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.
The Division is seeking to recruit an experienced and dynamic communications professional to join its Task Force South working on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The Task Force South works to enhance the EU’s outreach and communication with the MENA region, devising communications campaigns to improve the understanding of the EU in the MENA region, working towards healthier information environments and supporting media freedom and civil society. The team works closely with relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, in particular the divisions dealing with the MENA region, the European Commission (DG NEAR and other Commission DGs) and EU Delegations in the MENA region. It provides support to the EU Delegations, the EU’s political leadership, the EU’s Spokesperson’s Service and Member State communications experts, also in communicating to European citizens and wider audiences. The successful applicant will report to the Team Leader of the Task Force and the Head of Division.
We propose:
The position of the strategic communication officer (MENA region) – 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 (STRAT.2), Task Force South. This Contract Agent will reinforce the team and work to enhance overall EU communication efforts towards the MENA region. He/She will work in close coordination with the relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, the European Commission (DG NEAR), the EU Delegations, the Spokesperson’s Service and EU member state communications experts.
Functions and Duties:
We are seeking a highly motivated colleague to assist/contribute to:
- Develop communication strategies, campaigns and products tailored to the MENA region that engage the audiences both on social media and on the ground and promote the EU brand and positive narratives;
- Develop strategies that promote and support the EU policy actions in the MENA region using the whole strategic communications toolbox;
- Analyse the trends and developments in the information environment, provide recommendations and strategise responses;
- Work closely with policy divisions to shape messages, narratives and other communication content;
- Develop and implement strategies to improve the information environment, counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), promote independent media, freedom of expression and healthier public debates;
- Develop content, including in Arabic, to communicate the positive impact of EU policies and EU values and interests in the region;
- Work in coordination with the EEAS Stratcom Digital and Social Media Team to localise social media content for the MENA region;
- Support the Press and Information Officers, Communication Coordinators in EU Delegations in the region and the Regional Media Officer in the production of content (including in Arabic) and material for their target audiences;
- Manage budget and relationship with contractors for campaigns and events;
- Coordinate with relevant institutions and service working on the region; as well as with external stakeholders and partners;
- Support wider functions of the EEAS Strategic Communications Divisions.
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… 3
- 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:
Knowledge and Experience:
Candidates should be able to demonstrate good knowledge and experience in the following areas:
- Current political and cultural context in the MENA region and the EU’s policies and positions towards these countries.
- Communications and public diplomacy (for instance strategic communication, media relations, campaigning, content production, marketing, online marketing, social media management and audio-visual content development).
- Developing communications campaigns and communication strategies In-depth knowledge of the media and social media environment in the MENA region
Skills:
- Linguistic skills: English and/or French is required. Intercultural skills: Strong knowledge of the MENA region, ability to tailor messages to audiences in the region and understand cultural and political sensitivities
- Communications skills: Strong drafting skills; ability to write and produce communication products, news items, features and video scripts; creativity; capacity to work and communicate under time pressure in a multilingual international environment.
- Intellectual skills: Solid analytical capability; ability to grasp problems quickly and identify solutions.
- Interpersonal skills: Team player with the ability to coordinate with other teams and multiple stakeholders. Adaptable, with a ‘hands-on approach’ and willingness to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
- Computer skills: Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
- Social media skills: Strong knowledge of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram is important.
- Project management: Knowledge and experience of working with contractors/service-providers, developing terms of reference, managing a budget, following up on deliverables.
Furthermore:
- thorough knowledge and fluency in Arabic;
- experience with social media analytics;
- good knowledge and use of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator);
- experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
- knowledge of EU institutions, EU external action and EU development and neighbourhood policies and experience in working with or within other EU institutions;
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: 20/12/2021 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 end of February 2022.
Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available: 01/02/2022
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…).