Call for Expression of interest in order to establish a reserve list for SECURITY OFFICER - HQ Contract Agent FGIV - EEAS HEADQUARTERS (Brussels)

WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the EU's diplomatic service. The EEAS supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to conduct and implement an effective and coherent Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), to represent the EU and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to her 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 the EU Member States, the General Secretariat of the Council, the services of the Commission and the Secretariat General of the European Parliament.

The EU currently has 145 Delegations, 9 of which are to international organisations. In all, 6000 staff are currently serving in these Delegations. The Delegations are placed under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also Vice President of the European Commission. The work of a Delegation varies from country to country but, in general, covers political matters, press and information, trade, aid management and the external aspects of internal EU policies.

The EEAS Field Security Division (EEAS ECO.CRC.3) is part of the EEAS Crisis Response Centre (CRC). The CRC has a permanent crisis response capability and is the single entry point on all crisis related issues in the EEAS, bringing together diplomatic, security and intelligence capabilities, and ensuring a close interaction between Delegations, Missions and Operations on the ground when facing a consular or security crisis.

The EEAS ECO.CRC.3 Division is a dynamic team, responsible for providing security advice and support to EU Delegations worldwide, enabling their work and assisting with the fulfilment of the legal duty of care obligation towards the EEAS staff and eligible dependents, assets and information.

The Division has three sectors: Operations, Resources & Logistics and Strategy. The Operations sector provides the link between HQ and field operations including the Regional Security Officer/Adviser (RSO/A) network. The Resources and Logistics Sector carries out oversight of the budget lines for Security services contracts worldwide (security static guarding and close protection), coordinates on all security contract tenders, manages the procurement and maintenance of armoured vehicles, personal protective equipment, radio-communications networks, the Division's human resources (including RSO/A network recruitment and rotation), and is involved in all security related financial, budgetary, legal and audit matters. The Strategy Sector is responsible for the drafting of policies, training of Security Management Teams, security e-learning tools, training of Regional Security Officers and Regional Security Advisors, Service Level Arrangements and the content of Hostile Environment Awareness Training courses.

WE PROPOSE

The position of Security Officer, contract agent FG IV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”).

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

City, COUNTRY: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: reserve list (currently no post available) 

Through this call for expression of interest, the EEAS will establish a reserve list for future possible recruitments of Security Officer, contract agent FG IV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS) at Headquarters.

Subject to having passed the CAST[1] exam, the successful candidates will be registered in a reserve list. When a position becomes available, one of the candidates in the reserve list may be offered a contract agent position.

Inclusion on this list does not confer any right to or guarantee of recruitment.

Validity of the list: 2 years 

LEGAL BASIS

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions foreseen in the relevant provisions of the CEOS^[2], in particular Article 82 thereof. 

In case of recruitment, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV), on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of one year that may be successively renewed up to a maximum duration of six years[3], subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types[4]. 

WE LOOK FOR

The Security Desk Officer, under the direct operational control of the EEAS Field Security Division (FSD) will undertake the following activities:

Risk Analysis

• To advise the EEAS Field Security Division and other divisions concerned in HQ, on the threat situation in the countries concerned as well as on appropriate security measures, after having duly collected information and assessed the threats and analysed the risks affecting Delegation’s security assets.

• To prepare and regularly update local threat assessments and security risk assessments, as well as processes risk assessments of the Travel Clearance Applications for the Delegations / Countries designated under the hub. 

• To carry out surveys and assessments to produce regular risk and vulnerability assessments of the Delegation's existing, and where relevant future, premises and accommodations. 

• To recommend the necessary mitigating measures for compliance with the EEAS Delegations' Security Guidelines, including 'Protection Principles, Guidelines and Standards'. 

Analysis and Advice

• To provide support to the EEAS HQ in the area of buildings security management and works (development, implementation and reception), for those matters not requiring specialist training or knowledge. Promoting compliance with the standards and criteria, supervising certain works, testing the functioning of completed works against methodologies and checklists established by the EEAS HQ.

• To provide support to the EEAS HQ in the area of safety activities not requiring specialist training or knowledge, e.g. checks on the availability and functioning of fire equipment, smoke detectors, medical kits, etc. 

• To support the EEAS HQ in EU Classified Information (EUCI) protection. 

• To provide advice and support to the staff of EU Institutions and Agencies and other bodies covered by Service Level Arrangements on missions to the Delegations / Countries designated under the hub. 

