WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to conduct and implement an effective and coherent Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), to represent the EU and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council. 

It also supports the High Representative in her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to her 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 EU Member States, the General Secretariat of the Council, the services of the Commission and the Secretariat General of the European Parliament.

Within the EEAS, the Peace, Partnerships and Crisis Management Directorate (PCM) supports the EU’s role as a peace enabler, security provider and defence actor, in line with EU foreign policy priorities, the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence and the Civilian CSDP Compact.

The successful candidate would join the Peace, Security and Defence Partnerships Division (PCM.2). This Division is responsible for the EU peace, security and defence partnerships, including with International and Regional Organisations, such as the UN and NATO, as well as with bilateral partners across the globe. It works in close cooperation with other services within the EEAS, with EU Delegations, within the European Commission and the Council, with EU Member States, International Organisations, Third States as well as NGOs and think tanks.

WE PROPOSE

The position of Policy Officer contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”)^[1].

PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT

• ‎EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

• Post available: 01/09/2025

LEGAL BASIS 

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof. In case of recruitment, 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 up to a maximum duration of six years[2], subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types[3]. 

WE LOOK FOR

The position of Policy Officer to promote EU’s bilateral relations in security and defence with partner countries; as well as to work on horizontal issues pertaining to EU partnerships in peace, security and defence. The Policy Officer will join the Security and Defence Partnerships Team, which is a sector in PCM.2.

Under the functional authority of the Head of Division and the supervision of the Head of Sector, the Policy Officer will perform the following main functions and duties:

• Contribute to the development, management, monitoring and implementation of EU’s peace, security and defence relations with partners.
• Prepare bilateral dialogues, workshops consultations and negotiations with international and regional organisations and non-EU partner countries, as well as contribution to the preparation of relevant meetings of the Council and its preparatory working parties, as appropriate;
• Provide advice and analysis on political/security/defence developments in partner countries within his/her mandate, and contribute to the definition of strategic objectives.
• Follow up policy proposals through the inter-institutional decision-making process, including adoption by the Commission and High Representative, European Parliament and / or Council of the European Union.
• Assist in the representation of the EU, participate in ministerial and high level and working meetings with partner countries, as well as in other relevant engagements.
• Develop and maintain good relations with representatives of the partner countries.
• Respond to inter-service consultations to secure coherence with the EU's partnership policy on partner countries.
• Draft of briefing and policy documents, strategic analysis, options and Food for thought papers, correspondence with key partners and all similar work related to peace, security and defence, within the area of responsibility; handle and draft replies to oral and / or written questions from Members of the European Parliament, letters and questions from third parties.
• Assist the Head of Sector for Security and Defence Partnerships with regard to horizontal issues pertaining to EU partnerships in peace, security and defence;
• Conduct outreach activities on EU peace, security and defence actions, organise and contribute as speaker in public diplomacy events such as seminars, conferences and training activities;
• Prepare and assist in negotiations of Framework Participation Agreements, Security and Defence Partnerships or other binding/non-binding documents in the geographical area of competence and support the negotiation of Partnership priorities in the field of security and defence;
• Contribute to the planning, organisation and conduct of the annual Schuman Security and Defence Forum as necessary;
• Contribute to other tasks and follow other areas and regions within the remit of the Division as necessary, in the interest of the service.

Eligibility criteria[4]

Further to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS, candidates must:

• have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid function group for this post, or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST for FG IV (https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application). In the latter case, while the registration will make the candidate eligible for the selection procedure, the recruitment of a candidate on this vacant post will be subject to his/her successfully passing the CAST exam;

• have completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;

• have the capacity to work in the languages of the CFSP and external relations (English and French) necessary for the performance of their duties; 

• 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 knowledge and experience of the EU external policies and instruments, notably in the area of the CFSP and CSDP; 

• 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 the capacity to work and deliver within time constraints, notably in an international/multilingual environment;

• have strong service attitude;

• be a flexible team player.

Furthermore: 

• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;

• experience in working with or within other EU institutions;

• experience of negotiations;

will be considered as strong assets. 

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND SECURITY RISKS

As a matter of policy, applications by individuals who have dual nationality of which one of a non-EU country, will be considered on a case-by-case basis taking account in particular of the functions attributed to the vacant post. The EEAS also examines if there could be a conflict of interest or security risks.

In this context, candidates shall fill in with their application a declaration of potential conflict of interest (see attached).

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service.

PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE (PSC)

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 Annex A of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS^[5].

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”)[6] 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(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS. 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 1(d)(4) of the Staff Regulations.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE[7]

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number), in English or French, and the attached declaration of potential conflict of interest via email, with reference to the Vacancy Number in the Subject field, to: MD-PSD-PCM-2@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 09/07/2025 at 12.00 noon (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, subsequent to the interview, to organise written tests, either for all pre-selected candidates or to the best ranked ones. 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 without a valid CAST shall be invited to sit the CAST exam before or after the interview stage (in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out above). 

The panel will then recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (hereafter, the “AACC”). The AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

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 fits the requirements 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 with the same job profile.

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[1] Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). 

[2] Article 8 of the Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 of 16.10.2017 on the general provisions for implementing Article 79(2) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, governing the conditions of employment of contract staff employed by the Commission under the terms of Articles 3a and 3b thereof.

[3] Decision ADMIN(2023) 24 on the maximum duration of engagement by the European External Action Service of non-permanent staff under successive limited duration contracts of different types, and on the minimum lapse of time between successive contracts under Article 2(e) of the CEOS.

[4]     All the eligibility criteria must be met on the closing date for applications to this post.

[5]    OJ C 263, 26 July 2023, p.16. 

[6]    The ‘Personnel Security Clearance’ is defined under point 2 of Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS as “a statement by a competent authority of a Member State which is made following completion of a security investigation conducted by the competent authorities of a Member State and which certifies that an individual may, provided his ‘need-to-know’ has been determined, be granted access to EUCI up to a specified level (CONFIDENTIEL UE/EU CONFIDENTIAL or above) until a specified date; the individual thus described is said to be ‘security cleared’.”

[7] 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).