EEAS Vacancy: Call for Expression of interest in order to establish a reserve list for REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS POSTS (Contract Agent FGIII) IN EU DELEGATIONS

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, 6 000 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) 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 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 RSOs, Service Level Arrangements and the content of Hostile Environment Awareness Training courses.

WE PROPOSE

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

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

City, COUNTRY: EU Delegations worldwide

LCA: 0% to 40%

POST AVAILABLE: Reserve list - no specific position

Through this call for expression of interest, the EEAS will establish a reserve list for future possible recruitments of Regional Security Officers (Contract Agents function group III) as per article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS) within the European Union Delegations worldwide.

Subject to having passed the Contract Agent Selection Tool (CAST) 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^[1], in particular Article 82 thereof. 

Subject to having passed the CAST exam, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function Group III), as per Article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS), on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of 3 years. This contract may be renewed not more than once for a fixed period of not more than 5 years. Any further renewal shall be for an indefinite period.^[2]

WE LOOK FOR

The RSO, under the direct operational control of the EEAS Field Security Division (FSD) and shared administrative control between the Head of Delegation and 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'. 

• To oversee the execution of security measures and keep updated the Delegation Security Action Plan.

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 provide reports and advice to the SMT, supports and assists the HoA on the status / functioning of certain security installations and safety equipment provided by the EEAS HQ, e.g. scanners.

• To provide security advice to facilitate the Delegation's accreditation (including Secured Areas), and relay all relevant information from the Delegation to the EEAS HQ.

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

• In the case of necessity, to assist the SMT and the EEAS HQ in advising / coordinating on medical emergency incidents, including medical evacuations or repatriations. 

• To perform security briefings to mission performers before travelling to areas where a Travel Clearance Application is requested. 

• 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 - for the security of the Delegation's assets.

• To supervise operating procedures when armoured 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 and in coordination with the SMT. 

• 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 participate to the establishment of briefings and contribute to certain of the Delegation's other periodic and ad-hoc reports, for the security components. 

• To ensure the completeness and timeliness of the Delegation's contingency plans, uploads security data in IT systems and informs EEAS Field Security Division and the SMT accordingly. 

• To coordinate with EEAS Field Security Division and the SMT 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 is not resident or when absent. 

• To assist the SMT in following up all security incidents involving EU staff and assets; provide reports to the EEAS HQ as appropriate; assist in the execution of security contracts being in regular contact with the security contractor and assumes an important role in the monitoring and reporting of performance, inter alia using KPIs. 

• To report on non-compliance with security rules to the SMT and EEAS Field Security Division, as appropriate. 

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. 

Eligibility criteria^[3] 

According to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS and in Article 2 of the Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 final^[4], which is applicable to the EEAS by virtue of the Decision ADMIN(2018) 4 of the High Representative^[5], in order to be eligible for this post of contract agent FG III, candidates must:

• have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG III; or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST for FG III (https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application). In the latter 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 his/her successfully passing the CAST exam;

• meet the minimum qualifications for engagement as contract agent FG III:

(i) Have a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma; or 

(ii) a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, and appropriate professional experience of at least three years; or 

(iii) where justified in the interest of the service, professional training or professional experience of an equivalent level (related to the nature of the tasks and qualifications indicated in the job description).

• have the capacity to work in languages of 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 EU 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 commanding Officer or Non-Commissioned 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 the area of security management and operations, and/or relevant civilian security and risk management certifications. 

• Field experience in professional management 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 knowledge 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. 

• Ability to work under periods of stress. 

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

• Ability to communicate in French and English. 

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

Working languages

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

• Capacity to work in other languages, such as Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese and/or Russian will be considered strong assets. 

POSTING POLICY

EEAS career development policy places the need for staff to develop a mix of competences at its core, e.g. working in various fields of expertise and responsibilities in the course of a person's career, including postings at Delegations. 

RSOs in Delegations are usually posted for 4 years. Call for expressions of interest to apply for extension or early mobility will be launched annually prior to the publication of the mobility exercise. Staff are reminded that extension and early mobility are not a right.

RSOs assigned to a non-family post or a post under evacuation level three may participate in the mobility exercise after 2 years.