Safety, Security and Crisis Management

• To contribute to security designs; supervise the implementation of procedures and / or security works; and the functioning of equipment. 

• To supervise operating procedures when armored vehicles, close protection teams or/and armed static guards are deployed. 

• To assist with the installation, maintenance and utilisation of radio-communication systems, as appropriate ensuring radio-communication training, and other security equipment, e.g. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Sat phones, etc. assists in developing, implementing, maintaining and supervising radio-communication monitoring systems and ensures that radio checks are routinely conducted and also regarding the correct use of PPE, etc. 

• To prepare and monitor the implementation of security procedures and contingency planning ensuring that all plans are workable, updated, known by staff and exercised. To assists and facilitate the implementation of all necessary security measures following instructions. 

• To assist to security related tendering procedures, this role can include benchmarking, preliminary market analysis, (exceptionally contacts with security providers), development of technical specifications, be a member of the evaluation committees in the assessment of the technical offers, and carry out controls of reasonability upon services rendered, e.g. controls over timesheets and 'Key Performance Indicators' (KPI). 

Communication and Reporting

• To report periodically and upon request to EEAS Field Security Division and the Delegation's SMT on matters relating to security using standard and ad-hoc reports. 

• To coordinate with EEAS Field Security Division on the follow-up to inspections, audits, controls and other reports where there is a security component. 

• Report to EEAS Field Security Division of all incidents involving Delegation staff or assets, assisted by the SMT members for those countries where RSO/A is not resident or when absent. 

Training

• To actively promote security awareness through updates, alerts, warnings, briefings, awareness campaigns, trainings and exercises depending on the security situation on the ground, local threat assessment and instructions given by the EEAS Field Security Division. 

• To promote and check compliance with established security rules and specific instructions and recommendations. 

• To recommend and support the organisation of local security trainings including where necessary local HEAT courses. 

• To collaborate with the EEAS Consular Affairs Division for its training exercises and the provision of security advice. 

• When requested, mentoring and or support other RSO/A colleagues.

Eligibility criteria[5]

Further to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS, candidates must:

• have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid function group for this post, or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST for FG IV (https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/contract-staff-selection-procedures-always-open-registration). In the latter case, while the registration will make the candidate eligible for the selection procedure, the recruitment of a candidate on this vacant post will be subject to his/her successfully passing the CAST exam;

• have completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;

• have the capacity to work in the languages of the CFSP and external relations (English and French) necessary for the performance of their duties; 

• 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 gained at least 5 years' full time relevant professional management/coordination experience in Law Enforcement, Military, or Intelligence Services of EU Member States, as Officer.

• Relevant certifications, trainings and/or formal university education related to the management of Security and/or Defense activities will be considered strong assets. 

• Relevant Law Enforcement or Military courses in management of security and operations, and/or relevant civilian security and risk management certifications. 

• Field professional management experience in Private Security Companies, will be considered an asset.

• Field experience in security coordinating roles within Embassies of EU Member States, EU Delegations, EU Institutions or Agencies, EU Civilian or Military Missions or Operations, and/or  international or intergovernmental organizations. 

• Strong theoretical knowledge of Security Operations Management, Risk Management, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity Management;

• Strong practical knoweledge about field related Security Operations Management, Risk Management, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity Management. 

• Awareness of the security threats present in the country for which the candidate might be selected (such as armed conflicts, terrorism, organised crime, civil unrest, political violence, hazards, travel safety, and espionage), as well as familiarity with the main actors involved.

• Problem solving and organisational skills;

• Verbal communication skills.

• Drafting and analytical skills.Practical knowledge about field related Security Operations Management, Risk Management, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity Management. 

• Ability to work under periods of stress. 

• Ability to work in multi-cultural environments and multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to comunicate in the languages stated in the application form. 

• Be physically and psychologically fit for purpose and able to perform long-term missions to countries under critical threat levels.

• Mentoring other RSAs or RSOs.

Working languages

• Capacity to work in languages of the CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties (EN and FR);

• the capacity to work in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and/or Russian will be considered strong assets.

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND SECURITY RISKS

As a matter of policy, applications by individuals who have dual nationality of which one of a non-EU country, will be considered on a case-by-case basis taking account in particular of the functions attributed to the vacant post. The EEAS also examines if there could be a conflict of interest or security risks.

In this context, candidates shall fill in with their application a declaration of potential conflict of interest (see attached).

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service.

PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE

The requested level of security clearance for this post is: SECRET UE/EU SECRET. A description of the EU classified information levels is available under Article 2 of Annex A of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS^[6].

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (PSC)^[7] issued by the competent authority of the Member State concerned. 

Candidates who do not already have a valid PSC will be required to go through the security clearance vetting procedure of their Member State to obtain this clearance in accordance with national laws and regulations and with the procedure laid down in the Decision ADMIN(2019) 7 of the Director General for Budget and Administration of the EEAS on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS^[8] and in Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS. Until the PSC is issued by the competent authority of the Member State concerned, the selected candidate will not be authorised to access EUCI at the level of CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or above, or to participate in any meetings or workflow where EUCI is processed.

Please note that the necessary procedure for obtaining a PSC can be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate.

In case of failure to obtain or renew the required PSC, the AACC may take the appropriate measures in accordance with Article 3(3) of the Decision ADMIN(2019) 7.

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 the Functional mailbox 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 SR.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE[9]

The procedure will take place in three steps: 

1. Application

Before submitting their application, candidates should carefully check whether they meet all the eligibility criteria in order to avoid automatic exclusion from the selection procedure. 

Candidates should also ensure that they are fully aware of the relevant security provisions; Personal Security Clearance at the level SECRET UE/EU SECRET is requested for this position. Successful candidates will be required to undergo security vetting if they do not already hold security clearance to the appropriate level in accordance with the EEAS relevant security provisions (for more information, see Section “Personal Security Clearance” below).

During the application procedure, candidates are required to send the following documents:

1. an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (preferably using the Europass CV format), in either English or French, indicating clearly your EPSO CAST number;

2. a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages), in either English or French;

3. a declaration of potential conflict of interest (annexed to this vacancy note).

Applications should be submitted to the following email address: FIELD-SECURITY-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu

Applications should be submitted by email with the following communication in the subject:

Call for Expression of Interest SECURITY OFFICER EEAS HEAQUARTERS– November 2025.

Deadline for applications is 12/12/2025: at 12.00 hours (midday, Brussels time).

Candidates shall draft their CV using the Europass CV, which can be found at the following internet address:

http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae.

Late applications will not be accepted.

2. Pre-selection

The selection panel will make an initial pre-selection based on the attached application form and in the CV. The candidates who are compliant with the profile that is requested for the post will be invited for a security related theoretical MCQ test and a security related practical written test in order to assess their job related knowledge and work capacity. A minimum score will be then established by the selection panel and those who have passed the cut will be invited to a competency based interview  to evaluate objectively and impartially the suitability of their interpersonal competences, communication skills and linguistic skills, as listed in the present document. The selection panel will submit a shortlist of candidates who best meet the selection criteria for the post to HR Selection and Recruitment Division, who will then check the eligibility of the candidates. Those candidates who do not have a valid CAST will be invited to take the reasoning skills tests (EPSO).

3. Selection

Field Security Division will invite the eligible candidates who have been pre-selected for an interview and a written test to evaluate them objectively and impartially on the basis of their qualifications, professional experience and linguistic skills, as listed in the present document. The selection panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the relevant Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (AACC). The AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

It is recalled, that if the interest of the service so requires, the selection procedures can be terminated at any stage.

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[1]    Contract Agent Selection Tool.

[2]    The text of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the EU and the CEOS is accessible at the following link: 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20190101

[3] Article 8 of the Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 of 16.10.2017 on the general provisions for implementing Article 79(2) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, governing the conditions of employment of contract staff employed by the Commission under the terms of Articles 3a and 3b thereof.

[4] Decision ADMIN(2023) 24 on the maximum duration of engagement by the European External Action Service of non-permanent staff under successive limited duration contracts of different types, and on the minimum lapse of time between successive contracts under Article 2(e) of the CEOS.

[5]     All the eligibility criteria must be met on the closing date for applications to this post.

[6]    OJ C 263, 26 July 2023, p.16. 

[7]    The ‘Personnel Security Clearance’ is defined under point 2 of Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS as “a statement by a competent authority of a Member State which is made following completion of a security investigation conducted by the competent authorities of a Member State and which certifies that an individual may, provided his ‘need-to-know’ has been determined, be granted access to EUCI up to a specified level (CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or above) until a specified date; the individual thus described is said to be ‘security cleared’.”

[8]    Decision ADMIN(2019) 7 of the Director General for Budget and Administration of the EEAS of 8 March 2019 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS.

[9] 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-statements).