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/her tasks of conducting the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his/her capacity as Vice President of the Commission with regard to his/her responsibilities within the Commission in the external relations field including the coordination of other aspects of the Union’s external action. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.

The Green Transition Division, GLOBAL.GI.3, embedded in the Directorate for "Global Issues" is a new Division created on 1 September 2021 with a broad mandate focusing on the external dimension of the EU Green Deal, with global scope. It contributes to ensuring that the EU's foreign and security policy is equipped to tackle pressing global challenges related to green transition, including its geopolitical impact and relations with partners, in both bilateral and multilateral settings. The Division is the focal point within the EEAS for policymaking, guidance and information on the external dimension of the Green Deal notably on energy, climate and environment. Our overriding objective is to improve the integration of these aspects into the EU's relations with countries, regions and multilateral bodies worldwide.

Aiming to ensure maximum coherence between internal and external policies and serving as a point of interface between the EEAS, Commission services and Member States, the Green Transition Division is a highly motivated team. It works closely with all geographic and relevant thematic and horizontal Divisions of the EEAS, EU Delegations, Commission services and Member States to pursue goals which are politically visible and in direct support of the headline goals of our political leadership.

We propose

The position of Policy Officer for the external dimensions of the European Green Deal in the Green Transition Division - contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS)¹.

This is a challenging opportunity in a high profile and very dynamic team. This wide-ranging position offers the possibility to contribute to one of the top overarching EU priorities and to deal with a wide array of policy issues.

The overall purpose of the post is to contribute to the definition and implementation of EU policies at the foundation of the European Green Deal with specific focus on environment and oceans.

She/he will be part of a pro-active, hard-working and enthusiastic team in charge of the broader efforts to contribute to the development of a coherent EU strategy and approaches to promote Green transition in EU external policy. The colleague will cover the external dimensions of environment and ocean policies, in close cooperation with the other members of the team, the relevant EEAS and Commission services.

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: 01/09/2023 (tbc)

 

We look for

A colleague with working experience in international relations, EU environmental and ocean policies, as well as possibly on relevant multilateral agreements as an asset. A good understanding of policy priorities and measures is needed, as well of the challenges and opportunities related to the EU Green Deal, plus sound knowledge of the EU toolbox and instruments.

Legal basis

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof.

Subject to having passed the CAST exam, 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 for a maximum duration of 6 years.

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 Contract Agent Selection Tool (CAST) for FG IV (https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application). In that case, while the registration will render the candidate eligible for the selection procedure, the recruitment of a candidate on this vacant post will be subject to their successfully passing the CAST exam that this candidate will be called to attend.²
• 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:

• have a very good understanding and/or experience of EU Green Deal related policies notably in the environmental and ocean domains;
• have a good understanding of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;
• have ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and
• communication in a complex, multicultural environment;
• have capacity to create constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS;
• have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
• have a strong sense of initiative and have a good grasp of key EU priorities and policy issues
• have good negotiation, communication and organisational skills and the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and be ready to cope with significant workload
• have a strong sense of responsibility, be highly motivated and a team-player
• be familiar with major IT applications. A very good command of written and oral English is required and knowledge of French language would be an asset.

2 An invitation to sit the CAST exam does not commit the EEAS to invite the candidate to a selection panel nor to offer a Contract Agent position, should they succeed the CAST exam.

Furthermore:

• – experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• – 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.

This post is currently not identified as a post which requires Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) to access EU classified information (EUCI) in accordance with point 7 of Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2017) 10 on the security rules of the EEAS³ and as implemented by Decision ADMIN(2019) 7 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019 and its implementing decisions.

Nonetheless, candidates are informed that the list of posts requiring a PSC in the EEAS Headquarters is subject to regular review and that the current post might be identified in the future as a post which requires PSC.

If required after the taking of duty, the selected candidate will need to be in a position to obtain a valid PSC issued by the competent authority of their Member State in accordance with national laws and regulations.

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 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019.

Description of the EU classified information levels is available under Article 2 of the Decision ADMIN(2017) 10 on the security rules of the EEAS⁴.

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 procedure⁵

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number), in English or in French via email, with reference to the Vacancy number in the Subject field, to:

GLOBAL-GI-3@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 15/06/2023 at 12.00 (CET).

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.

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 selection panel may decide, in addition to the interview, to organise written tests, either for all pre-selected candidates or to the best ranked ones, after the interview. The content of such written tests will be defined by the selection panel and may include, but not be limited to, multiple choice questions, open questions and/or topics for a short essay.

Pre-selected candidates shall be invited to sit the CAST exam before or after the interview stage by the selection panel (in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out above).The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (AACC). The AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

If, exceptionally, on the date of recruitment, the successful candidate has not yet had the opportunity to pass the tests necessary to obtain the CAST, the latter will be engaged on condition that he obtains the CAST within six months of taking up his duties. Failure to obtain the required CAST will give the EEAS the right to terminate the employment contract.

It is recalled, that the selection procedure may be terminated at any stage in the interest of the service.

In the interest of the service, after identifying the candidate that best fulfils the requirement of the post as set out in the vacancy notice and that has successfully passed the CAST exam, the AACC may also establish a reserve list of candidates. These candidates shall be informed that the reserve list shall remain valid for a period of one year from when it is established and that it may be used to fill the same post or an equivalent post in the EEAS having the same job profile.

CONTACT :

Anna STRZASKA, Head of Division GLOBAL.GI.3 - Green Transition

Tel: +32 2584 6853

Email: anna.strzaska@eeas.europa.eu

========================================================

¹Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).

²An invitation to sit the CAST exam does not commit the EEAS to invite the candidate to a selection panel nor to offer a Contract Agent position, should they succeed the CAST exam.

³ OJ C 126, 10 April 2018, p.1.

⁴ OJ C 126, 10 April 2018, p.1.

⁵ 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: (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eeas-privacy-statement-data-protection-notice-purpose-processing-personal-data-related-public_en) and on the EEAS Intranet:(https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-statements-dp-notices)