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 communication 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), East Stratcom Task Force. This Contract Agent will reinforce the team and work to enhance overall EU communication efforts towards the Eastern Neighbourhood region. She/He will work in close coordination with the relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, the European Commission (DG NEAR), the EU Delegations, the Spokespersons Service and EU member state communications experts.
Functions and Duties:
The Contract Agent will assist/contribute to:
- planning and delivering strategic communication activities with the purpose of explaining the EU’s values, assistance and political and economic partnership to the citizens in selected Eastern Neighbourhood country(-ies);
- assisting EU Delegations in the development of coherent and focused strategic communications action plans targeting priority audiences;
- engaging with relevant stakeholders, EU delegations and with a network of Stratcom officers at EU Delegations, media and civil society partners;
- developing diverse communication products, communication campaigns and other relevant tools and products in order to raise awareness about EU policies in the Eastern Neighbourhood as well strengthening resilience against foreign disinformation and interference
- raising awareness about the EU policies in the Eastern Neighbourhood as well strengthening resilience against foreign disinformation and interference;
- contributing to the further development of the EUvsDisinfo online products with analysis of media narratives in relations to conflicts, political trends and the foreign policy agenda in Ukraine and other Eastern Neighbourhood countries.
- drafting of communication action plans and developing EU narrative to communicate the EU policies and interests in the Eastern Neighbourhood;
- developing wider support programmes for independent media in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood together with relevant EU institutions;
- ensuring that relevant pages on the EEAS website contain accurate and up to date information, including impact stories, and serve their purpose as a channel for strategic communication for EU audiences;
- supporting wider functions of the EEAS Strategic Communications and Information Analysis 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
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/joboffers_en?keyword=&contract=37&grade=All&institution=101&location=All
- 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;
- have at least three years of relevant professional experience in communications and Media/information analysis, preferably in the international context; 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 able to demonstrate solid experience in strategic communication;
- be able to show practical experience in communication, e.g. developing communications strategies, planning public diplomacy activities, and campaigns, building media relations, producing relevant content or managing social media accounts;
- have ability to work with external contractors and manage communication budgets;
- have knowledge of EU institutions, related decisional processes, EU’s external action and relevant policies in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood;
- have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS;
- have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
- have strong service attitude and be a flexible team player;
- have solid drafting and reporting skills, a rapid grasp of issues at stake and capacity to present the topic to a wide range of audiences as well as appearing in expert panels.
Furthermore:
- knowledge of Russian or one of the Eastern neighbours language;
- experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment; – experience in working with or within other EU institutions, government or corporate communications;
- creativity and flexibility would be valuable assets;
- experience in coalition or network building on fast-developing policy issues;
- experience of working with social media analytics,
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: 14/09/2021 at 17.00 (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 autumn 2021.
Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available: 01/10/2021
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…).
*The name of the Division and the post number might be subject to change, in the context of the ongoing review of the EEAS organisational chart.