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 EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), of representing the EU and of 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 the General Secretariat of the Council, the services of the Commission and the Secretariat General of the European Parliament.

The Communications Policy and Public Diplomacy Division leads the European Union's efforts on the public dimension of European diplomacy and its communication on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as its external action more broadly. It pro-actively communicates and enhances support for the values, policies, priorities, actions and impact of the EU as a global actor among EU citizens and at the international level.

The Division supports the EU Delegations and relevant Missions and Operations around the world in communicating and enhancing support for the EU and its activities and policies to the relevant audiences. It also supports and facilitates the internal communications in the European External Action Service and plays a leading role in information management activities.

We propose:

The position of Information and Communication Officer at the Communications Policy and Public Diplomacy Division (SG.STRAT.1) - Contract Agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).

We look for:

a highly motivated official and team player who will work closely with the relevant services within the EEAS, the Commission and the EU Delegations. The position is part of the Division’s Geographic team that covers strategic communications and public diplomacy in Asia, Africa and the Americas. The post encompasses the tasks of:

• developing narratives and implementing EEAS strategic communications in line with annual thematic communication priorities;
• guiding the EU Delegations in the development of coherent and focused strategic communication plans, including analysis of target audiences and communication channels;
• overseeing the timely annual reporting and planning of delegations;
• designing and coordinating communication campaigns and projects on specific issues and priorities and assisting Delegations in formulating campaigns;
• developing attractive communication materials in close cooperation with other communication officers (writing articles, press materials, social media and audio-visual materials, fact sheets, etc.);
• developing the narratives to communicate the benefits of the EU policies, values and interests;
• monitoring and analysing the perceptions of the EU's policies and values/interests in diverse information environments;
• ensuring that pages of geographical aspect on the EEAS website contain accurate and up to date information, including impact stories and web features;
• promoting closer cooperation and synergies between the EEAS and other EU institutions, with special regard to Commission external services in their efforts towards effective EU strategic communications;
• working together with relevant EU Institutions and bodies on strategic medium-long term activities, including regional or country-based communication campaigns and representing the Division in relevant internal and external meetings.

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

The successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV); renewable contract for a maximum duration of 6 years (with a valid CAST exam).

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible for the post of contract agent FG IV candidates must:

• (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid FG for this post ;

or

• (ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in a valid FG for this post https://epso.europa.eu/apply/job-offers_en?keyword=&contract=37&grade=All&institution=101&location=All
• 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

Candidates should:

• have an excellent ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation, communication in a complex, multicultural environment;
• have an excellent capacity to create constructive working relations with international organisations, EU Member States, various EU services and other stakeholders;
• have strong drafting, communication and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
• have excellent 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, able to work in a small team within the Division, the Geographical team, and being ready to support Delegations, as well as colleagues and back them up whenever required;
• have fluency in both spoken and written English and French.

Furthermore:

• experience of working in an Embassy, a Delegation (or equivalent in an international organisation);
• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• experience in working with or within EU institutions;
• and working knowledge of Spanish

would be considered 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 might be required to undergo security vetting if she or he does not hold already a Personal Security Clearance to an appropriate level, in accordance with relevant security provisions.

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 mailto: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 procedure²

1. Application procedure³

Before submitting their application, candidates should carefully check whether they meet all the eligibility criteria in order to avoid exclusion from the selection procedure.

Candidates must exclusively apply through the online system, e-Application.

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/eapplication/index.cfm

Programme ID: Information and Communication Officer

To log on, an EU LOGIN is required; a helpdesk facility is available by email here:

EEAS-IT-HELPDESK@eeas.europa.eu.

During the on-line application procedure candidates must complete the application form, and upload:

• their CV (in English or French, preferably using the Europass format http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/htm/index.htm)
• a motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) in either English or French.
• the certificate from the Minister of Foreign Affairs (for current temporary agents applying for a renewal of their contract and for candidates from EU national diplomatic services): In accordance with Article 6(11) of Council Decision 427/2010, each Member State shall provide its officials who have become or renew their contract as temporary agents in the EEAS under Article 2(e) of the CEOS with a guarantee of immediate re-instatement at the end of the period of service to the EEAS.
• copy of their passport/ID (Candidates from the diplomatic services of the EU Member States)
• the “absence of conflict of interest form” annexed to these vacancy notice adequately filled in (Annex 1). Additional details on the absence of conflict of interest may be requested at a later stage from the selected candidates.

Deadline for submitting applications is Friday, 11 March 2022 at 12:00 CET (Brussels time). Candidates are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to submit their application.

Late applications will not be accepted.

For correspondence with the EEAS Human Resources Directorate concerning the selection procedure, please use the following email address: mailto:CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@eeas.europa.eu

2. Pre-selection

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.

3. Selection

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 Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: immediate

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 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).

³ Your personal data will be processed in accordance with the new Data Protection Regulation (EC) 2018/1725, (EUDPR), in force since 11 December 2018. More information is available on the EEAS website: http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/index_en.htm.

Direct link to the privacy statement click here. EEAS Intranet: e-DPO