EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE (EEAS) - Job title: Budget Officer - HQ Contract Agent FGIV - EEAS Headquarters job No 503666

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 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.

The Budget Division (RM.BHR.1) is responsible for the establishment and management of the overall budgetary resources of the EEAS and the management of posts and organisation charts both in HQ and delegations. It is also responsible for the supervision of accounting quality related to the general accounts of the EEAS. Furthermore, it manages the budget of the EEAS for missions, expert travel expenses and delegations’ representation expenditure. 

The Budget Sector is responsible for the establishment and follow-up of the administrative budget of the organisation, covering both the Headquarters and the delegation network. The total amount managed is approximatively 1.2 Bn€ and includes the EEAS budget (984 M€) and the contribution of the European Commission to the functioning of the EU delegations.

WE PROPOSE

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

PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT

‎EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: immediately

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 renewed up to a duration to be determined, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the CEOS and subject to budgetary availabilities, and in any case not exceeding six years in total. The duration of the contract is also subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types. 

WE LOOK FOR

The successful candidate will be part of a small team in charge of the overall management of the budget of the Institution, from conception to implementation and follow-up and all intermediary stages. The work touches potentially all areas of the institution that require money, and is therefore extremely varied but sometimes also involves significant stress and pressure. 

The candidate will work together with the other Budget Officer in providing support to the modernisation of the EU Delegation Network, the preparation of the initial draft budget, through the internal and external approval procedures, and the subsequent follow-up of the execution in the subsequent year. She/he will also be called upon to establish budget estimates for various files and provide advice to colleagues on budget-related matters and procedures, including the correct usage of the budget; this latter task requiring both tact and diplomacy. 

The work can for example() involve: 

• Definition of budgetary needs based on the requests from the services;
• follow-up of budget execution and preparation of execution reports;
• independently planning and piloting of budget transfer proposals;
• preparation of briefings for the senior hierarchy of the EEAS;
• follow-up of the actions related to audit, reporting, discharge, etc.., for the budget of the EEAS;
• follow-up of the budgetary needs of the EEAS in the framework of the SUMMA project;
• representing the service in the Council & Parliaments Budget Committees;
• inter-service relations on budgetary matters; and/or 
• general reporting and management of specific files.

The successful candidate will also be expected to participate in the development of the budgetary and financial resource management policies of the Department within the overall EEAS policy framework, ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and contribute to annual activity reports, and provide information for internal audits and the Court of Auditors. 

The position’s workload is varied and demanding. The core personal requirements are a strong desire to make oneself useful, curiosity, enthusiasm and a friendly and non-confrontational personality.

Eligibility criteria

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://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/contract-staff-selection-procedures-always-open-registration). 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 significant and relevant experience in the key areas of EU budget preparation/management/follow-up;

• have significant and relevant experience on the Union’s annual budgetary procedures;

• have significant and relevant knowledge of the Financial Regulation, in particular those parts pertaining to the administrative budget;

• be a frequent and enthusiastic Excel user;

• 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 judgment;

• 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;

• 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 working in an Embassy, a Delegation (or equivalent in an international organisation);

• knowledge about the ongoing modernisation of the EU Delegation Network;

• experience of negotiations;

• a good understanding of the budgetary framework in which the EEAS and its delegations operate;

• a good understanding of the budgetary and accounting rules in application for the Union Budget;

• a good understanding of the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, and the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and its Interinstitutional Agreement, particularly on the part related to the administrative costs of the Institutions;

• experience with data-processing and reporting software like Business Objects and budget-related software like SAP and ABAC/SUMMA.

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.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

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

PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE (PSC)

This post is currently not identified as a post which requires Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”) to access EU classified information (EUCI) in accordance with point 7 of Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS and as implemented by Decision ADMIN(2025) 42 on Implementing Rules and Procedures for Personnel Security measures for protection of EU Classified Information of 20 November 2025 and its implementing decisions.

Nonetheless, candidates are informed that the list of posts requiring a PSC in the EEAS Headquarters is subject to regular review and that the current post might be identified in the future as a post which requires PSC. 

If required after the taking of duty, the selected candidate will need to be in a position to obtain a valid PSC issued by the competent authority of their Member State in accordance with national laws and regulations. 

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.

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.

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 CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@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.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number), in English or French, and the declaration of potential conflict of interest via email, with reference to the Vacancy Number in the Subject field, to:

RM-BHR-1@eeas.europa.eu

Please use the following title:

"Application: job 503666 - Budget Officer in RM.BHR.1”

To assess the candidate’s drafting and Excel skills, you are also requested to send us one Word document and one Excel workbook, which have been drafted/established by the candidate. It can for example concern a note to the file, a report, a budget estimate or an expense follow-up. We will in particular look for the ability to present complex information in a clear and structured manner.

Deadline for sending application: 20/04/2026 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.
 

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. ^

    The successful candidate will hence not necessarily have to perform all nor not only these tasks.

5. ^

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

6. ^

    OJ C 263, 26 July 2023, p.16. 

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).