We are:
The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent EU foreign policy. The EEAS supports his tasks of conducting the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his capacity as Vice President of the Commission with regard to his responsibilities within the Commission in the external relations field including the coordination of other aspects of the EU’s external action. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.
The EEAS Strategic Communications 2: Task Forces and Information Analysis Division provides strategic communication support in the implementation of EU foreign and security policy in related priority regions (Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood, the Western Balkans) by developing and implementing specific strategic communication actions focused on advancing EU policies, values, objectives and interests. The Division also plays a leading role in addressing disinformation and foreign manipulative interference by implementing the Action Plan against disinformation (JOIN(2018) 36 final), European Democracy Action Plan (COM/2020/790 final) and relevant Council Conclusions, which outline and call for concrete actions to bolster EU capabilities to detect, analyse and expose disinformation and strengthen coordinated and joint responses between the Union and Member States.
The Division also conducts awareness raising campaigns about the harmful impact of disinformation and contributes to the development of effective policy responses in the EU and at the international level. It manages the EU’s Rapid Alert System and works closely with other EU institutions and agencies to implement relevant policy initiatives tackling disinformation. The Division and its Task Forces contribute to effective and fact-based strategic communication and the strengthening of the overall media environment and civil society in the regions it covers.
We propose:
The position of the strategic communications officer – contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).
We look for:
A highly motivated person for the Contract Agent FG IV position of strategic communications officer to be based within the EEAS Strategic Communications and Information Analysis Division (AFFGEN.7). This Contract Agent will work on horizontal issues related to disinformation and foreign manipulative interference. The focus of his/her work will be on new and emerging threats and actors.
The Contract Agent will: (a) prepare regular analysis and situational reports on hostile disinformation campaigns based on media monitoring results and other sources, including insights from think-tanks, civil society organisations and independent fact-checkers, contributions from the EU institutions and EU Member States and relevant networks, (b) contribute to the design of awareness-raising materials and campaigns in order to address disinformation, (c) undertake outreach and advocacy activities to address negative impact of disinformation, (d) develop international partnerships with state and non-state partners, including online platforms, in order to address disinformation and build societal resilience, (e) plan and manage projects with external contractors or partners to achieve the objectives of Division.
The expert will be required to work closely with the relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, EU Delegations, relevant divisions of the other European institutions and services.
Functions and Duties:
The Contract Agent will assist/contribute to:
- Analysis of information environments and emerging threats, detection and exposure of hostile disinformation activities and campaigns;
- provide assistance to the EU Delegations and missions in the development of coherent and focused strategic communications action plans based on information environment assessment and priority audiences;
- coordinate with relevant EU Institutions and bodies activities on awareness raising and on tackling disinformation in whole-of-society approach;
- work with the network of contracted and external experts in analysing EU and its neighbourhood vulnerabilities to the information influence campaigns and work on resilience building activities against hybrid threats;
- manage projects with external contractors and/or partners to deliver an the annual objectives of Division’s business plan;
- support other tasks of the Strategic Communications Division, including on closer cooperation between the EEAS and the European Commission in their joint efforts towards an effective and coordinated response to disinformation campaigns; in building impactful EU strategic communications and in implementing European Democracy Action Plan.
Legal basis
The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). 1
The successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV); renewable contract for a maximum duration of 6 years (with a valid CAST exam).
Eligibility criteria:
Candidates for this contract agent IV post should:
- – (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV ;
or - – (ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in FG IV https://epso.europa.eu/apply/job-offers_en?keyword=&contract=37&grade=Al…
- have completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;
- have the capacity to work in languages of CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties. Knowledge of other EU languages would be an asset;
- be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Candidates should:
- be fluent in English (both orally and in writing);
- linguistic proficiency in Mandarin Chinese;
- have academic knowledge and/or experience related to East Asia;
- have a thorough understanding of information environments and their analysis;
- have hands-on knowledge of developing and implementing digital communication strategies;
- have ability to work and communicate in a complex, multicultural environment as an active team member;
- have an ability to manage projects dedicated to resilience building and awareness raising activities;
- have capacity to create constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States;
- have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
- have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;
- have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS;
- have the ability to communicate clearly on complex issues and the capacity to perform with accuracy and in a flexible manner a diversity of tasks in a complex institutional environment;
- have strong service attitude;
- be a flexible team player.
Furthermore:
- experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
- experience in working with or within other EU institutions
would be considered as strong assets.
Specific conditions of employment
The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service.
The successful candidate might be required to undergo security vetting if she or he does not hold already a Personal Security Clearance to an appropriate level, in accordance with relevant security provisions.
Equal Opportunities
The EEAS is committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its employees and applicants for employment. As an employer, the EEAS is committed to promoting gender equality and to preventing discrimination on any grounds. It actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States. We aim at a service which is truly representative of society, where each staff member feels respected, is able to give their best and can develop their full potential.
Candidates with disabilities are invited to contact CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@eeas.europa.eu in order to accommodate any special needs and provide assistance to ensure the possibility to pass the selection procedure in equality of opportunities with other candidates. If a candidate with a disability is selected for a vacant post, the EEAS is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Art 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.
Application and selection procedure2
Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number) to STRATEGIC-COMMUNICATIONS-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu
Deadline for sending application: 25/02/2021 at 18.00 (CET).
Candidates shall draft their CV following the European CV form which can be found at the following internet address:http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae.
Late applications will not be accepted.
The selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and professional experience described in the CV and motivational letter, and will produce a shortlist of eligible candidates who best meet the selection criteria for the post. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be informed about the outcome of the pre-selection phase.
The candidates who have been preselected will be invited for an interview by a selection panel. The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.
Interviews will be scheduled in March 2021.
Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available: 01/04/2021
1 Staff Regulations of Officials (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). For reference, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CE…
2 Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, as implemented by ADMIN(2019)8 Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The privacy statement is available on the Europa website: (http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm) and on the EEAS Intranet: (https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-s…).