Notice of call for expressions of interest - Expert advice in the area of Communication, Digital and Social Science

Notice of call for expressions of interest

Expert advice in the area of Communication, Digital and Social Science (Operational Support Advisor - OSA scheme)

Introduction

EFSA is an agency of the European Union that provides scientific advice to risk managers and communicates on risks associated with the food chain. Through its specialised units, EFSA communicates, engages and cooperates with audiences, stakeholders, organisations and institutions within a strategic partnership framework to improve reputation and ensure preparedness and relevance for the future.

These units:

• Ensure clear, timely and impactful risk communication, corporate communication and internal communication that are targeted and coordinated with relevant partners.
• Devise multilevel partnerships, engagement, community management and cooperation frameworks in line with ecosystem thinking.
• Facilitate knowledge and innovation management, and share and develop sustainable scientific partnership solutions that can support EFSA’s mission.
• Inform EFSA’s scientific outlook through horizon scanning, emerging risk identification, and emergency management preparedness.
• Promote capacity building informed by the definition of strategic competencies.

EFSA activities in the realm of social sciences for risk communication are summarised in its Social Science roadmap and the Future directions for risk communication editorial.

Objective of the call

The objective of this call for expressions of interest is to establish a list of individuals with expertise to assist EFSA in communication, digital and social sciences activities. The delivered work will be reviewed by EFSA staff and/or ad hoc experts for use in digital and social sciences activities and communications.

Fields of expertise

Individuals who are interested in applying to this call are required to ensure that their area of expertise is among the ones listed in Annex V.

A need emerged to expand the portfolio of external experts in the areas of Communication, Digital and Social Sciences, resulting in the present call.

Expected tasks

The selected candidates will be requested to provide expert advice and opinion in specific cases. The experts will provide ad-hoc support in the form of expert advice and opinion on:

1. Designing, improving and governing knowledge organisation and knowledge repositories, including processes for creation, storage, retrieval, reuse, and lifecycle management of codified knowledge.
2. Optimising document and content workflows to improve efficiency, quality, traceability and findability of information, including recommendations for workflow redesign and quality controls.
3. Improving search, indexing and retrieval performance, including tagging and metadata strategies, to enhance accessibility and discoverability across digital environments.
4. Scoping and advising on automation and data pipelines for extracting and structuring knowledge from documents and content, including feasibility, risks, and system integration considerations.
5. Planning and conducting user research and translating findings into actionable recommendations, including interviews, usability testing, personas, journey maps and prioritised UX improvements.
6. Analysing user behaviour and experience data and translating metrics, patterns and trends into evidence-based UX insights and recommendations.
7. Defining and improving user interface and interaction design, including information architecture, user flows, interaction patterns, and the production or review of wireframes, prototypes and design specifications in line with accessibility and brand standards.
8. Advising on web development and web maintenance activities, including assessment and prioritization of improvements and expert review of compliance aspects such as accessibility.
9. Strengthening the communication of geospatial information and map-based outputs, including review of products intended for publication and advice on workflows, checklists and internal guidance.
10. Identifying, assessing and implementing artificial intelligence opportunities for communication and publishing activities, including tool evaluation, use-case selection and alignment with digital strategy.
11. Designing and reviewing experiments and evaluation approaches for AI and machine-learning solutions, including validation strategies, performance monitoring and improvement of reliability, fairness and interpretability.
12. Designing and improving conversational AI and chatbot initiatives, including requirements definition, content strategy, user experience considerations, technical integration constraints and monitoring approaches.
13. Designing and improving scientific writing and scientific publishing communication, including the development and improvement of plain language summaries and other communication content related to scientific outputs.
14. Designing and reviewing visual communication solutions, including data visualisation, information design, visual identity and branding management.
15. Supporting strategic communication planning and campaign delivery, including campaign design, message adaptation, implementation planning, coordination and evaluation of results.
16. Designing and improving social media strategy, content and community management, including campaign and event support, analytics, evaluation and innovation in brand presence.
17. Designing and improving media relations, press management and broader media activities, including editorial planning, reputation considerations and monitoring of media outcomes.
18. Providing language-quality support for communication materials, including translation and localisation, linguistic quality assurance, editing and proofreading to enhance clarity and consistency.
19. Designing, developing and reviewing self-paced digital learning and training modules, including content structuring, learning objectives, usability and accessibility considerations.
20. Supporting internal communication for digital transformation and AI initiatives, including preparation of internal materials, coordination of messaging and support to webinars, workshops and training sessions.
21. Designing and conducting qualitative research, including study design and analysis and translation of findings into actionable recommendations.
22. Designing and conducting quantitative research, including survey and experimental design, data analysis and interpretation of results for decision-making.
23. Providing econometric, marketing and impact-evaluation support, including quantitative modelling approaches and interpretation of results.
24. Providing statistical modelling support, including regression, causal inference and predictive modelling, and clear communication of assumptions, limitations and conclusions.
25. Designing and improving data and technology enablers for analytics and reporting, including databases, API-enabled workflows, dashboarding and programming practices.
26. Designing and improving KPI definition, measurement and business intelligence reporting, including the use of BI tools for insights and decision support.
27. Designing and improving social media monitoring and listening activities, including the use of analytical and AI-based tools and interpretation of findings for communication strategy.
28. Developing training materials and/or training programmes and/or delivering training courses as tutors, in areas included in this call, such as communication, community management, knowledge management.
29. Supporting evaluation of tenders or proposals received but limiting the opinion to their field of expertise.
30. Advising on specific elements of tender specifications.

