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 project 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 project officer for strategic communications to be based within the EEAS Strategic Communications 2: Task Forces and Information Analysis Division (AFFGEN.7). This Contract Agent will reinforce the team and work to enhance overall EU communication efforts. She/He will work in close coordination with the relevant Divisions of the EEAS, the European Commission (DG NEAR, DG COMM, FPI, INTPA), the EU Delegations, European Parliament and the European Council.
Functions and Duties:
The Contract Agent will:
- Do programming and project management, with identification, formulation, negotiation and operational management of projects in the field of EU external action.
- Assist the Division in identifying potential projects and campaigns and in the development of coherent business plans.
- Consult with relevant services and stakeholders in identifying and shaping policy initiatives and cooperation with EU instruments, including the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
- Support the development and oversee the implementation of the Division’s communication projects and campaigns, analysis, research, studies and evaluations externalised to service providers.
- Do oversight of the planning, implementation and reporting of the Divisions’ budget and resources for raising awareness about EU policies in third countries and its work on strengthening resilience against foreign information manipulation and interference.
- Engage with the Division’s Task Forces and horizontal team, with a network of contracted experts and network of Stratcom officers at EU Delegations to ensure coordinated implementation of EEAS budget on tackling foreign information manipulation and interference.
- Identify, draft and launch procurement procedures, working with the finance team of both Stratcom divisions and the EEAS Public Procurement, Contracts and Finance Division.
- Work closely with the Team Leader of the finance team in the planning of both of the EEAS Communication Divisions’ budgets and resources, including with the EEAS Budget Division and the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
- Manage procurement procedures, including drafting of terms of reference, in conjunction with operational and finance units.
- Elaborate progress reports and proposing action when needed.
- Do operational and financial verification of contracts and project reports, respect of contractual obligations and validation of payments in the roles of operational Initiating Agent or Validating Agent.
- Support to overseeing allocation and management of the information and outreach budget for activities in Headquarters and the EU Delegations.
- Support other 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/job-offers_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;
- have the experience in working on the Western Balkans file;
- 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 experience of programming under the EU‘s external action instruments;
- have experience of project management, ideally in the context of EU institutions;
- have experience of working with civil society and NGOs;
- have knowledge of EU budgetary and financial management, including its rules and procedures;
- have knowledge of policy coordination in a related field and decision-making procedures in EU institutions;
- have knowledge of polices, legislation and procedures concerning calls for proposals, calls for tender, contracts etc.;
- have experience in delivering or assisting projects on communication campaigns, information analysis, media relations;
- have excellent planning and organisational skills;
- can work and coordinate across multiple teams;
- have capacity to work and communicate under time constraints in a multilingual international diplomatic environment;
- have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;
- have excellent communication skills;
- have strong service attitude and be a flexible team player;
- be fluent in English (both orally and in writing) and /or French.
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: 16/09/2021 at 12.00 (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.