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.

The Division "RM.HR.5 - Local Agents” mission is to formulate a comprehensive human resource policy for over 3200 local agents employed in the EU Delegations and to help the delegations implement it.

We develop rules, policies and guidelines pertaining to HR policy, employment conditions, health insurance, pension and emoluments of local staff employed in Union Delegations and we ensure their conformity with the respective local laws of host states (outside the EU).

We support the Heads of Delegation and the Heads of Administration in the daily management of local staff and in handling legal disputes that may arise in this context.

To this end, the division is supported by the Legal Department (SG.AFFGEN.2), which provides legal analyses and legal opinions on Union law concerning the employment of local staff, as well as the local law provisions applicable by virtue of their employment contracts.

We facilitate an inclusive and wide-ranging social dialogue with the staff representatives and committees. We also carry out these activities on behalf of and in coordination with the Commission.

We propose

The position of “Legal/HR Officer” contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). The selected candidate will be required inter alia to provide legal analysis, advice and assistance in particular on local staff matters in Union Delegations.

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: as soon as possible

We look for

A highly motivated colleague to handle complex HR policy and legal issues (pertaining to the local legislation of the local staff’s countries of employment and the European Union’s legal framework); to this end, the colleague should also have a background knowledge of human resources policies, practices and procedures and possesses the ability to apply them in an organizational setting.

As legal officer/advisor in the area of human resources (HR), you will work in a team and focus mainly on the legal compliance of our HR services and processes in all aspects of a combined Union law and local law, from recruitment until the end of contracts’, including payroll and employee benefits.

A colleague who enjoys designing and implementing HR policy, is solution- and service – oriented and likes handling variety in a fast-paced environment, while assisting the Head of Division in:

• providing legal analysis and advice on administrative law and on EEAS staff matters, in particular for local staff in Union Delegations (including employment contracts, disciplinary procedures, termination of contracts, conflict resolution including before local jurisdictions, etc);
• reviewing draft internal administrative rules and legal acts (internal rules, implementing rules, contracts and other legal instruments);
• providing guidance in the area of expertise to management and operational units (including Delegations);
• communicating and giving training on local agent employment issues, especially on disciplinary measures;
• providing advice on ad hoc cases or horizontal issues in other areas of administrative law and EU civil service law, including and not limited to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, data protection and access to documents; 
• preparing written communications to relevant actors in HQ and Delegations on legal obligations and procedures;
• preparing synthesis notes and briefings on legal and risks to facilitate decision-making by hierarchy, including on relations with other Union institutions (European Parliament, Court of Auditors, European Ombudsman, etc.).

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, in particular Article 82 thereof.

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 Contract Agent Selection Tool (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 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 and have a university degree in law;
• 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 professional experience providing legal advice;
• have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound legal judgement;
• have sound knowledge of EU legal and institutional matters;
• have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS;
• have strong service attitude;
• be able to draft legal texts in English and in French;
• be a flexible team player.
• experience in working with or within other EU institutions, especially in HR or legal services.

Furthermore, the following would be considered as strong assets:

• have sound understanding of the EU Staff Regulations and Conditions of Employment of other Servants (CEOS);
• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• Proficiency in Spanish would be considered as an asset;
• Experience in dealing with employment, tax and social security;
• Experience in managing projects, working in a fast-pace environment;
• Ability to work in a demanding environment, with short delay, with high level project demand; and
• Agility, creative and flexible mind-set to solve multi-dimensional problems.

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 already hold a Personal Security Clearance to an appropriate level, in accordance with relevant security provisions.³

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 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.

Application and selection procedure⁴

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number), in English or in French via email, with reference to the Vacancy number in the Subject field, to:LOCAL-AGENTS@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 13/03/2023 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.

Pre-selected candidates shall be invited to sit the CAST exam before or after the interview stage by the selection panel (in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out above).The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Empowered 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 the selection procedures may be terminated at any stage in the interest of the service.

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, including in the Legal Department of the EEAS.

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, seehttps://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. Decision of the Director General for Budget and Administration of the EEAS on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS ADMIN (2019)7

4. 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)