EEAS Vacancy: Secretary (AST-SC2) to the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) - DMD MENA, Middle East and North Africa

WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent foreign policy of the European Union and in her tasks of conducting the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in her capacity of Vice President of the Commission. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.

The EEAS Managing Directorate (MD) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including six Divisions covering from Morocco to Iran, supports the High Representative and Vice President of the Commission (HRVP) in defining and implementing the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy in the MENA region. 

WE PROPOSE:

The EEAS is launching a call for expression of interest for the recruitment of one Secretary to the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) (AST/SC2) as Temporary Agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the EU[1] in accordance with EEAS Decision Admin(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents.

Please note that, candidates who have been engaged by the EEAS as non-permanent servants (temporary and contract agents engaged under Article 3b of the CEOS), will be bound by Decision ADMIN(2023) 24 of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 14/07/2023 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 and repealing the Decision ADMIN(2020) 10 of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 16/07/2020.

WE LOOK FOR:

A dynamic, proactive, highly motivated and resilient colleague able to work under time pressure with very good coordination and organisational skills and with a developed sense of service. He/she will be entrusted with the following main tasks:

• Provide efficient secretarial support;

• Provide overall administrative support to the Deputy Managing Director (DMD);

• Coordinate the administrative and financial procedures and processes;

• Deliver the expected outputs and achieve the objectives required by the DMD in accordance with existing rules governing the EEAS administration;

• Carry out various administrative tasks such as diary-keeping, overview of deadlines for DMD MENA tasks and coordination with the secretaries of the MD and of the Divisions, filtering telephone calls, filing and ordering supplies, dealing with correspondence; document management: registration of incoming and outgoing correspondence, including in Ares;

• Organise missions of DMD MENA staff using MIPS+ application;

• Support the organisation of key meetings and events such as MENA directors meetings; 

• Support the DMD in the overall management of Human resources processes.

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)^[2], in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents 

The successful candidate will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) at the grade of AST/SC2.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Candidates must meet ALL of the following general and specific conditions on the closing date for online applications:

• Be a national of one of the EU Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen;

• Meet any obligations imposed on him or her by the laws concerning military service;

• Provide the appropriate character references^[3] as to their suitability for the performance of their  duties;

• Have the capacity to work in languages of the CFSP in writing and orally.

• Secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties; OR Relevant professional training followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties.

• Candidates who, at the time of the application, are EU officials, independently of their administrative status under Article 35 of the SR, cannot request to be recruited as temporary agents under Article 2(b) of the CEOS and, in the interest of the service, are therefore ineligible.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Candidate should have:

• Proven experience in the secretariat field. Experience in the field of external relations will be an asset;

• Experience in treatment of classified and sensitive information;

• Experience in operational and administrative support;

• Experience in resources, information and document management;

• Adaptability to new working environment and be a good team player;

• Very good computer skills (MS Office) and good knowledge of standard administrative procedures;

• Ability to perform multiple tasks, to adjust to changing priorities, pressing deadlines, perform tasks autonomously and ensure good coordination with the other secretaries  and with the Divisions;

• Very good knowledge of English and French in oral and written form supported by recognised experience in using them as main working languages;

• good inter-personal skills, excellent team working spirit, flexibility to accept when needed long working hours and availability to work mainly in presence mode;

Furthermore

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

• Experience in working with or within other EU institutions and/or in EU Delegations;

• A certain level of understanding of the region in the remit of the Directorate as well as exposure to Diplomacy

Would be considered as assets.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND SELECTION PROCEDURE[4]:

The selection procedure will take place in three different and successive steps:

1. Expression of Interest

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

Expressions of interest should be sent by e-mail to the following functional mailbox: md-mena@eeas.europa.eu, copying AST-SC-STAFF@eeas.europa.eu

For the purposes of the e-mail application, the e-mail must have in the subject the following title:

"EoI-HQ (AST/SC)-TA2b-AST/SC2-DMD MENA-job nr 508430"

Such an expression of interest must be accompanied by:

• an updated Curriculum vitae. Candidates are invited to use the "Europass" CV format (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae) for their applications.

• a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) in either English or in French;

• Declaration of potential conflict of interest form filled in, dated and signed.

The deadline for submission of expressions is 26/02/2026 at 12:00 midday (Brussels time). 

