Press & Information Assistant in the Press & Information (P&I) Section

We are

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organizations. Abroad, the EU is represented through more than 140 diplomatic representations, known also as EU Delegations, which have a similar function to those of an embassy.

The EU Delegation to India and Bhutan works in close coordination with the Embassies and Consulates of the 27 EU Member States. We are a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and represent the European Union in dealings with the governments of India and Bhutan in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

We offer

The post of Press & Information (P&I) Assistant (Local Agent Group II) in the Delegation’s P&I Section. The team consists of five people and there are occasional atypical working hours.
Under this post, the recruited person will be attributed functions depending on the needs of the Delegation, and on the changes of these needs. The successful candidate will serve under the supervision and responsibility of the Head of P&I Section, providing support, expertise and assistance in budgeting, procurement and other press and information activities.

Following main tasks and duties are currently required: 

For P&I budget procurement, the incumbent will be expected to:

• Be responsible for the preparation, recording and monitoring the annual budgets of the P&I section, including maintaining a record of all P&I financial commitments and their liquidation, and the processing of P&I individual and provisional commitments in the EU accounting system, independently;
• Be responsible for the organisation, implementation and management of public procurement procedures for P&I related contracts;
• Support the P&I Officers by implementing and managing events and campaigns for public outreach in partnership with well-regarded and well-connected organisations;
• Be responsible for liaising with the Administration section of the Delegation in all matters with regard to the budget and procurement for the P&I section; 
• Participate in, and assist with, evaluations of the work of the section and inspections of the Delegation.

For other P&I activities, the incumbent will be expected to:

• Assist with the conceptualisation of events and campaigns for public outreach;
• Liaise and co-ordinate with Information sections of other international organisations and Embassies of EU Member States on non-diplomatic matters;
• Support the P&I Officers in their conceptualisation and production of collaterals including the Daily Press Review, newsletters, leaflets, brochures, audio-visuals for the Delegation, and assist with the production and management of content for Social Media, including updating and managing website content;
• Support the P&I Officers in issuing specific background material related to subjects and events of importance for the European Union in India, such as environment, trade and summit meetings.

Other Duties:

• To contribute towards the drafting of speeches, forewords and reports, as required;
• To participate in missions related to visibility for the Delegation and its programmes;
• To carry out any other tasks under the authority of the Head of Delegation or Deputy Head of Delegation.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, on a pay scale starting from INR 111,085 per month. There is a competitive benefits package, subject to certain conditions, including personal leave days and public holidays, health insurances and a retirement savings plan.

The expected start date will be March/April 2023. 

Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)

• University degree (Master’s level) in Political or Social Science, Communications, Business Administration, Commerce or Humanities;
• Experience of working in relevant fields for at least 2 years;
• Exceptional fluency in English;
• Right to residence and work in India.

Assets / selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)

• Knowledge of the work of the EU in India;
• Work experience in India or Asia;
• Excellent drafting and analytical abilities;
• Project and budget management skills;
• Ability to manage web content;
• Fluency in Hindi is an asset;
• Capacity to communicate clearly, present complex matters in a simple way and draft precisely;
• Capable of working in a team to execute complex projects;
• Ability to listen, to consult and to share information and ideas;
• Knowledge of the EU, its institutions and policies, knowledge of European history, politics and culture;
• Ability to plan creatively and execute efficiently under constraints of budget and time;
• Ability to analyse and present numerical and technical information;
• Above average understanding of trade, investment, development and technical issues related to the EU;
• Ability to evaluate alternatives objectively and make sound, logical and well-argued judgements;
• Knowledge of graphics and video production is a plus;
• Capacity to focus on priorities and organise work to deliver on time;
• Ability to negotiate in a multicultural and multilingual environment;
• Capacity to monitor progress of work, organise reviews and supervise project teams;
• Analytical ability should be matched by managerial skill and experience;
• Personal integrity and honesty;
• Flexibility in accepting ideas;
• Ability to work under pressure and to respond quickly to new demands;
• High commitment to quality, speed and accuracy in performing tasks;
• High degree of responsibility in handling projects.

How to apply

Please submit your application, consisting of a cover letter and Europass format CV (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae) via email to delegation-india-jobbox@eeas.europa.eu (Reference: VAC/IN/AL/01/2023) no later than 17:30 hrs on 30/01/2023. Only complete applications received on time via email to delegation-india-jobbox@eeas.europa.eu will be considered.

The successful candidate will be subject to a medical check.

The process

After the deadline for applications, the eligible applications will be admitted to the Selection by the Committee set up for this purpose.

Depending on the number of applications received, successive phases of selection may include shortlisting of candidates based on assessment of the information provided in the cover letter, CV, practical testing. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the final interview.

Only candidates admitted to each successive selection phase will be contacted individually. The Delegation will use the same means of publication as for this job advertisement to inform the remaining candidates once the recruitment procedure has been completed and that a candidate has (or has not) been recruited.

The Delegation will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure. During the selection process, please do not contact the members of the Selection Committee, but address your questions and comments to the Delegation’s Administration.