In no case administrative support tasks or secretarial tasks will be assigned to experts.

Procedural aspects

How the list is established and maintained

• Individuals submit an expression of interest in accordance with the rules set out in this notice.
• EFSA as contracting authority will draw up a list of individuals who meet the criteria set out in Annex V.
• When a task becomes necessary, EFSA will select the most suitable expert on the basis of the necessary skills, experience and knowledge.
• The principles of non-discrimination, equal treatment and absence of conflict of interests will be applied throughout the selection process.
• EFSA reserves the right to interview the selected expert/s to verify the declared skills. Should EFSA conclude that the level of skills and competence does not match the skills and competences required by the task, EFSA reserves the right to select another candidate. The interviewed candidate maintains eligibility status for other tasks.
• The task or tasks will be formalised in a contract which defines tasks, duration and total price.

Duration of the list

The list resulting from this call for expression of interests and any further updates are valid for five years from publication of this open call for expressions of interest.

The list resulting from this call for expression of interests will be used exclusively for execution of the tasks described above.

Inclusion on the list entails no obligation on the part of EFSA to award a contract.

Conditions of appointment for an assignment

Remuneration

Individuals shall be remunerated at a fixed fee of 360 euros per day worked.

The individuals shall commit to respect applicable national legislation, including taxation, social security and labour law with regard to any payment received from EFSA.

Expenses reimbursement

Where applicable, travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed under the conditions set out in the contract.

Place of work

Tasks will be carried out in most cases remotely and delivered using electronic communication tools. In certain cases, EFSA may request that specific tasks are carried out on EFSA premises or other sites mentioned in the contract specifications.

Individuals appointed for an assignment do not act or speak on behalf of EFSA and EFSA cannot be held responsible for their actions and expressions.

Requirements

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have citizenship of a Member State of the European Union, of a country of the European Free Trade Association, or of an EU Candidate country. Experts from third countries may also apply and will be considered if the required level of expertise may not be found among nationals of EU, EFTA or EU Candidate countries.

Exclusion criteria

Individuals shall be excluded from participation in the award where they are in one or more of the following exclusion situations:

• The person or entity is bankrupt, subject to insolvency or winding-up procedures, its assets are being administered by a liquidator or by a court, it is in an arrangement with creditors, its business activities are suspended, or it is in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for under Union or national law.
• It has been established by a final judgment or a final administrative decision that the person or entity is in breach of its obligations relating to the payment of taxes or social security contributions in accordance with the applicable law.
• It has been established by a final judgment or a final administrative decision that the person or entity is guilty of grave professional misconduct, including misrepresentation, distortion of competition, violation of intellectual property rights, undue influence in decision-making, attempts to obtain confidential information, or incitement to discrimination, hatred or violence.
• It has been established by a final judgment that the person or entity is guilty of fraud, corruption, conduct related to a criminal organisation, money laundering or terrorist financing, terrorist offences, or child labour and trafficking in human beings.
• It has shown significant deficiencies in complying with main obligations in the performance of a contract or an agreement financed by the Union’s budget.
• It has been established by a final judgment or final administrative decision that the person or entity has committed an irregularity within the meaning of applicable EU rules.
• It has been established by a final judgment or final administrative decision that the person or entity has created an entity in a different jurisdiction with the intent to circumvent fiscal, social or other legal obligations.
• It has intentionally and without proper justification resisted an investigation, check or audit carried out by the contracting authority or relevant oversight bodies.

Other grounds for rejection from the procedure apply where the individual declares previous involvement in the preparation of documents used in the award procedure and this entails a breach of equal treatment, including distortion of competition, that cannot be remedied otherwise.

Selection criteria

Applicants to be shortlisted shall be selected based on their professional and technical capacity to perform the tasks described above or similar ones. In particular, applicants must meet the selection criteria listed in Annex V of this call, covering education, professional experience and competencies, and English language proficiency.