WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the EU's diplomatic service. It helps the EU's foreign affairs chief – the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – carry out the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The European Union (EU) currently has 145 Delegations, eight of which are to international organisations. In all, 6200 staff are currently serving in these Delegations.  The Delegations are placed under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also Vice President of the European Commission. The work of a Delegation varies from country to country but, in general, covers political matters, press and information, trade, aid management and the external aspects of internal EU policies.

The EEAS Field Security Division is part of the Crisis Response Centre (CRC). The EEAS CRC is a permanent crisis response capability and the single entry point on all crisis related issues in the EEAS, bringing together diplomatic, security and intelligence capabilities, and ensuring a close interaction between Delegations, Missions and Operations on the ground when facing a consular or security crisis.

Field Security Division (EEAS SG.CRC.3) is a dynamic team, responsible for providing security advice and support to EU Delegations worldwide, enabling their work and assisting with the fulfilment of the legal duty of care obligation towards the EEAS staff and eligible dependents, assets and information.

The Division has three sectors: Operations, Resources & Logistics and Strategy. The Operations sector provides the link between HQ and field operations including the Regional Security Officer/Adviser (RSO/A) network, comprising 71 RSO/As (with 3 HQ RSO/A floaters and 68 RSO/As posted in Delegations). The Resources and Logistics Sector carries out oversight of the budget lines for Security services contracts worldwide (security static guarding and close protection), coordinates on all security contract tenders, manages the procurement and maintenance of armoured vehicles, personal protective equipment, radio-communications networks, the Division's human resources (including RSO/A network recruitment and rotation), and is involved in all security related financial, budgetary, legal and audit matters. The Strategy Sector is responsible for the drafting of policies, training of Security Management Teams, security e-learning tools, training of RSO/As, Service Level Arrangements and the content of Hostile Environment Awareness Training courses.

WE PROPOSE

A position as Regional Security Officer in the EU Delegation to Niger – job n° 332358

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Niamey, NIGER

LCA: 40%

POST AVAILABLE: 01/09/2024

We will offer to the successful candidate a contract corresponding to a Contract Agent FG III, as per Article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS) for an initial period of 3 years, with possibility of renewal that may lead to a permanent contract.

The successful candidate will be part of a motivated team with a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork.

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), in particular Article 82 thereof. ^[1]

It is recalled, that if the interest of the service so requires, the selection procedures can be terminated at any stage.

WE LOOK FOR

A Regional Security Officer (RSO), is a security professional under the Field Security Division of the EEAS Crisis Response Centre Directorate. Security in a Delegation is managed by a Security Management Team chaired by the Head of Delegation and where the RSO is the only member fully dedicated to security matters. Beyond having the right knowledge, skills and experience on security, the RSO must have outstanding soft skills in order to be able to operate efficiently in a diplomatic environment. It is key the capability to build personal relationships within and outside the Delegation, so as to establish an appropriate network of contacts with security counterparts from other diplomatic missions and the host country security forces. The main responsibilities of the RSO are to advise and assist the Heads of Delegations and the Union Delegation’s staff in arranging and implementing all physical, organizational and procedural measures related to the security of the Union Delegations on his/her portfolio (Niger). The RSO, under the direct operational control of the EEAS Field Security Division (FSD) and shared administrative control between the Head of Delegation to Niger and FSD, will undertake the following activities:

• conduct regular risk analyses of the situation in his/her countries, applying the EEAS Security Risk Management (SRM) methodology, and keep Headquarters and the Heads of Delegations regularly informed via oral and written reports,
• contribute to the implementation of security measures as designed in collaboration with the Field Security HQ Team and agreed by the Delegation,
• raise awareness, give advice and train staff members on issues of protection/security,
• design, evaluate and supervise the use and maintenance of security equipment and implementation of procedures for the security of persons, goods and information,
• supervise the services provided by the private security company contracted by the EU Delegation in accordance with Key Performance Indicators, reporting accordingly and correcting any action not up to the required standards,
• prepare and implement crisis management procedures, including aspects of evacuation and support to consular crises. To this end, he/she is required to draft contingency and emergency plans as well as SOPs for security matters,
• ensure good contacts with all diplomatic security actors in his geographical area, including with the host country authorities and/or agencies. Participate in security meetings organized by Member States, the UN and/or other partners,
• when requested, contribute with EEAS FSD in reviewing and updating policies, norms and procedures related to security.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Further to the conditions set out in Article 82 CEOS, in order to be eligible for the post of contract agent FG III, candidates must:

