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.

The Civilian Operations Headquarters (CivOpsHQ) is the permanent structure supporting the Civilian Operations Commander. The Civilian Operations Commander is the overall commander at the strategic level of currently 13 civilian CSDP crisis management missions and provides strategic guidance and direction to the Heads of Mission. The Civilian Operations Commander reports directly to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and through her to the Council of the EU. Under the political control and strategic direction of the Political and Security Committee and the overall authority of the High Representative, the Civilian Operations Commander ensures the effective planning and conduct of civilian CSDP crisis management operations, as well as the proper implementation of all mission-related tasks.

The Support Division (CivOpsHQ.4) is a dynamic Division composed currently of 35 experts in the field of Missions support: Logistics, Digitalisation, CIS, IT, Cybersecurity, Secure Communications, Budget, Procurement, Contracts and Financial aspects of the civilian CSDP Missions. Our job is to provide operational support for about 2.500 staff working on the CSDP Missions operating on the ground in crisis countries.

WE PROPOSE

The position of Financial Officer - Finance and Procurement (Function group IV), 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: 1 May 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 , subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types .

WE LOOK FOR

The person to be recruited will work within the CivOpsHQ.4 Division under the overarching guidance of the Head of Division. The position entails the following tasks:

• Monitor and report on the implementation of the CFSP budget of the civilian CSDP Missions to the Civilian Operations Commander and other relevant stakeholders [task 1.1]
• Participate in Budget Impact Statement preparation of civilian CSDP Missions by coordinating the input of different Mission support aspects under the responsibility of CivOpsHQ [ task 1.2]
• Represent the CivOpsHQ concerning CFSP budgetary matters in the RELEX Working Group of the Council [task 1.3]
• Participate in duty trips in the field, for issues related to the areas of responsibility of CivOpsHQ [task 1.4] ; 
• Provide advice within the CivOpsHQ to optimise the use of resources through budgetary analyses and reporting. Also, to follow-up on Missions audit recommendations related to the areas under the remit of the Division [task 2.1].
• Represent CivOpsHQ.4 at the regular extended desk meetings with the civilian CSDP Missions [task 2.2]
• Liaise and coordinate as appropriate with counterparts in CSDP Missions, relevant EEAS Services and Foreign Policy Instrument Service on financial and budgetary matters. [ task 2.3]
• Contribute to the drafting of Mission Support practical guides, manuals, templates and instructions [task 2.4] 
• Contribute to horizontal topics related to the CSDP Compact Commitments, the general reporting of the Division and other required reporting [task 3.1]. 
• Support the opening and closure of civilian CSDP Missions on Mission Support related matters under the responsibility of the CivOpvsHQ.4 [task 3.2]
• Design and develop Key Performance Indicators for the civilian CSDP Missions [task 3.3]
• Support civilian CSDP missions in staff selection panels as appropriate, including as chair/member of the panel [task 3.4];
• Identify and report on lessons learned and best practices within the respective area of responsibility;
• Undertake any other related tasks as requested by the Head of Division.

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://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 strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
• have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the European 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 strong service attitude;
• be a flexible team player. 
• have proven relevant professional experience (minimum 3 years) in the area of budgetary management and finance, preferably in large private or in public institutions, international organisations such as OSCE and the UN, NGOs or other similar actors; 
• have good knowledge of principles of the EU financial procedures; 
• have good skills in word processing, spreadsheets, presentations software, Internet/Intranet, use of email systems and capacity to adjust to in house IT applications;
• demonstrate thorough command of written and spoken English;
• have sound reporting skills; 
• have the ability to work professionally as a member of the Division and in multicultural task forces/working groups with mixed composition (other Mission support related functions, as well as with police, judicial, civilian and military staff);
• be resilient in case of crisis that implies unpredictable working hours and a considerable workload;
• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;

Furthermore:

• experience in working with or within EU institutions or from civilian CSDP Mission environment;
• experience in procurement, contracts, and budgetary and financial management in the EU context; 
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 .
The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “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(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

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:

CIVOPSHQ-ADMINISTRATION@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 20/04/2025 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.

Contact: Sonia VEGA ALONSO, Acting Head of Division CivOpsHQ.4
Tel: +32 2584-3762
Email: Sonia.VEGA-ALONSO@eeas.europa.eu