Vacancy notice – Job title: Policy Officer – PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing)/ Space Threat Response Duty Officer Contract Agent FGIV EEAS Headquarters – Job No 426066
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 Division "Space” (Secdefpol.5) of the EEAS assists the Special Envoy for Space (SES) to support the space activities of the EEAS in their operational, diplomatic and policy dimensions.
The SES and Secdefpol.5 Division assist the HR and the EEAS Secretary General (SG) in their operational tasks:
- Firstly, in protecting the security and essential interests of the Union and its Member States by averting threats to security or mitigating serious harm to the essential interests of the Union or Member States related to the components of the Union Space Programme.
- Secondly, in ensuring the operational direction of the EU Satellite Centre (SatCen) on behalf of the HR, and acting as Tasking Authority.
- Furthermore, the SES and the Secdefpol.5 Division contribute to the development and implementation of the Strategic Compass through the development of the Space Strategy for Security and Defence and expert advice on security aspects of the EU space components of the EU space programme.
- They also develop and coordinate EU positions regarding space safety, security and sustainability in multilateral fora (mainly the UN) as well as contribute to international dialogues, along with the Commission, on aspects related to security in and from space.
WE PROPOSE
The position of Policy Officer – PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing) / Space Threat Response Duty Officer contract agent FGIV as per Article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”).
The Policy Officer – PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing) / Space Threat Response Duty Officer contributes to the development and implementation of EU policies related to secure positioning, navigation and timing services, including Galileo and the Public Regulated Service (PRS) in the framework of the EU Space Programme and the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence. The postholder monitors political, security and technological developments affecting space-based PNT capabilities and supports coordination with EU institutions, Member States, agencies and international partners.
In addition to policy responsibilities, the postholder will serve as a Space Threat Response Duty Officer within the framework of the EU Space Threat Response Architecture. The Duty Officer will participate in a 24/7 on-call duty system and act as the first point of contact for the notification, monitoring and initial assessment of space-related threats, incidents and crises affecting the European Union, its Member States or EU space assets and services.
Subject to having passed the CAST exam, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV), as per Article 3b of the CEOS, on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of one year. This contract 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
Policy Officer – PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing) / Space Threat Response Duty Officer
We look for an enthusiastic colleague with sound expertise in both PNT and in security and defence. He/she will formulate the EEAS input on the use of these services for security and defence in the EU and, to that end, will work constructively with Member States and the relevant EU entities.
The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong interest in EU space policy and in the security and defence dimensions of the EU Space Programme. He/she will contribute to defining and monitoring policies in the area of space and security/defence as well as space and international relations.
As Policy Officer, the successful candidate will monitor political, security and technological developments affecting space-based PNT capabilities and support coordination with EU institutions, Member States, agencies and international partners.
As STRA DO (Space Threat Response Architecture Duty Officer), the colleague will need a high sense or responsibility and will need to be agile in learning to work with the relevant secure systems. He/she will need a good political sense in order to determine how to handle specific incidents and will need to work seamlessly in a team.
As Duty Officer, the successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of operational procedures to address threats to or through EU space services and capabilities. Strong analytical skills, sound judgement and the ability to perform effectively under pressure will be essential.
The Policy Officer will also be expected to take up other files as assigned and will therefore need to have the ability to take a broader view and to quickly find their way in new files.
Eligibility criteria
In addition to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS and in the Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 final , which is applicable to the EEAS by virtue of the Decision ADMIN(2018) 4 of the High Representative, candidates must:
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have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV, 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;
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have completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;
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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 have:
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the ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and communication in a complex, multicultural environment;
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the capacity to create constructive working relations with national authorities, civil society, international organisations and EU Member States;
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strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
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knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;
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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;
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strong service attitude;
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be a flexible team player;
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demonstrated experience in EU space policy, space security or related security and defence matters;
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sound knowledge of the EU Space Programme, especially Galileo/PRS;
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proven ability to provide strategic analysis and policy advice on security, defence and geopolitical aspects of space;
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experience in coordination and stakeholder engagement within the EU institutional framework and with Member States.
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;
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”)
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(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 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 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.
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:
and
md-psd-secdefpol-administration@eeas.europa.eu
Deadline for sending application: 07/10/2026 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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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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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’.”
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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.