The HR Award / HRS4R

Our Commitment to the HR Award

At CESNET, we are committed to obtaining the prestigious HR Award. This award is granted to universities and research institutions that adopt and effectively implement the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of (Research) Personnel. By pursuing the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), we aim to align our practices with the highest European standards for research and employment.

See the list of awarded institutions here.

Benefits of Implementation:

• Better support for employees to help them reach their full potential

• Access to research funding from both European and local programs

• Support for career growth

• Greater international appeal and visibility

• Clear and transparent hiring processes

• Improved opportunities for employee development and ongoing education

• Connection with a wide network of research organizations across Europe

Take a look at how HRS4R shows up in the different stages of an employee’s journey with CESNET.

 

Our Roadmap to the HR Award

Step	What's happening	When
Commitment	CESNET sent a letter to the European Commission, in which it committed to implementing the HR strategy in line with HRS4R. With the approval of this statement, the one-year period for preparing all documentation began.	sent 06/2024
Internal Analysis	Gaps and weaknesses are identified within CESNET, forming the foundation of an Action Plan for the next two-year period.	1Q + 2Q 2024
Action Plan	A two-year plan for improvement is developed.	3Q + 4Q 2024
Document Preparation	These documents are drafted: the GAP Analysis, Action Plan, OTM-R Policy, and OTM-R Checklist.	By the end of 2024
Submission for Evaluation	The internal analysis and Action Plan are sent to the European Commission for evaluation.	By 06/2025
Award Decision	If all documents are positively evaluated, we will receive the HR Award. The award is granted within approximately 3 months of the validation of all submitted materials.	Approx. 3 months from submission
Award Validity and Renewal	The HR Award is initially granted for 2 years. After internal self-evaluation and approval by the EC, it will be extended for another 3 years.	2 + 3 years
Renewal Evaluation	5 years after the first award, evaluators will visit the institution in person.	5 years after first award

 

HR Award Steering and Working Group

The Director of CESNET has appointed two groups involved in preparing the strategy and documents for obtaining the HRS4R award.

These are:

Steering Group

The Steering Group is responsible for the strategic management of the project, including aligning the proposed changes with the strategic interests of the association. The Steering Group oversees the implementation of HRS4R.

The Steering Group includes the Director, Deputy Directors, and other key roles in CESNET involved in strategic decision-making. The Steering Group meets every two months. Final documents are presented to the Steering Group for approval. These documents are developed in collaboration between the HR Department and the members of the Working Group.

Steering Group Members:

• Ing. Jan Gruntorád, CSc. – Advisor to the Director

• Ing. Radovan Igliar – Deputy Director for Services

• Ing. Jiří Klimt – Deputy Director for Financial and Administrative Affairs

• doc. JUDr. Jan Kolouch, Ph.D. – Cybersecurity Methodology Expert

• Ing. Tomáš Košňar – Technical Coordinator

• Andrea Kropáčová – Cybersecurity Manager

• Ing. Jakub Papírník – Director

• Ing. Jan Růžička – Deputy Director for e-Infrastructure

• Mgr. Tereza Sklenářová – Head of HR Department

• Ing. Helmut Sverenyák – Deputy Director for Research, Development, and Innovation

• JUDr. Jana Zmatlíková – Head of Legal Department

 

Working Group

The Working Group consists of representatives from different research staff categories (R1-R4) and other employees. They contribute to the creation of documents and attend regular meetings, held every two months or more frequently when needed.

Working Group Members:

• Ing. Elisabeth Andriantsarazo – Research Staff (R1)

• Ing. Anna Blaháková – HR Generalist

• Ing. Jan Hoidekr, Ph.D. – Expert Activities in Research, Development, and Operation (R2)

• Ing. Karel Hynek, Ph.D. – Expert Activities in Research, Development, and Operation (R3)

• RNDr. Dalibor Klusáček, Ph.D. – Expert Activities in Research, Development, and Operation (R2)

• Mgr. Aleš Křenek, Ph.D. – Research and Development Specialist in Distributed Computing (R3)

• Mgr. Ivana Křenková – Research and Development Specialist in Distributed Computing (R2)

• Ing. Jan Luxemburk – Expert Activities in Research, Development, and Operation (R1)

• Ing. Klára Moravcová – Systems Administrator and Software Developer (R1)

• Mgr. Tereza Sklenářová – Head of HR Department

• RNDr. Ing. Vladimír Smotlacha, Ph.D. – Activities in Research and Development (R4)

• Ing. Zdeněk Šustr – Expert Activities in Research, Development, and Operation (R2)

• Dr. Ing. Sven Ubik – Head of Technology for Network Applications (R4)

• Ing. arch. Radek Velc – Optical Networks Researcher (R1)

• Ing. Martin Žádník, Ph.D. – Expert Activities in Research, Development, and Operation (R4)

 

Employee Satisfaction Survey

In March – April 2024, CESNET ran a survey to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the association and check how well the core principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers are being implemented. The survey was designed around the key areas of the Charter and the Code to make sure it fits CESNET’s conditions.

A total of 146 employees took part, giving a response rate of 40%. The survey provided valuable feedback to help improve most areas based on the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Following the survey results, additional mandatory documents were prepared for the HRS4R award.

 

HRS4R Documents

In June 2025, the following documents will be sent to the European Commission:

• GAP Analysis – This document reflects the current status of implementing the 40 principles from the Charter and Code, as well as the principles of the OTM-R policy. The analysis is divided into four areas:

  • Ethical and professional aspects,

  • Recruitment of new employees,

  • Working conditions and social security,

  • Education and training.

• Action Plan – This contains the actions to be carried out in the upcoming period. The gradual implementation of these actions will help achieve the goals of the strategy based on the principles outlined in the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The Action Plan includes specific tasks, responsible persons, and deadlines.

• OTM-R Checklist – A self-assessment checklist for an open and transparent recruitment process.

Other internal CESNET documents will be provided to the European Commission via an external storage platform.

 

EURAXESS

EURAXESS is a comprehensive platform for researchers and innovators who want to advance their careers and personal growth through international mobility.
Researchers and employers can find all necessary information on the website https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/.

 

Contact

Ing. Anna Blaháková
HR Generalist / Responsible for the preparation of HRS4R/HR Award documentation
+420 725 135 287
anna.blahakova@cesnet.cz