Within the mobility exercise, contract staff may be temporarily assigned to the EEAS Headquarters in Brussels; such assignment shall remain exceptional and depends on the availability of posts. The assignment shall be for no less than two years, unless a derogation is granted by the Head of the Division RM.BHR.3 ‘Selection and Recruitment’ in the interest of the service. The assignment shall be for no more than four years, in accordance with Article 118 of the CEOS and Article 3 of Annex X to the SR. The member of contract staff temporarily assigned to the EEAS Headquarters shall be included in the mobility exercise in time to be reassigned to a Union Delegation before he/she reaches the maximum period of 4 years.

It is in the interest of the service to ensure that staff members in Delegations are able to complete full postings before reaching the age of retirement. Before taking any final decisions on nominations, the appropriate Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (AACC) will ensure on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Staff Regulations (SR) and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants to the Union (CEOS), that the successful candidates will indeed be able to complete the relevant full posting for the post for which they were selected.

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND SECURITY RISKS

As a matter of policy, applications of individuals who have the dual nationality of the host country or whose family member has the nationality of the host country will be considered eligible for a posting in that host country only following the positive result of a case-by-case assessment. In that regard, the EEAS examines if there could be a conflict of interest and a risk of a possible refusal by the host country to grant diplomatic immunity to the staff member and or his/her partner and/or family, as well as possible security risks.

In this context, candidates shall fill in with their application a declaration of potential conflict of interest (see the annex, in the bottom of this vacancy notice).

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.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service. On that occasion, the candidate should indicate any serious health problems or requirements for specialised medical treatment for themselves and/or for the individuals who will accompany them. If staff members withhold such information they will not benefit from a reimbursement by the institution of certain costs, e.g. expenses relating to medical evacuation, or to a return to Headquarters in the case of early mobility.

Prior to recruitment, the successful candidate will be contacted by our services in order to fulfil the relevant medical requirements for the post as appropriate, including a psychological assessment, which the AACC reserves the right to request. 

OTHER

Candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the provisions of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, which applies to staff serving in Delegations located outside the EU, regarding their rights and obligations (i.e. leave entitlements, allowances, reimbursement of expenses, social security benefits).

If offered a position in a specific country, candidates will be deemed to be fully aware of the local living conditions, including inter alia information concerning security, health care, education, social acceptance of sexual orientation, employment opportunities for spouses and the accommodation provided (Annex X to the SR, Article 5 or 23). Candidates are strongly encouraged to consult the relevant Country Post reports, which are available from the Division RM.01 ‘Coordination’: RM-01-COORDINATION@eeas.europa.eu

All postings will in principle be aligned with the mobility cycle and have the 31 August of a given year as end date.

Successful candidates shall participate in all compulsory pre-posting training. All posts in an EU Delegation require the successful completion of BASE, a security e-learning. The ‘Hostile Environment Awareness Training’ (HEAT) is compulsory before taking up duty/going on mission in some countries. The EEAS will provide the selected candidate with that possibility in case she or he has not yet followed the training.

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-DELEGATIONS@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 in all EU Delegations. 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 (using the Europass CV format), in either English or French, indicating clearly your EPSO CAST number (or EPSO CAST application, in case the candidate still doesn’t have passed an EPSO CAST);

   1. the motivation letter, in either English or French ;

   2. a declaration of potential conflict of interest (attached)

Applications should be submitted to the following email address[10]: FIELD-SECURITY-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu

Applications should have the following subject: Call for Expression of Interest RSO EU Delegations – October 2025

Deadline for applications is 19/11/2025: at 12.00 hours (midday, Brussels time).

Candidates are strongly advised to submit their application as early as possible. Late applications will not be accepted.

For correspondence concerning the selection procedure, please use the following email address: CONTRACTAGENTS-DELEGATIONS@eeas.europa.eu

2. Pre-selection

The selection panel in HQ will make an initial pre-selection based on the motivation letter 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

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.

ADDRESS FOR INQUIRIES: CONTRACTAGENTS-DELEGATIONS@eeas.europa.eu

---------------------------------------------------------------

[1] 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

[2] In accordance with Article 85(1) of the CEOS.

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

[4] Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 final of 16 October 2017 on the general provisions for implementing Article 79(2) of the CEOS, governing the conditions of employment of contract staff employed by the Commission under the terms of Articles 3a and 3b.

[5] Decision ADMIN(2018) 4 of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 12 March 2018 amending Annex I of the Decision of the High Representative PROC HR(2011) 013 on General Implementing Provisions for giving effect to the Staff Regulations and to the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants.

[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).

[10] The application documents should be sent in PDF format and the title should respect the following format: “NAME_SURNAME/CalI_RSO2025”