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 policy 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 policy officer to be based within the EEAS Strategic Communications and Information Analysis Division (AFFGEN.7). This Contract Agent will work on horizontal issues related to disinformation and foreign manipulative interference. The focus of his/her work will be on new and emerging threats, actors and regions. She/He will contribute to the development of the Division’s information analysis process and CSDP Missions support activity.
The Contract Agent will: (a) assist the Division and its Task Forces in coordinating, streamlining and guiding knowledge production on disinformation and foreign manipulative interference, and information environment analysis; (b) assist the Division and its Task Forces in increasing the analytical capacity on emerging threats, actors and regions; (c) undertake support activity assisting CSDP Missions and EU Delegations in conflict regions in increasing their understanding of (online) communication threats, disinformation and foreign manipulative interference; and (d) develop and manage dedicated knowledge driven projects aiming at increasing operational resilience of EU missions and operations against disinformation and foreign manipulative interference.
The expert will be required to work closely with the relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, EU Delegations, relevant divisions of the other European institutions and services, and EU CSDP Missions.
Functions and Duties:
The Contract Agent will assist/contribute to:
- analysis of information environments and emerging threats/actors, and detection of disinformation and foreign manipulative interference;
- increase awareness and understanding on operational elements of disinformation and foreign manipulative interference via providing assistance to, and act as reachback for EEAS HQ CSDP structures, CSDP Missions and EU Delegations in conflict prone regions (for example Sub-Saharan Africa);
- design and develop support activities, including training and coaching, for CSDP Missions and EU Delegations in conflict prone regions, in order to increase their in-theatre capacity to detect and analysis potential threats coming from disinformation and foreign manipulative interference;
- manage a network of contracted and external experts in analysing emerging threats and actors in the context of disinformation and foreign manipulative interference;
- manage projects with external contractors and/or partners to deliver an the annual objectives of Division’s business plan;
- support other tasks of the Strategic Communications 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=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:
- be fluent in English (both orally and in writing);
- have at least 3 years of experience in assessing information environments and/or communication driven threats, disinformation and foreign manipulative interference, including relevant analysis/monitoring methods and techniques;
- have at least 2 years of experience in the field of publicly available information analysis, including a specific focus on social media;
- have hands-on knowledge in developing and/or training expeditionary capacities monitoring and analysing the threats of disinformation and foreign manipulative interference in an operational context;
- have prior experience in handling projects including external partners and contractors;
- have capacity to create constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States;
- have the ability to communicate clearly on complex issues and the capacity to perform with accuracy and in a flexible manner a diversity of tasks in a complex institutional environment;
- have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
- be willing to travel, including to difficult environments;
- be able to coordinate (ad hoc) teams (also for projects and missions);
- be a flexible team player.
Furthermore:
- experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
- experience in working with or within other EU institutions;
- a working level notion of French (both orally and in writing);
- having prior experience working in a security oriented environment and/or conflict region context;
- having prior experience working in (civ/mil) missions and/or in a supporting reachback role;
- have prior experience in managing small to medium sized teams in an analytical role;
- have prior experience in managing projects implemented by external contractors;
- holding a valid security clearance level EU SECRET.
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 must 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: 21/05/2021 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.
Interviews will be scheduled in June 2021.
Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available: 01/06/2021
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…).