We are

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), established by the Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085, is a public-private partnership between the European Commission and the Bio-based Industry Consortium (BIC) aimed at supporting sustainability-driven innovation in creating new local value from waste and biomass. It will focus on helping develop sustainable and climate-neutral technologies and replacing non-renewable fossil and mineral resources with biomass and waste to obtain renewable products and nutrients. CBE JU succeeds and replaces the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU) established by the Council Regulation (EU) No 560/2014.

CBE JU intends to:

• increase circularity of bio-based systems by developing circular, climate and environment friendly solutions in all life-cycle stages of bio-based products from sourcing to processing to market applications and consumption.
• develop and expand the sustainable sourcing and utilisation of feedstock, including biological residues, side streams and waste streams from for example agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, forestry, industry and municipal sectors.
• support the development of novel, more efficient and less polluting methods for conversion of biomass into bio-based products through multiscale bio-refinery processing technology. — create new circular value chains for bio-based products and explore new markets.
• support the reviving and development of rural, coastal and peripheral regions through development of appropriate technological solutions, and involvement and empowerment of local bio-economy actors.

CBE JU will mobilise significant public and private sector resources needed to achieve its objectives and will implement a budget of up to EUR 2 billion. It will have approximately 30 staff members. More information on CBE JU can be found in the Regulation (EU) 2021/2085, notably in its Articles 46-56, as well as on the website of the CBE JU.

We propose

The Executive Director is the legal representative and public face of the Joint Undertaking. He/she shall perform his/her tasks with independence and shall be accountable to the Governing Board. He/she shall provide leadership and direction across the activities of the CBE JU and will be central to ensuring staff engagement and promoting a positive and healthy work environment.

The Executive Director will take overall responsibility for the CBE JU’s operations, including budget implementation and ensuring the achievement of the Joint Undertaking’s objectives.

The Executive Director will be responsible for the day-to-day management of CBE JU in accordance with the decisions of the Governing Board, and shall be entrusted, among others, with the following tasks:

• preparing and submitting to the Governing Board key documents such as the draft annual budget and the staff establishment plan, the work programme, the consolidated annual activity report;
• acting as interface between the CBE JU and in particular, the Union institutions and other Union bodies and European partnerships. He/she shall also be responsible for coordinating the necessary interaction and information of all the bodies of the CBE JU;
• supervising the calls for proposals, their management and evaluation processes and signing grant agreements for selected proposals;
• implementing the communications policy of the Joint Undertaking;
• overseeing the CBE JU’s internal control system and of its risk assessments and risk management, while also maintaining overall responsibility to protect the financial interests of the Union within the context of its operations;
• appointing and supervising the CBE JU staff, fostering a good team spirit and working environment.

 A more detailed description of the tasks can be found in the Regulation (EU) 2021/2085. CBE JU replaced and took over the activities of its predecessor BBI JU on 30 November 2021 and therefore, the tasks of the CBE JU Executive Director will also cover the still ongoing activities of BBI JU.

Without prejudice to the respective competencies of the European Commission and of the Governing Board that includes representatives from the European Commission and industry association, the Executive Director shall assume full responsibility for the tasks entrusted to the Joint Undertaking and shall be subject to the procedure for annual discharge by the European Parliament for the implementation of the budget.

The Executive Director will be appointed by the Governing Board of the Joint Undertaking on the basis of a shortlist provided by the European Commission. The open and transparent selection procedure will respect the principle of gender equality.

Equal opportunities

The European Commission and the Joint Undertaking apply a policy of equal opportunities and non-discrimination in accordance with Article 1d of the Staff Regulations. Applications that could contribute towards more diversity, gender equality and overall geographical balance are welcome. The Council Regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe specifically sets out that the procedure will respect the principle of gender balance, and applications from female candidates are particularly encouraged. 

Closing date

The closing date for registration is 4 July 2022, 12.00 noon Brussels time, following which registration is no longer possible.

For more information and to submit your application, please click the 'Apply' button.