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 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.

Part of the Directorate for Policy Planning and Strategic Communication (ECO.GLOBAL.STRAT), the main task of the Information Integrity & Countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference Division (ECO.GLOBAL.STRAT.4) is to defend the EU’s values and interests by understanding and effectively addressing Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), including by building resilience against it.

The division develops strategies and policy approaches to counter FIMI and advance information integrity, leading the implementation of related policy instruments such as the FIMI toolbox and manages dedicated cooperation structures, including the Rapid Alert System. It contributes to the detection and analysis of FIMI, informing evidence-based countermeasures to FIMI, with a specific focus on FIMI threat actors most relevant to the security of the EU and our partners. It undertakes a number of activities to bolster information integrity and resilience inside and outside the EU, including awareness raising, training, and other forms of public engagement offline and online such as the EUvsDisinfo project. Furthermore, it works closely with the global network of EU Delegations and the EU’s CSDP missions and operations, while building partnerships with key international partners, such as NATO or the G7, and civil society organisations.

WE PROPOSE

The position of a 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:  16/08/2025

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 up to 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

A dynamic, proactive and highly motivated colleague with strong analytical, project management, communication and networking skills to occupy the post of Policy officer in the Threat Actors and Responses Team in the ECO.GLOBAL.STRAT.4 Division, with a particular focus on Russia.

The contract agent will support overall EU efforts to counter foreign information manipulation and interference, in particular by:

• contributing to the EUvsDisinfo project and its continued development with content creation and editing of text and audio-visual material.
• strengthening international cooperation and engagement with EU Member States as well as partners,
• contributing to strategy development and initiatives, with a particular focus on Russia as well as selected Eastern Neighbourhood countries.
• working closely with relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, EU Delegations in the priority regions, European Commission services and Representations in the member states, EC Spokespersons Service, EP press team, EU Member States representatives, external contractors as well international partners and organisations (NATO, G7, UN), the expert community, civil society and other relevant networks.

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 for FG IV (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 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:

 A.      Professional knowledge

• Professional experience of at least 5 years, preferably in foreign or internal affairs, security policy, intelligence analysis, journalism, communication or capacity building and international partnerships.
• Thorough knowledge of Russia foreign and security policy, especially pertaining to foreign information manipulation and interference.
• Knowledge of the broader Eastern neighbourhood, including political dynamics, foreign and security policy of these countries would be a strong asset, as would the experience of working in these countries or in Russia.
• Professional experience in project management, including working with external contractors and managing the contract life-cycle from inception to completion.
• Experience in internal and external government communications, crisis management and strategic communication would be a strong asset.
• Good working knowledge of the EU (institutional) environment and decision-making processes and understanding of the EU’s policies regarding foreign information manipulation and interference, especially in the context of Russia as well as the broader Eastern neighbourhood will be considered an asset. 

• Proven experience in creating constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations and partners (especially NATO, G7, UN) as well as the EU Member States. Experience from working in multilateral settings will be an asset. 

B.       Skills

• Capacity to work and communicate under time constraints in an international diplomatic and multilingual environment. Intercultural sensitivity skills are required;
• Solid political analytical and drafting skills. Rapid grasp of problems and capacity to identify issues and solutions. Creativity and flexibility would be valuable assets;
• Experience of independently leading and managing projects, including in the field of communications;
• Experience in digital communication campaigns would be an asset. 

C.       Languages

• Thorough knowledge (excellent capacity to write and speak) of English is required. Knowledge of Russian or another language of the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood will be considered a strong asset. Knowledge of another EU language would be an asset.

D.       Personal Qualities

• Be dynamic. Motivated, creative and flexible personality. Able to adapt quickly to new situations and deal with new challenges, including missions in conflict areas.
• Have the ability to work in a team, to coordinate with other teams and to communicate effectively.
• Be able to perform under high intensity conditions.

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 (PSC)

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].

A valid Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”)[6] allowing access to classified information, issued by the competent national authority in accordance with national laws and regulations, is mandatory at the moment of application in order to enter the selection process.

The selected candidate may still be required to obtain a new PSC for the present post in accordance with national laws and regulationsand 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 new PSC is issued, the selected candidate may 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, and the attached declaration of potential conflict of interest via email, with reference to the Vacancy Number in the Subject field, to: ECO-GLOBAL-STRAT-4-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 27/06/2025 at 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.

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[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).