EEAS Call for Expression of Interest for the recruitment of three Temporary Agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS)
WE ARE
The European External Action Service (EEAS), which supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent foreign policy of the European Union. 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 of Vice President of the Commission. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.
The Public Procurement, Contracts and Finance Division – BA.BS.2 is responsible for procurement procedures and contracts for Headquarters and Delegations, and for ex-ante financial verifications of transactions stemming from public contracts at Headquarters. It also supports and advises the authorising officers by sub-delegation in their management of public contracts including their risk management. Procedures and contracts covered by the Division are those subject to the Public Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU, i.e. services, supplies and works. In April 2020, the Division became the Central Procurement Service for supplies, services and works contracts, depending on their value, thus managing the procedures on behalf of the AOSDs.
WE PROPOSE
Three positions of “Finance and Contracts Assistant – Procurement” are open to reinforce the Public Procurement Sector of the Division. The new colleagues will be motivated, independent and enthusiastic, and will join a dynamic team of 11 procurement officers recognised as a centre of expertise. The working atmosphere is positive. We value respect, professionalism, autonomy, lifelong development and we care for the personal well-being. The tasks require a rich set of skills and responsibilities and is an excellent preparation to take on other challenges in the EEAS (both HQ and Delegations) later on.
WE LOOK FOR
The successful candidates will report directly to the Deputy Head of Division/Head of “Public Procurement” team and will mainly:
- Analyse the operational needs, translate them in the procurement documents and be in charge of the verification, preparation and running of procurement procedures stemming from Delegations and operational Divisions covering services, supplies and works above certain thresholds;
- Provide the necessary support to or advice in the area of public procurement to the different stakeholders within the EEAS;
- Train EEAS staff on public procurement;
- Be the focal point for a number of horizontal tasks such as the preparation/update of templates, standard documents and guides relating to procurement, including for (very)low and middle-value contracts;
- Be proactively involved in the activities of the Division.
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, in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents
The successful candidates will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) at the grade of AST4
ELEGIBILITY CRITERIA
Candidates must meet ALL of the following general and specific conditions on the closing date for online applications:
- Be a national of one of the EU Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
- Meet any obligations imposed on him or her by the laws concerning military service;
- Provide the appropriate character references as to his suitability for the performance of his duties;
- Have the capacity to work in languages of the CFSP (English and French, in writing and orally). Both languages are required in the performance of the duties. The command of one language must be at minimum C1 level (Language 1 — thorough knowledge) and the command of the other one must be at minimum B2 level (Language 2 — satisfactory knowledge).
- Secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties; OR Relevant professional training followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates should have:
- a strong proven experience in public procurement;
- experience in working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments and be a flexible team player;
- strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
- the capacity to perform with accuracy and in a flexible manner a diversity of tasks in a complex institutional environment;
- a “client-oriented approach”;
- strong organisational and prioritising skills.
Experience in works contracts, oral and written proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese, and an academic background in law will be considered as strong assets.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE2:
The selection procedure will take place in three different and successive steps:
1. Expression of Interest
Expressions of interest should be sent by e-mail to the following functional mailbox BA-BS-2@eeas.europa.eu
For the purposes of the e-mail application, this post will appear under the subject of the email:
“Application TA2b-AST4- Procurement Assistant”
Such an expression of interest must be accompanied by:
- an updated Curriculum vitae. Candidates are invited to use the “Europass” CV format (https://europa.eu/europass/en) for their applications.
- a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) in either English or in French;
Applications may be submitted during the period from 01/03/2021 to 22/03/2021 at 12:00 midday (Brussels time). Please note that the only way to submit an application is using the on-line system.
2. Pre-selection
The selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter.
3. Selection
The candidates who have passed the pre-selection step will be invited for an interview so that the selection panel can evaluate these candidates objectively and without prejudice on the basis of their qualifications, professional experience and linguistic skills. Additional specific written or oral tests might be organised by the panel.
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 (EEAS-HQ-APPLICATIONS-AST@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.
APPOINTMENT:
The selected candidates will be recruited as temporary agents under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS), in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents
The selected candidates will be required to undergo a medical fitness examination in accordance with Article 13 of the CEOS.
Candidates shall have a valid Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) allowing them to access information classified at the level “SECRET UE/EU SECRET” or will be required to undergo the corresponding security vetting in accordance with the EEAS security rules3. In case a successful candidate does not obtain his or her PSC, his or her engagement will be terminated.
In case of positive results on the medical fitness examination and after assessment of the PSC conditions, the candidates will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent, Grade AST-44 for a duration 4 years renewable only once for another 2 years.
All members of the temporary staff shall serve initially a nine-month probationary period in accordance with Article 14 CEOS.
PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Brussels, Belgium
POST AVAILABLE: immediately
CONTACT: BA-BS-2@eeas.europa.eu
The closing date for submissions is 22/03/2021 at 12:00 hours (Brussels time).
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 (EC) 2018/1725. The privacy statement is available on EEAS webpage: http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm
3 In accordance with the Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 19 September 2017 on the security rules for the European External Action Service, ADMIN(2017) 10, OJ C 126, 10.4.2018, p. 1, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2018.1…
4 The basic salaries offered by the EU institutions are set out in Article 66 of the Staff Regulations. The current level, can be accessed via the link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:2020:428:FU…