•  (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid FG for this post or

(ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent Contract Agent Selection Tool (CAST) for this post (https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/node/13617). In that case, while the registration will render the candidate eligible for the selection procedure, the recruitment of a candidate on this vacant post will be subject to successfully passing the CAST exam that this candidate will be called to attend.[2]

• Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for engagement as contract agent FG III: 

(i) Have a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma; or

(ii) a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, and appropriate professional experience of at least three years; or

(iii) in exceptional circumstances and where justified in the interest of the service, professional training or professional experience of an equivalent level (related to the nature of the tasks and qualifications indicated in the Job Description).   

• 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 experience in the area of security, in particular diplomatic security protection or a relevant security area;
• have gained at least 4 years' full time relevant professional experience (e.g.: police, military);
• have knowledge of Operational Security Management, including Security Risk Management;
• have good drafting, communication and analytical skills;
• have problem solving and organisational skills;  
• have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the European Union;
• have experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• be physically fit for purpose and able to perform long-term missions to countries under critical threat levels,
• have the ability to work under periods of stress e.g. responding to a range of security incidents and security crises including evacuations,

Furthermore:

• any training and/or formal education in Security, Operational Security Management or Business Continuity, would be considered as strong asset.

• Working languages

• Capacity to work in languages of the CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties (EN and FR);
  • Knowledge of other languages will be considered as an asset.

POSTING POLICY

EEAS career development policy places the need for staff to develop a mix of competences at its core, e.g. working in various fields of expertise and responsibilities in the course of a person's career, including postings at Headquarters and Delegations.

RSOs in Delegations are usually posted for 4 years. Call for interest to apply for extension or early mobility will be launched annually prior to the publication of the mobility exercise. Staff are reminded that extension and early mobility are not a right.

RSOs assigned to a non-family post or a post under evacuation level three may participate in the mobility exercise after 2 years.

Within the mobility exercise, contract staff may be temporarily assigned to the EEAS Headquarters in Brussels; such assignment shall remain exceptional and depends on the availability of posts. The assignment shall be for no less than two years, unless a derogation is authorised by the Head of Division Selection and Recruitment in the interest of the service.            
The assignment shall be for no more than four years, in accordance with Article 118 of the CEOS and Article 3 of Annex X of the Staff Regulations. The member of contract staff temporarily assigned to Headquarters shall be included in the mobility exercise in time to be reassigned to a Union Delegation before he/she reaches the maximum period of 4 years.

Candidates who are contract staff as per article 3a of the CEOS temporarily assigned to HQ, are expected to have served at least three years in HQ by the expected time of posting in Delegation. Derogation to this rule may only be granted in the interest of the service.

External candidates may also apply to any vacancy position published for Delegations.

It is in the interest of the service to ensure that staff members in Delegations are able to complete full postings before reaching the age of retirement. Before taking any final decisions on nominations, the appropriate Authority Authorised to conclude contracts of engagement (AACC) will ensure on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Staff Regulations (SR) and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants to the Union (CEOS)^[3] that the successful candidates will indeed be able to complete the relevant full posting for the post for which they were selected. As stated in Article 6, Point 2(a), applications from candidates not fulfilling this requirement will be examined by the AACC for exceptional and justified reasons and in the interest of the service.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

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

1. Application

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

Equally, candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the local living conditions, including information concerning the accommodation, before applying. Individual post reports are available from EEAS.RM.01 - Coordination Division: RM-01-COORDINATION@eeas.europa.eu

Candidates should also ensure that they are fully aware of the relevant security provisions i.e. Personal Security clearance at the level EU SECRET will be requested in all EU Delegations. Successful candidates will be required to undergo security vetting if they do not already hold security clearance to the appropriate level in accordance with the EEAS relevant security provisions.

