EEAS Vacancy Notice Contract Agent FG IV – RM.SCS.3 - Security Policy Officers

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 tasks of conducting the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his capacity as Vice President of the Commission with regard to his 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 Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.

Within the Resource Management Directorate, the Division HQ Security and EEAS Security Policy (SCS.3) has the mission to protect EEAS Staff, visitors, premises and physical assets in Brussels and classified information relevant to the EEAS, by putting in place appropriate security measures and procedures.

We propose

We propose two positions of Security Policy Officer - contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: 01/06/2023

We look for

We are seeking two highly motivated colleagues who will deal with EEAS Security Policy and Awareness and the protection of EU classified information, reporting to the Head of Security Policy and Awareness Sector under the authority of the Head of SCS.3 Division.

Legal basis

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).¹

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 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 CAST in 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 of 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

Based on the sector’s needs, the Security Policy Officers will be called to work on one or two of the following portfolios:

1. Technical security;
2. International agreements;
3. Security Awareness and internal communication.

Depending on the area of expertise, the tasks of the Security Policy Officers will include, among others, the following:

All portfolios:

• Contribute to the development of policies and guidelines for the protection of EU Classified Information (EUCI);
• Develop and provide security trainings and briefings in different formats to different audiences, including senior managers;
• Support the Chair of the EEAS Security Committee in his/her function and provide organisational and administrative assistance to the Committee proceedings;
• Assist the Head of Division, Deputy Head of Division and Head of Sector in carrying out activities related to the Division/Sector;
• Travel when required.

Technical Security:

• Establish EEAS security inspection protocols, the annual inspection programme, implement the workflow of the security inspections and draft inspection reports;
• Participate in on-site security inspections;
• Take part in the security accreditation process for various EEAS sites.

Security Awareness and internal communication:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the EEAS internal communication strategy on security;
• Contribute to the development of security awareness initiatives to build staff understanding of security threats, boost security-conscious behaviour, and build information literacy skills;
• Draft speaking points for management.

International agreements:

• Support the High Representative in formulating recommendations to the Council to open negotiations for Security of Information Agreements, conducting and sustaining negotiations with Third States and draft Agreements for the exchange of classified information and their implementing provisions based on the legal provisions of the article 218 TFUE;
• Take part in assessment visits to implement Security of Information Agreements or Administrative Arrangements;
• Cooperate with the Council and the Commission to ensure coherence among the institutions’ security rules and their implementation. Participate to the respective Security Committees.

Candidates should:

• be fluent in English (both orally and in writing);
• have relevant education or experience in security;
• have sound knowledge and/or proven experience in the areas of drafting policies or administrative guidelines or interpreting legal texts;
• have excellent communications skills (also in public speaking);
• have excellent writing skills, including the proven ability to produce tailored material for different audiences;
• have the ability to analyse complex policy and data and communicate it clearly to different target audiences;
• have an excellent capacity to create constructive working relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States;
• have the capacity to perform diverse tasks accurately and with flexibility in a complex institutional environment;
• have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the European Union;
• have a good knowledge of the most common IT tools.

Furthermore,

• experience with managing EUCI and a thorough knowledge of the Security Rules of the EU Institutions;
• experience in corporate communications;
• working experience with the EU institutions, International organisations or diplomatic missions;
• experience in planning and managing administrative tasks related to Committee proceedings;
• knowledge of relations with National Security Authorities and/or Accreditation of Secured areas;
• and fluency in French

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.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting if (s)he does not already hold a security clearance to an appropriate level (EU SECRET), in accordance with the relevant security provisions.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

Brussels, Belgium

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Contract agent position (Function group IV); renewable contract for a maximum duration of 6 years (with a valid CAST exam).

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The EEAS is committed to an equal opportunity 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 procedure³

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number) to SECURITY-RECRUITMENTS@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 28 April at 18.00 (CET).

Candidates shall draft their CV following the European CV form 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 panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

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.

It is recalled, that if the interest of the service so requires, the selection procedures can be terminated at any stage in the interest of the service.

1. Staff Regulations of Officials (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). For reference, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20190101

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.

3. 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).