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/her tasks of conducting the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his/her capacity as Vice President of the Commission with regard to his/her responsibilities within the Commission in the external relations field including the coordination of other aspects of the Union’s external action. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.

The Strategic Communication, Task Forces and Information Analysis Division (SG.STRAT.2) provides strategic communication support in the implementation of EU foreign and security policy in related priority regions (Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood, the Western Balkans) by developing and implementing specific strategic communication actions focused on advancing EU policies, values, objectives and interests.

The Division also plays a leading role in addressing foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, by implementing the Action Plan against disinformation (JOIN(2018) 36 final), European Democracy Action Plan (COM/2020/790 final) and relevant Council Conclusions, which outline and call for concrete actions to bolster EU capabilities to detect, analyse and expose disinformation and strengthen coordinated and joint responses between the Union and Member States.

The Division also conducts awareness raising campaigns about the harmful impact of disinformation and contributes to the development of effective policy responses in the EU and at the international level. It manages the EU's Rapid Alert System and works closely with other EU institutions and agencies to implement relevant policy initiatives tackling disinformation. The Division and its Task Forces contribute to effective and fact-based strategic communication and the strengthening of the overall media environment and civil society in the regions it covers.

We propose

The position of Strategic Communication Officer contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS)[1].

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available:  immediately

We look for

A highly motivated person for the Contract Agent FG IV position of strategic communications officer to be based within the EEAS Strategic Communications and Information Analysis Division (STRAT.2), Task Force South. This Contract Agent will reinforce the team and work to enhance overall EU communication efforts towards the MENA region. He/She will work in close coordination with the relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, the European Commission (DG NEAR), the EU Delegations, the Spokesperson’s Service and EU member state communications experts.

Functions and Duties:  

We are seeking a highly motivated colleague to assist/contribute to

• Develop communication strategies, campaigns and products tailored to the MENA region that engage the audiences both on social media and on the ground and promote the EU brand and positive narratives;
• Develop strategies that promote and support the EU policy actions in the MENA region using the whole strategic communications toolbox;
• Analyse the trends and developments in the information environment, provide recommendations and strategise responses; 
• Work closely with policy divisions to shape messages, narratives and other communication content;
• Develop and implement strategies to improve the information environment, counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), promote independent media, freedom of expression and healthier public debates;
• Develop content, including in Arabic, to communicate the positive impact of EU policies and EU values and interests in the region;
• Work in coordination with the EEAS Stratcom Digital and Social Media Team to localise social media content for the MENA region;
• Support the Press and Information Officers, Communication Coordinators in EU Delegations in the region and the Regional Media Officer in the production of content (including in Arabic) and material for their target audiences;
• Manage budget and relationship with contractors for campaigns and events;
• Coordinate with relevant institutions and service working on the region; as well as with external stakeholders and partners;
• Support wider functions of the EEAS Strategic Communications Divisions.

Legal basis

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, 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 successively 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 the CAST exam that this candidate will be called to attend.
• 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 be able to demonstrate good knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Current political and cultural context in the MENA region and the EU's policies and positions towards these countries.
• Communications and public diplomacy (for instance strategic communication, media relations, campaigning, content production, marketing, online marketing, social media management and audio-visual content development).
• Developing communications campaigns and communication strategies In-depth knowledge of the media and social media environment in the MENA region

Skills:

• Linguistic skills: English and/or French is required. Intercultural skills: Strong knowledge of the MENA region, ability to tailor messages to audiences in the region and understand cultural and political sensitivities
• Communications skills: Strong drafting skills; ability to write and produce communication products, news items, features and video scripts; creativity; capacity to work and communicate under time pressure in a multilingual international environment.
• Intellectual skills: Solid analytical capability; ability to grasp problems quickly and identify solutions.
• Interpersonal skills:  Team player with the ability to coordinate with other teams and multiple stakeholders. Adaptable, with a 'hands-on approach' and willingness to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
• Computer skills: Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
• Social media skills: Strong knowledge of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram is important.
• Project management: Knowledge and experience of working with contractors/service-providers, developing terms of reference, managing a budget, following up on deliverables.

Furthermore: 

• thorough knowledge and fluency in Arabic;
• experience with social media analytics;
• good knowledge and use of the Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator);
• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• knowledge of EU institutions, EU external action and EU development and neighbourhood policies and experience in working with or within other EU institutions;

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 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 the Decision ADMIN(2017) 10 on the security rules of the EEAS^[1].

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) issued by the competent authority of the Member State concerned.

Candidates who do not already have a valid PSC will be required to go through the security clearance vetting procedure of their Member State to obtain this clearance in accordance with national laws and regulations and 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(2017) 10 on the security rules of the EEAS^[3]. Until the PSC is issued by the competent authority of the Member State concerned, the selected candidate will 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 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.

Application and selection procedure[2]

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:

STRATEGIC-COMMUNICATIONS-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 08/03/2024 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.

The candidates who have been preselected will be invited for an interview by a selection panel.

The selection panel may decide, in addition to the interview, to organise written tests, either for all pre-selected candidates or to the best ranked ones, after the interview. 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 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 Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (AACC). The AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

If, exceptionally, on the date of recruitment, the successful candidate has not yet had the opportunity to pass the tests necessary to obtain the CAST, the latter will be engaged on condition that he obtains the CAST within six months of taking up his duties. Failure to obtain the required CAST will give the EEAS the right to terminate the employment contract.

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 fulfils the requirement 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 having the same job profile.

1    Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20140501&from=EN

[1]    OJ C 126, 10 April 2018, p.1.

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)