlands to pick up duties.
[1] The local weighting adjusts salaries to the cost of living in the Netherlands compared to Brussels. The current weighting for the EMA's location in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is 113.2. Please consult the Eurostat and Commission websites for more information on weightings.
Domenico Scarlattilaan 6 - 1083 HS Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Telephone +31 (0)88 781 6000 - recruitment(at)ema.europa.eu
© European Medicines Agency, 2025. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
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