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 Politico-Military Group (PMG) and Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CivCom) team coordinates the planning, preparation and follow-up of PMG and CivCom meetings and ensures smooth communication and coordination with Member States, all relevant EEAS services, the Commission and the Council secretariat on CSDP-related issues. The team is part of the office of the Directorate for CSDP and Crisis Response (MD CSDP-CR).
We propose
The position of Policy Officer/Alternate to the PMG and CivCom Chairs in MD CSDP-CR – contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).
Under the direct supervision of the PMG and CivCom Chairs, the Policy Officer/Alternate Chair will be responsible for assisting and, as necessary, replacing the Chairs in the planning, preparation, conduct and follow-up of PMG and CivCom meetings. He/she will also be responsible for liaising with other EEAS services, notably ISP, SecDefPol, CPCC and with the PSC team.
We look for
A highly motivated person to carry out the following tasks under the supervision of the PMG and CivCom Chairs:
His/her main functions and duties will include:
- Assisting the PMG and CivCom Chairs, as appropriate, in the planning, preparation, conduct and follow-up of PMG and CivCom meetings, as well as for other Council groups as appropriate and insofar as they relate to CSDP issues (ie. RELEX, PSC, COREPER, Council);
- Ensuring timely reporting from PMG, CivCom, PSC, COREPER and Council as appropriate and when necessary;
- Replacing the PMG and CivCom Chairs in PMG and CivCom working group meetings, as required and under the guidance of the PMG and CivCom Chairs;
- Deputising for the PMG and CivCom Chairs in internal and external meetings, as required and under the guidance of the PMG and CivCom Chairs;
- Liaising and maintaining good relations with PMG and CivCom delegations, including responding to queries relating to PMG and CivCom meetings and on-going discussions;
- Liaising with other colleagues in the PSC team and assisting, as required, the PSC Chair in the PSC meetings when CSDP issues are discussed;
- Liaising with EEAS Directorates and Divisions in the preparation of PMG and CivCom meetings and, if required, PSC meetings;
- Organising and maintaining relations, co-ordination and contacts with the other EU Institutions and Agencies, notably the General Secretariat of the Council, the European Commission and EDA.
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:
- have gained at least 6 years’ full time professional experience;
- have at least 2 years’ proven, pertinent experience in external relations,
- have proven experience and in-depth knowledge of CSDP and CFSP policies, and of the role of the PSC, PMG and CivCom in this respect; have an excellent ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation in a complex, multicultural environment;
- have an excellent capacity to create constructive working relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States;
- have strong drafting, communication and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
- 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 excellent knowledge of the functioning of the Union, its internal policies and its decision-making processes;
- have a very good understanding of the EEAS and of the internal and inter-institutional procedures;
- be fluent in English and in French (both orally and in writing).
Furthermore:
- experience in working with or within other EU institutions,
- experience of working in an Embassy or a Delegation (or equivalent in an international organisation),
- experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment,
- experience of negotiations,
- a strong sense of organisation and experience in policy coordination work,
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
The procedure will take place in three different and successive steps:
1. Application
Before submitting their application for the post Policy Officer/PMG and CivCom Alternate Chair, candidates should carefully check whether they meet the eligibility criteria and have the work experience required in order to avoid automatic exclusion from the selection procedure.
To apply, candidates should send their CV and motivational letter (in English or French) (with their EPSO CAST number) via email to
Deadline for sending application: 19/03/2021 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.
2. Pre-selection
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.
3. Selection
The candidates who have been pre-selected 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 Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.
Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available from: 01/06/2021
CONTACT: Ivana MICHELOT RADOVA
Tel: + 32 (0) 2 584 2013 Email: PMG-CHAIR@eeas.europa.eu
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…).