For correspondence concerning the selection procedure, please use the following email address (the e-mail must have in the subject the following title: "EoI-HQ (AST/SC)-TA2b-AST/SC2- DMD MENA-job nr 508430"): md-mena@eeas.europa.eu

2. Pre-selection

The selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter.

3.  Selection

The candidates who have passed the pre-selection step will be invited for an interview so that the selection panel can evaluate them objectively and impartially based on the selection criteria, as listed in the present call for expression of interest. Additional specific written or oral tests might be organised by the panel. Following a comparative assessment of the merits of the preselected candidates, the selection panel will recommend the name of a candidate to the Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment, and possibly, name(s) of other candidate(s) that should be placed on a reserve list valid for maximum 12 months. That list would be used, on the one hand, in case of refusal of the offer or unavailability of the recommended candidate in the present procedure and/or, on the other hand, for other future similar recruitment needs.

Depending on the outcome of future appointment procedure(s) under Article 29 of the SR for a similar profile, EEAS services may, in case no suitable candidates are found among EU officials, have other job opportunities that would involve the recruitment of the Temporary Agents under Article 2(b) of the CEOS. If any, candidates in the above-mentioned reserve list may be contacted by other EEAS services for potential recruitment. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

The EEAS strives to be a dynamic, respectful and inclusive Service. We value the talent and professional excellence of our staff, and are committed to building an organisation where gender equality and the respect of diversity are core values, as set out in the EEAS Mission Statement and the EEAS Agenda for Diversity and Inclusion. The EEAS is committed to achieving gender balance within its workforce and strives to avoid any form of discrimination during this selection procedure, as per Article 1(d) of the SR. We actively welcome applications from all qualified candidates without any discrimination based on any ground. We commit to recruit candidates with the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, carrying out a selection based on merits required for the post and from the broadest possible geographical basis among the EU Member States.

The EEAS is committed to working with people with disabilities in the terms of the SR. If, by virtue of your medical condition or special needs, you require reasonable accommodation for a part or the entirety of this selection process, please send us an email to EEAS-HQ-APPLICATIONS-AST@eeas.europa.eu. Your request will be treated in strict confidence and no record will be kept. If a candidate with a disability is selected for a vacant post, the EEAS is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Article 1(d)(4) of the SR. 

All selected candidates are expected to adhere to the Principles of Professional Behaviour of the EEAS, which outline the need for integrity, transparency, respect, professionalism and accountability, and a zero tolerance approach to any form of harassment. 

RECRUITMENT:

The selected candidate will be recruited as temporary agents under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS), in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents.

It is recalled, that if the interest of the service so requires, the selection procedures can be terminated at any stage and the post be filled by a reassignment in accordance with Article 7 of the SR and Article 10 of the CEOS.

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 with their application a declaration of potential conflict of interest (Annex attached)

Personal Security Clearance

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(2025) 42 on Implementing Rules and Procedures for Personnel Security measures for protection of EU Classified Information of 20 November 2025 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 CONFIDENTIAL 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 7 of the Decision ADMIN(2025) 42 on Implementing Rules and Procedures for Personnel Security measures for protection of EU Classified Information of 20 November 2025.

Medical fitness

The selected candidate will be required to undergo a medical fitness examination in accordance with Article 13 of the CEOS. 

In case of positive results on the medical fitness examination and after assessment of the PSC conditions, the candidate will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent, Grade AST/SC-2[7] for a duration of 2 years renewable subject to the possibility of extension offered by the EEAS Decision ADMIN(2023) 24 on the maximum duration of engagement. 

All member of the temporary staff shall serve initially a nine-month probationary period in accordance with Article 14 CEOS.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Brussels, Belgium

POST AVAILABLE: immediately

CONTACT:

Ms Rosamaria GILI

Tel: +32 2 584 2880

Email: rosamaria.gili@eeas.europa.eu

The closing date for submissions is 26/02/2026 at 12:00 midday (Brussels time).

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[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] 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

[3] criminal records certificate

[4] Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. The privacy statement is available on EEAS webpage: http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm

[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] The basic salaries offered by the EU institutions are set out in Article 66 of the Staff Regulations. The current level, can be accessed via the link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C_202502153
A number of factors are taken into account in calculating your pay. Use the pay calculator for an individual estimate:
https://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/staff/EN/working-conditions/pay/Pages/calculettes.aspx