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 Sanctions Division supports the EU's foreign policy through the development and maintenance of restrictive measures (sanctions) in pursuit of specific foreign and security policy objectives.
In particular: the Division prepares and participates in discussions and negotiations regarding sanctions in the Council working groups, drives the process for the adoption and review of the 40 existing EU sanctions regimes, develops sanctions policy, prepares or supports the preparation of listings proposals, coordinates with likeminded countries where relevant, works on increased understanding of sanctions both inside the institutions and outside. The Division works very closely with many services within the EEAS, the Council and Commission in pursuing its mandate. The Sanctions Division is a growing team of 12 colleagues.

We propose

The position of Sanctions policy officer - contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).

The policy officer will be the lead for a portfolio of sanctions regimes, and for relations with a number of third countries.

We offer an interesting opportunity in a high profile and expanding field and a dynamic team. This is a challenging position offering the possibility to manage one of the EU's concrete tools to promote the CFSP and to deal with a large range of political and legal issues.

The tasks are very varied and include among others:

• preparing policy and legal documents related to sanctions, in close cooperation with EEAS geographic services and with other EU institutions, Member States and international organisations, as appropriate;
• preparing and supporting the negotiation of sanctions regimes, including legal acts, in relevant Council bodies;
• assessing existing sanctions regimes in the light of EU's foreign and security policy objectives to ensure they are well-targeted and implemented, bearing in mind the risk of unintended negative consequences and the political, legal, financial and economic context in which they are imposed;
• drafting reports and briefings for hierarchy;
• supporting partnerships with the UN, and third countries in the areas of EU sanctions policy as well as with other actors (e.g. economic operators, civil society etc…) including through participation in dialogue and outreach.

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: immediately

We look for

We are looking for a dynamic, proactive and highly motivated colleague with strong analytical and negotiation skills to occupy the post of sanctions policy officer.

The candidate should have a good understanding of EU policy-making and decision-making processes, and an understanding of inter-institutional relations. He/she will have to work in an international and multicultural environment in close synergy with Member States and EU institutions.

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
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)
• 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 the ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and communication in a complex, multicultural environment;
• have the capacity to create constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States;
• have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
• have 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 a strong service attitude;
• have geographical knowledge and/or experience of the Neighbourhood;
• be a flexible team player
• be fluent in English (both orally and in writing). Other languages (French, Spanish, Russian, etc.) are a strong asset.

Furthermore:

• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• experience in working with or within other EU institutions
• experience in the sanctions and/or legal field

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 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 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

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number) via email to SANCTIONS@eeas.europa.eu with a copy to gosia.tylman@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 16/02/2023 at 12.00 (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.

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. 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)