The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is hiring an HR Operations Assistant at its headquarters in Garching, near Munich, Germany. This is a fixed-term staff role within ESO's Human Resources Department, joining a team that delivers end-to-end HR services across the Organisation's sites in Germany and Chile.
About ESO and the HR Department
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe. ESO operates three world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal, and Chajnantor (home to ALMA), and its headquarters are in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
🌌 At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope (VLT)
🌌 ESO is a major partner in ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array)
🌌 ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)
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🌍 All opportunities in Germany →
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Main Duties and Responsibilities
🏠 Administering the relocation and registration of new staff, liaising with the German Foreign Affairs Ministry
🤝 Assisting with the onboarding of staff
💰 Processing benefit and allowance claims
📋 Monitoring staff absences
🔄 Providing back-up for the payroll officer during their absence
🏥 Coordinating and monitoring medical examinations
📂 Dealing with enquiries and ensuring that all individual HR records are kept up to date
Essential Competences and Experience
Proven and recent HR experience is required, ideally gained in an international environment or intergovernmental organisation.
📊 Strong analytical skills with close attention to detail
🖥️ Proficiency in MS Office applications (especially Excel) and ERP systems
🗣️ Excellent customer orientation and communication skills
⚡ Ability to work under pressure and independently
👥 Strong team-working and collaboration orientation
🔒 Discretion and integrity with ability to maintain strict confidentiality
Desirable: User experience of Oracle Fusion
Qualifications
🎓 Full secondary education is required | 📜 A diploma in HR or equivalent professional training is a strong advantage
Language Requirements
🗣️ Excellent command of English (oral, reading, writing) is essential
🇩🇪 A very good working knowledge of German is required
Contract, Duration, and Location
📅 Fixed-term contract of three years, with possible extension | 🏢 Garching near Munich, Germany | 🏠 Relocation to duty station area required
Remuneration and Benefits
💶 Competitive salary, free of income tax for applicants from ESO Member States
🏥 Comprehensive pension scheme and medical benefits
📚 Educational and other social benefits
✈️ Financial help in relocating your family
🧒 Support to place your child or children in daycare
Diversity and Nationality
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO. Recruitment preference is given to nationals of ESO Member States, host states, and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Chile.
How to Apply
Applications must be completed online in English and should include a motivation letter and a CV with names and contact details of three referees. Apply online through the ESO recruitment portal (Job Reference: 2026_0069).
Deadline
⏳ 25 November 2026
Links
Apply: https://recruitment.eso.org/jobs/2026_0069
Conditions of Employment: https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/