During the application procedure, candidates will be required to send the following documents:

1. an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae ( (preferably using the Europass CV https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae), in either English or French, indicating clearly your EPSO CAST number;
2. a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) in either English or French;

Applications should be submitted to the following email address:

FIELD-SECURITY-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu

With copy to

Contractagents-delegations@eeas.europa.eu

By submitting an application, candidates grant permission to the concerned human resources and recruiting departments to use these documents.[4]

Deadline for applications is 13/05/2024 at 12.00 hours (midday, Brussels time). Candidates are strongly advised to submit their application as early as possible. Late applications will not be accepted.

For correspondence concerning the selection procedure, please use the following email address:

CONTRACTAGENTS-DELEGATIONS@eeas.europa.eu

2. Pre-selection

The selection panel in HQ will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter, and will submit a shortlist of a limited number of eligible candidates who best meet the selection criteria for the post to HQ, who will then check the eligibility of the candidates. Those candidates who do not have a valid CAST will be invited to take the tests.

3. Selection

The HR department will invite the eligible candidates who have been pre-selected for an interview to 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 will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the relevant Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (AACC).

The selection panel may decide, in addition to the interview, to organise written tests, either for all pre-selected candidates or to the best ranked ones after the interview. 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.

The pre-selected candidates shall be invited to sit the CAST exam before or after the interview stage by the selection panel (in accordance with the eligibility criteria set out above).The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (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.

Furthermore, in the interest of the service, after identifying the candidate that best fulfils the requirement of the post as set out in the vacancy notice and that has successfully passed the CAST exam, 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 an equivalent post in the EEAS having the same job profile.

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

PERSONNEL 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 the Decision ADMIN(2017) 10 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 (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(2017) 10 on the security rules of the EEAS^[7]. 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.

As a matter of policy, applications of individuals who have the dual nationality of the host country or the partner of whom has the nationality of the host country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The EEAS examines if there could be a conflict of interest and the consequence of a possible refusal by the host country to grant diplomatic immunity to the staff member and or his/her partner and family, as well as possible security risks. The HR Department may ask for additional information from the applicant in this context.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service. On that occasion, the candidate should indicate any serious health problems or requirements for specialised medical treatment for themselves and/or for the individuals who will accompany them. If staff members withhold such information they will not benefit from a reimbursement by the institution of certain costs, e.g. expenses relating to medical evacuation, or to a return to Headquarters in the case of early mobility.

Prior to recruitment, the successful candidate will be contacted by our services in order to fulfil the relevant medical requirements for the post as appropriate, including a psychological assessment which the AACC reserves the right to request.

OTHER

Candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the provisions of Annex X of the Staff Regulations, which applies to staff serving in Delegations located outside the European Union, regarding their rights and obligations (leave entitlements, allowances, reimbursement of expenses, social security benefits).

Candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the local living conditions, including i.a. information concerning security, health care, education, social acceptance of sexual orientation, employment opportunities for spouses and the accommodation provided (Annex X, Article 5 or 23), before applying. Candidates are strongly encouraged to consult the relevant Country Post reports which are available from EEAS.RM.01 - Coordination Division: RM-01-COORDINATION@eeas.europa.eu

All postings will in principle be aligned with the mobility cycle and have the 31 August of a given year as end date.

Successful candidates shall participate in all compulsory pre-posting training. All posts in an EU Delegation require the successful completion of BASE, a security e-learning. The “Hostile Environment Awareness Training" (HEAT) is compulsory before taking up duty/going on mission in some countries. The EEAS will provide the selected candidate with that possibility in case she or he has not yet followed the training.

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 the Functional mailbox CONTRACTAGENTS-DELEGATIONS@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 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.

ADDRESS FOR INQUIRIES

CONTRACTAGENTS-DELEGATIONS@eeas.europa.eu

[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]    An invitation to sit the CAST exam does not commit the EEAS to offer a Contract Agent position, should they succeed the CAST exam.

[3]             http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF

[4]           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).

[5]    OJ C 126, 10 April 2018, p.1.

[6]    The ‘Personnel Security Clearance’ is defined under point 2 of Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2017) 10 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]    OJ C 126, 10 April 2018, p.1.