The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the work of the High Representative in 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.
Within the Directorate for Human Resources, which belongs to the Directorate General for Budget and Administration (DG BA), the Division “Selection and recruitment” (BA.HR.2) manages, among others, the selection, recruitment and mobility of all categories of staff in Headquarters and Delegations with the exception of Local Agents. We are in charge of officials (AD, AST and AST/SC); Temporary Agents, Seconded National Experts, Contract Agents, Junior Experts in Delegations (JED), trainees, etc. We are a busy division with a consistently heavy workload. In our human resources support function, our mission is to help other EEAS departments to do their respective job effectively and to contribute to the further development of a modern and professional foreign policy organisation.
We propose:
One position of Policy /Desk Officer – contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). The selected candidate will work as a “floater” in the European External Action Service.
The selected candidate for this position as a “floater” will be assigned for short periods to different services of the EEAS in order to provide support as policy/desk officers. The different assignments provide unique opportunities to get an insight into the work of the EEAS services and to broaden professional experience and skills. The duration of each assignment varies and is, usually, of 2-3 months.
This position requires the candidate to acquire competencies in a wide range of areas in order to provide the required support. It takes time and considerable resources to acquire this specialisation and therefore it is necessary, in the interest of the service, for the selected candidate to remain on the post of floater for a minimum of 2 years. Therefore, without prejudice to exceptional situations or for duly justified reasons, the selected candidate will be considered as eligible for other posts as a member of staff under contract in the EEAS only after having served at least 2 years as a floater.
We look for:
A dynamic, flexible and proactive colleague with good communication, diplomatic and analytical skills and with a developed sense of service. The floater should be able to quickly adapt to a new working environment and be a good team-player. The successful candidate should have a general knowledge of the EEAS’ role and its policy agenda as well as good computer skills. He/she will be entrusted inter alia with the following main tasks:
- To contribute to the definition and implementation of EU policies in CFSP and CSDP, in different EEAS services;
- To ensure effective liaison with other EEAS departments, and relevant Commission Directorates-General, including for the preparation of missions, meetings, projects and related activities;
- To develop and maintain contacts at working level with all relevant stakeholders (EU institutions, diplomatic missions, Member States, civil society, international organizations);
- To prepare accurate briefings, speeches, statements, lines to take and strategy papers as well as relevant events as required.
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 proven professional experience in external relations (minimum 3 years);
- have experience in working in EU institutions (minimum 5 months);
- have experience and/or sound knowledge of CFSP, CSDP and other external relations policies;
- a good understanding of the EEAS and of the internal and inter-institutional procedures and knowledge of EU decision-making processes;
- have strong drafting, communication and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
- have a good ability to maintain diplomatic relations, and to ensure communication in a complex, multicultural environment;
- have a capacity to create constructive working relations with different stakeholders (national authorities, international organisations, EU Member States, civil society representatives);
- have the ability to perform multiple tasks and adjust to changing priorities and respect deadlines;
- excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken) and good knowledge of French are required.
Furthermore:
- experience of working in an Embassy, a Delegation or in an international organisation);
- experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
- knowledge of other languages relevant for external relations
would considered as 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 (EU SECRET), 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) via email to
CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@eeas.europa.eu
Deadline for sending application: 27/04/2021 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.
Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available: June 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…).