WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in the exercise of his 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 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 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 Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (MD.CPCC) is the permanent structure supporting the Civilian Operations Commander. The Civilian Operations Commander is the overall commander at the strategic level of currently 14 civilian CSDP crisis management missions and provides strategic guidance and direction to the Heads of Mission. The Civilian Operations Commander reports directly to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and through him to the Council of the EU. Under the political control and strategic direction of the Political and Security Committee and the overall authority of the High Representative, the Civilian Operations Commander ensures the effective planning and conduct of civilian CSDP crisis management operations, as well as the proper implementation of all mission-related tasks.

The Missions Operational Support Division (DMD.CPCC.4) is a dynamic Division composed of 31 experts in the field of Missions Support: Logistics, Digitalisation, CIS, IT, Cybersecurity, Secure Communications Budget, Procurement and Financial aspects of the civilian CSDP Missions. Our job is to provide operational support for about 2.500 staff working on the 14 CSDP Missions operating on the ground in crisis countries.

WE PROPOSE

The position of the Infrastructure Officer within the Mission Support Platform -contract agent FGIV 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:  16 December 2024

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 IV), on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of one year that may be successively renewed for a maximum duration of six years[2], subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types[3].

WE LOOK FOR

The person to be recruited will work under the supervision of the Head of the Missions Operational Support Division and the Head of Logistic Sector within DMD.CPCC.4.

S/he is expected to perform the following tasks:

• Cooperate and coordinate with other members of the Mission Support Platform, the Mission Support Division as well as with other Divisions in CPCC;
• Assist in the development of guidelines, policies and procedures for Mission Support in the field;
• Assist in the planning, analysis, design, program and implementation of all aspects of Engineering related projects of Civilian CSDP Missions (Missions);
• Develop, prepare, coordinate and monitor overall infrastructure plans including forecasting, supply & service schedules, priorities or requirements, and resolution of urgent operational needs;
• Contribute to Engineering functions;
• Contribute to the relevant work aimed at the definition of standard equipment for the Missions for any building and infrastructure related project and tasking;
• Contribute to the relevant work aimed at the definition of technical specifications and Terms of References for the launching of Framework Contracts and other means of acquisition;
• Monitor and co-ordinate regional building and infrastructure requirements of the Missions;
• Provide technical advice on maintenance contracts and building and infrastructure improvement plans;
• Keep abreast of changes in standards and regulations, including fire, safety and environmental aspects;
• Advise the management and Mission personnel on engineering issues, structures and staffing levels to ensure that they are adequate to meet the requirements of the overall mission support concept at all times;
• Participate in Technical Assessment Missions, Technical Survey Missions and conduct, or support conduct of, technical building and infrastructure assessments;
• Develop monitoring tools for external building contractors including, but not limited to, performance indicators for outsourced works and services;
• Provide standardised building and infrastructure maintenance plans;
• Assist in preparing inventory reports, as appropriate, and be responsible for the production of reports concerning CSDP equipment and supply chain issues, and propose/recommend changes and improvements to ensure accuracy and comprehensive policies and guidelines to the logistics civil engineering aspects;
• Support planning of new compound layouts and refurbishment of existing compounds.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

• Experience with CSDP, OSCE or UN Missions in the field of Engineering and Logistics would be an asset;
• Knowledge of the EU, particularly related to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) would be an asset.

Eligibility criteria[4]:

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

• (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV; OR

(ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent 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;

• 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. 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 bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline ;
• have at least 5 years of proven professional experience in the area of Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline;
• have knowledge of Logistics, Engineering and Supply Chain Management and awareness of products, services, markets and industrial business networks
• have project management and implementation skills;
• have good operating knowledge of related software like MS Project, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Structural Analysis Software or any drafting and design software;
• have a very good level of written and spoken English. Knowledge of other EU languages would be an asset.
•  to have a knowledge of environmental policies and management systems (EMS) would be an asset;

Furthermore:

• have good Project Management and implementation skills, knowledge of project cycle management;
• have good knowledge of EU bodies, policies and challenges, particularly related to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and Civilian Missions;
• be able to work professionally as a member of the Division, in task forces and working groups with mixed composition (with colleagues with different background and as well with police, judicial, civilian and military staff), in an interesting but challenging environment with sometime unconventional working hours;
• have willingness to travel on short notice into difficult countries where CSDP Missions operates;
• have capacity to work in a multicultural environment would be considered as strong assets.

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

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

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^[5].

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”)[6] 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 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019 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 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019.

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 1(d)(4) of the Staff Regulations.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE[7]

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

cpcc.administration@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 14/10/2024 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, 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]    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’.”

[7] 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).