The Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y Salud, M.P. (FPS) has joined the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) of the European Commission (EC).
The European Commission aims to complete the European Research Area (ERA) by establishing an open labour market for researchers within the European Union (EU)—one that promotes geographic, disciplinary, and sectoral mobility, supports researcher training, and offers attractive research careers. This necessarily implies the design of comprehensive strategies for the development of research careers in Europe that facilitate the mobility and incorporation of researchers into other sectors. Among these strategies, HRS4R is a process-based tool that helps bodies and institutions employing and/or funding researchers implement the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (C&C).
The Charter and the Code, through 40 general principles and requirements, ensure that researchers enjoy the same rights and obligations in any European country. These documents are intended to enhance research careers and contribute to the development of an appealing European labour market for researchers.
The Charter provides a framework inviting researchers, employers and funders to act responsibly and professionally within their working environment and to recognise each other as such.
The Code sets out general principles and requirements that employers and/or funders must follow when appointing or recruiting researchers.
Institutions and employers adhering to the Code of Conduct (by sending a letter to the European Commission) are deemed to take all measures to implement the principles laid down in the Commission’s recommendation on the C&C for researcher recruitment; In doing so, they openly demonstrate their commitment to act in a responsibly and respectfully and to provide fair framework conditions for researchers, with a clear intention of contributing to the advancement of the European Research Area.
The HRS4R strategy places strong emphasis on the need for institutions to move toward open, transparent and merit-based contracting principles. A key element of the process is the establishment of a professional-development strategy for researchers.
The HRS4R strategy includes the following stages:
- Adherence to the Charter and Code (C&C) and notification of commitment.
- Drawing up of an internal analysis to compare the practices of the institution with the C&C principles (GAP Analysis).
- Publication of an Action Plan to reduce gaps between current practice and C&C principles.
- Evaluation of the Strategy by the European Commission and, if approved, granting of the HR Excellence in Research Award (HRS4R Award). This certification identifies institutions that are working on the progressive implementation of C&C and are committed to its principles.
- Implementation of the Action Plan in the institution and self-assessment two years after receiving the awarded.
- Renewal of the recognition by the Commission (5 years after the issuance of the HRS4R award).
- Continuous improvement, quality commitment and evaluation of subsequent phases (three-year renewal cycle)
La Fundación Progreso y Salud has conducted an extensive internal analysis (GAP analysis) to identify the differences between our current practice and C&C principles. This analysis involved several working groups that encouraged participation from researchers at every career stage (R1–R4). Following the analysis, the HRS4R Working Group agreed on 25 specific actions to align our practices with these principles. As a result, at the end of June 2019 our HRS4R Action Plan was submitted to the European Commission to begin the implementation of these actions—an effort recognised through the award of the HRS4R logo, a mark of our commitment to C&C principles.
If you wish to send us any suggestions or make any queries or contributions, you can write to us at the following address: sistema.desarrollo.profesional@juntadeandalucia.es