EEAS Headquarters - Financial Assistant HQ - Contract Agent FGIII - RM.BHR.1 - job No 508793

WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to conduct and implement an effective and coherent 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 Budget Division (RM.BHR.1) is responsible for the establishment and management of the overall budgetary resources of the EEAS (headquarters and delegations) and the management of posts and organisation charts both in HQ and delegations. It is also responsible for the supervision of accounting quality related to the annual accounts of the EEAS. Furthermore it manages the budget of the EEAS for missions, expert travel expenses and delegations representation expenditure.

WE PROPOSE

The position of financial assistant contract agent FGIII as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”)^[1].

PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT

‎EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available:  immediately

LEGAL BASIS 

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof. In case of recruitment, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function Group III), on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of one year that may be renewed up to a duration to be determined, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the CEOS and subject to budgetary availabilities, and in any case not exceeding six years in total[2]. The duration of the contract is also subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types[3]. 

WE LOOK FOR

Experienced SUMMA (SAP S/4HANA) First Line Support and Training Specialist with the following responsibilities:

• Provide first line support by managing and coordinating incoming user requests related to the SUMMA (SAP S/4HANA), ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Participate in training initiatives for users, improving proficiency and understanding of the SUMMA and the transition from ABAC to SUMMA.
• Develop, implement, and contribute to communication plans to ensure structured and consistent messaging across user communities.
• Facilitate real-time issue resolution and enhance collaboration through available platforms and communication channels, including creation of user step-by-steps.
• Provide where possible technical support, conducting root cause analysis and addressing complex user issues.
• Participate and contribute to cross-functional meetings to resolve ongoing issues and promote knowledge sharing.
• Generate bug reports, improvement suggestions, and maintain updated documentation for user communities.

Eligibility criteria[4]

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 in a valid function group for this post (https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application). 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 a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma or a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education and appropriate professional experience of three year;

• 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 the ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and communication in a complex, multicultural environment;

• have the capacity to create constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States;

• have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;

• have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;

• have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS;

• 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 service attitude;

• 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;

• Minimum 5 year experience in Technical User Support: demonstrated experience in providing first line and second-level technical support, 

• Testing and Issue Management Skills: Ability to participate in functional testing efforts, manage bug tracking, and contribute to the resolution of complex technical issues.

• Communication and Training Abilities: Strong skills in supporting communication plans and contributing to training initiatives for staff and users.

• Minimum 1 year Technical Expertise with SUMMA (SAP S/4HANA) being implemented in EU entities.

• Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills: Capable of conducting root cause analysis and generating improvement suggestions to enhance system functionality.

• Independent and Autonomous Work Style: Ability to work autonomously and independently while contributing effectively as a team member.

• Documentation Skills: Ability to generate detailed documentation, including bug reports and communication updates, to support user communities.

• Language Skills: Proficiency in English is mandatory, with French and Spanish considered an asset for supporting diverse linguistic groups.

will be considered as 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 

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

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

PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE (PSC)

This post is currently not identified as a post which requires Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”) to access EU classified information (EUCI) in accordance with point 7 of Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS[5] 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 Annex A of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The EEAS strives to be a dynamic, respectful and inclusive Service. We value the talent and professional excellence of our staff, and are committed to building an organisation where gender equality and the respect of diversity are core values, as set out in the EEAS Mission Statement and the EEAS Agenda for Diversity and Inclusion. The EEAS is committed to achieving gender balance within its workforce and strives to avoid any form of discrimination during this selection procedure, as per Article 1(d) of the SR. We actively welcome applications from all qualified candidates without any discrimination based on any ground. We commit to recruit candidates with the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, carrying out a selection based on merits required for the post and from the broadest possible geographical basis among the EU Member States.

The EEAS is committed to working with people with disabilities in the terms of the SR. If, by virtue of your medical condition or special needs, you require reasonable accommodation for a part or the entirety of this selection process, please send us an email to CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@eeas.europa.eu. Your request will be treated in strict confidence and no record will be kept. If a candidate with a disability is selected for a vacant post, the EEAS is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Article 1(d)(4) of the SR. 

All selected candidates are expected to adhere to the Principles of Professional Behaviour of the EEAS, which outline the need for integrity, transparency, respect, professionalism and accountability, and a zero tolerance approach to any form of harassment

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE[6]

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number), in English or French, and the attached declaration of potential conflict of interest via email, with reference to the Vacancy Number in the Subject field, to:

RM-BHR-1@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 03/03/2026at 12.00 noon (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, subsequent to the interview, to organise written tests, either for all pre-selected candidates or to the best ranked ones. 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 without a valid CAST shall be invited to sit the CAST exam before or after the interview stage (in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out above). 

The panel will then recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (hereafter, the “AACC”). The AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

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 fits the requirements of the post as set out in the vacancy notice, 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 with the same job profile.

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

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

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

[5]    OJ C 263, 26 July 2023, p.16. 

[6]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).