Vacancy notice – Job title: Finance and Contracts Assistant - Procurement - Contract Agent FGIII - EEAS Headquarters - job No 461168
WE ARE
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. Since 2011, the EEAS carries out the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of the EU across the globe. It brings together European civil servants, diplomats from EU Member States, national experts and local staff worldwide.
The EEAS supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to steer the Union’s CFSP, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), to represent the EU on issues relating to the CFSP and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports her as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to her responsibilities within the Commission, 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 EEAS Headquarters are in Brussels. It is also responsible for the management of the network of 145 Union Delegations and Offices worldwide. These Diplomatic Representations play a vital role in representing the EU in the country where they are based, in promoting the values and interests of the EU, and in building networks and partnerships. They are responsible for all policy areas of the relationship between the EU and the host country/organisation.
The recruiting Division RM.SCS.2 - Public Procurement, Contracts and Finance is to be responsible for procurement and contracts for Headquarters and Delegations and for ex ante financial verification of transactions stemming from public contracts. It supports and advises the authorising officers by sub- delegation in the management of their public contracts including their risk management. Contracts covered by the Division are those subject to the Public Procurement Directive (services, supplies and works) and exclude all kind of employment contracts or building contracts.
The Public Procurement Sector establish the public procurement policies, processes and procedures for services, supplies and works contracts in the EEAS as well as provide support to the users. It also provide tools and methodologies to support professional procurement practice, i.e. ensure the availability of tools and processes to deliver smart procurement, such as eProcurement tools, guidelines and templates with corresponding training, support and expertise, aggregation of knowledge and exchange of good practice. Moreover, acting on behalf of the responsible Authorising Officer by sub-delegation (AOSD), centrally manage the public procurement procedures leading to services, supplies and works contracts awarded by the EEAS whose estimated value is above the 2014/24/EU Directive thresholds for services and supplies, and above EUR 500.000 for works (later referred to as "high-value procedures").
WE PROPOSE
The position of Procurement Assistant, contract agent FG.III as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”).
Subject to having passed the CAST exam, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group III), 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, subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types.
PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT
EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available: immediately
LEGAL BASIS FOR RECRUITMENT TO THIS POSITION
The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof.
WE LOOK FOR
A dynamic, proactive and highly motivated contract agent responsible for legal analysis/advice on procurement. S/he will be part of a team reporting to the Head of the Public Procurement Sector. S/he will have as main responsibilities:
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Analyse the operational needs, translate them into procurement documents, prepare and run of high-value procurement procedures with HQ Divisions and EU Delegations;
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Act as the focal point for a number of horizontal tasks such as the preparation/update of templates, standard documents and guides relating to procurement, including for (very)low and middle-value contracts, green procurement or any other manual on procedures;
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Provide support in particular in relation to the use of the tools developed for procurement procedures and contracts;
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Provide legal analysis, advice and assistance on procurement matters to HQ Divisions and EU Delegations worldwide;
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Prepare synthesis notes and briefings to facilitate decision-making by the hierarchy;
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Participate to the preparation/update of the Annual Procurement Plan of the EEAS;
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Train EEAS staff on procurement topics and hold information sessions on the Financial Regulation, procurement guidelines and templates;
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Be proactively involved in the broader activities of the Division, actively cooperating with other Sectors of the Division (Contracts’ management and Finance).
Eligibility criteria
Further to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS, candidates must:
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have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid function group for this post, or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in a valid function group for this post (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;
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have a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma or a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education and appropriate professional experience of three year;
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have the capacity to work in the languages of the CFSP and external relations (English and French) necessary for the performance of their duties;
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be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen.
Selection criteria
Candidates should:
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have minimum two (2) years of professional experience providing legal analysis/advice on procurement matters;
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have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound legal judgement;
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have sound knowledge of the EU Financial Regulation;
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have the ability to communicate complex issues simply and to identify practical solutions;
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have excellent drafting and communication skills both in English and French (C1 and above);
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be service-oriented and have strong prioritising skills;
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be a flexible team player, willing to integrate a small team and to ensure business continuity;
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have the ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and communication in a complex, multicultural environment;
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have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS.
Furthermore:
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experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
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experience in working with or within other EU institutions, especially in the area of procurement and legal analysis/advice;
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, all candidates shall fill 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, unless the successful candidate is a temporary agent currently employed in the EEAS.
PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE (hereafter, “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:
Deadline for sending application: 16/06/2026 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 pre-selection will be done by a panel on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter.
The preselected candidates who best meet the selection criteria will be invited for an interview, so that the selection panel can evaluate them objectively and impartially on the basis of their qualifications, professional experience and linguistic skills, as listed in the present vacancy notice.
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”). If appropriate, the relevant Director, Managing Director or other senior manager of the recruiting division may conduct confirmatory interviews, prior to the final selection by the AACC.
It is recalled that, if the interest of the service so requires, the selection procedure can be terminated at any stage.
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.
If the successful candidate accepts the position, they will be expected to take up duties on the post. Consequently, their applications to other vacant posts within the EEAS will only be considered after two years on the post. Derogations may be granted in the interest of the service.
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Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).
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Contract Agent Selection Tool.
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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.
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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.
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All the eligibility criteria must be met on the closing date for applications to this post.
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OJ C 263, 26 July 2023, p.16.
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Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. The privacy statement is available on the EEAS Intranet: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eeas-privacy-statement-data-protection-notice-purpose-processing-personal-data-related-selection-0_en.