ICFO strives to offer its researchers and personnel the best working and career-enhancing conditions.

The “HR Strategy for Researchers” supports research institutions and funding organisations in the implementation of the Charter & Code in their policies and practices. With the ‘HR Excellence in Research Award’, the European Commission recognizes 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.

In January 2014, ICFO endorsed a Declaration of Commitment to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, adopted by the European Commission as a Recommendation to the Member States in 2005. It also committed to work towards the implementation of an “HR Strategy for Researchers” to establish a framework and detailed action plan with the aim of improving the research experience at the center. Subsequently, a Core Committee was created to perform an internal analysis. Following the EU recommendations, this committee established a framework and detailed action plan for the implementation of the HR Strategy for Research at ICFO. The Core Committee was responsible for assessing and following-up on the implementation of the HRS4R Action Plan.

In 2015 ICFO was granted the “HR Excellence in Research” award by the European Commission to help promote the institute as a provider of a stimulating and favorable work environment, highlighting the center’s commitment to implement fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures for researchers.

In 2018 ICFO undertook the self-audit which highlighted achievements and identified further actions to be strengthened in the following years. With this process, ICFO successfully passed the Interim assessment step.

ICFO firmly believes in the benefits of the HRS4R to encourage institutions to implement the Charter & Code in their policies and practices. It trusts that this will render the institute more attractive to researchers looking for new opportunities. It also recognizes that this has been a key element for the continuous enhancement of institutional policies towards a full alignment with the 40 principles of the Charter & Code and the embedding of these practices in institutional procedures.

In this line, ICFO is now undertaking the renewal process of the “HR Excellence in Research” award. The requested internal analysis for this process has already been performed  which will be finalized with the Site Visit / Assessment Audit.

The following strategic objectives have been defined within the current Action Plan:

• Continuous enhancement of the Recruiting & Hiring Life-Cycle.
• Continuous enhancement of the Career Development Plan.
• Continuous enhancement of Good Practices in Research.
• Continuous enhancement of the Research Environment.
• Continuous improvement of the Information Channels and Admin Work-flows.