Need for the "HR Excellence in Research Award"

The ‘HR Strategy for Researchers’ supports research institutions and funding organisations in the implementation of the Charter & Code in their policies and practices.

The implementation of the Charter & Code principles by research institutions render them more attractive to researchers looking for a new employer or for a host for their research project.

The European Commission recognises with the “HR Excellence in Research Award” the institutions which make progress in aligning their human resources policies to the 40 principles of the Charter & Code, based on a customized action plan/HR strategy.

Need for the "HR Excellence in Research Award":

At the level of the Institution:

· Meet the requirements of European programmesReinforce ASUE's international attractiveness

Join the European institutions already labeled:
Reaffirm a strong and coherent internal Human Resources policy aligned with projects already launched
At the level of the researcher:

Improving individually the conditions in which research is carried out:

Strengthen respect for ethical principles and professional responsibilities
Ensure greater transparency in recruitment, career development and mobility
Commit to develop better and safer environment working condition
Reaffirm a strong training policy
Background to the HRS4R Process

European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code)

The HRS4R is a process for implementation of the European Commission’s 2005 recommendation on the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code).

The aim of the Charter & Code is “to contribute to the development of an attractive, open and sustainable European labor market for researchers, where the framework conditions allow for recruiting and retaining high quality researchers in environments conducive to effective performance and productivity”.

The Charter & Code consists of general principles and requirements applying to researchers at all different stages of their careers as well as to employers, calling for researchers, employers and funders alike to act responsibly and professionally. The principles can be divided into four areas:

Ethical and professional aspects
Recruitment and Selection
Working Conditions and Social Security
Training and Development
The European Commission developed the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers tool (HRS4R) to help employers implement the Charter & Code. The HR Excellence in Research award is awarded to research institutions following 1) an internal analysis of the institution’s HR policies and practices relating to researchers with an action plan for further development and 2) an external assessment.

Recipients of the HR award commit to implement their action plan and continue to improve in order to provide a stimulating working environment and attractive career development opportunities. Progress is ensured through recurring internal and external reviews.

Gap Analysis
The aim of Gap Analysis of the University is to compare their practices on ethical and professional aspects, recruitment, working conditions and social security and training, with principles established on the Charter & Code.

The gap analysis seeks to answer the questions "where are we?" (current state) and "where do we want to be?" (target state), as an institution, with regard to the 40 principles of the Charter and Code. The gap analysis provides a clear picture of the development needs, while identifying any deficiencies or shortcomings to be overcome.

OTM-R
Checklist for Open, Transparent Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) The OTM-R checklist is a specific self-assessment checklist provided to report on the status of achievement in terms of the implementation of OTM-R policies and practices, which aims at making research careers more attractive, while facilitating mobility and equal opportunities for all candidates. The OTM-R checklist builds on the Charter & Code principles related to the Recruitment of Researchers.

Action Plan
The action plan is a sequence of activities that must be carried out in order to help the institution pass from the current state to the target state, with regard to the implementation of the 40 principles of the Charter & Code.

They will address the improvement needs identified in the Gap Analysis and the OTM-R checklist.