PRINT

Vacancy notice – Job title: Secretary to the Director / Deputy Managing Director for Africa - Contract Agent FGII - EEAS Headquarters – Job No 495757

17.07.2026 New opportunity

Deadline for sending application: 07/08/2026 at 12.00 noon (CET).

 

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 EEAS Managing Directorate (MD) for Africa, including five divisions and 46 delegations, supports the High Representative and Vice President of the Commission (HRVP) in defining and implementing the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy in Africa.

WE PROPOSE

The position of Secretary to the Director/Deputy Managing Director (DMD), as a contract agent FGII as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”).

The selected candidate will be the Secretary to the Deputy Managing Director and will have primary responsibility for the management of their agenda and administration. They will also collaborate with the Political assistant to the Managing Director and with the administrative assistant as part of a team of three who jointly support the smooth functioning of the whole Managing Directorate.

Subject to having passed the CAST exam, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group II), 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: 1 September 2026

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, flexible and proactive colleague with good communication and organisational skills with a developed sense of service. The Secretary should be able to quickly adapt to new working environment and be a good team-player. The successful candidate should have very good computer skills, a sound knowledge of the standard IT applications and administrative procedures used in the EAAS. They will be entrusted with the following main tasks:

  • Provide efficient secretarial support;

  • Provide overall administrative support to the Deputy Managing Director (DMD);

  • Coordinate the administrative and financial procedures and processes;

  • Deliver the expected outputs and achieve the objectives required by the DMD in accordance with existing rules governing the EEAS administration;

  • Carry out various administrative tasks such as diary-keeping, overview of deadlines for DMD Africa tasks and coordination with the secretaries of the MD and of the Divisions, filtering telephone calls, filing and ordering supplies, dealing with correspondence;

  • Document management: registration of incoming and outgoing correspondence, including in Ares;

  • Manage functional mailboxes and send requested information and documents;

  • Organise missions of DMD Africa using MIPS application;

  • Organise meetings, events and incoming visits;

  • Support the DMD in the overall management of Human resources processes

  • Co-ordinate the creation, keeping up to date and retrieval of documents and data in the appropriate files or IT databases (Hive);

  • Assist with the preparation of briefing files, speeches, etc;

  • Facilitate communication within the Africa Department, within the EEAS, as well as with external partners;

  • Act as back-up for the Secretary to the Managing Director and for the administrative assistant when needed.

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 in a valid function group for this post (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 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;

  • 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:

  • Proven experience in the secretariat field. Experience in the field of external relations will be an asset;

  • Experience in treatment of classified and sensitive information;

  • Experience in operational and administrative support;

  • Experience in resources, information and document management;

  • Adaptability to new working environment and be a good team player;

  • Very good computer skills (MS Office) and good knowledge of standard administrative procedures;

  • Ability to perform multiple tasks, to adjust to changing priorities, pressing deadlines, perform tasks autonomously and ensure good coordination with the other secretaries and with the Divisions;

  • Very good knowledge of English and French in oral and written form supported by recognised experience in using them as main working languages;

  • good inter-personal skills, excellent team working spirit, flexibility to accept when needed long working hours and availability to work mainly in presence mode;

Furthermore:

  • Experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;

  • Experience in working with or within other EU institutions and/or in EU Delegations;

  • A certain level of understanding of the region in the remit of the Directorate as well as exposure to Diplomacy

  • 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:

pol-africa-dmd@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 07/08/2026 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.

  1. ^

     Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). 

  2. ^

     Contract Agent Selection Tool.

  3. ^

     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.

  4. ^

     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.

  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. ^

     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’.”

  8. ^

     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.