WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union's (EU) 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 currently has 144 Delegations, eight of which are to international organisations. In all, 6200 staff are currently serving in these Union Delegations. The EU 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 main mission of EEAS Digital Solutions division is to assist the European External Action Service and EU’s Delegation worldwide network in achieving its strategic objectives by supporting administrative and core business processes with modern Information and Communication Technology tools. The unit is composed of 50 officials and more than 200 experts and is organised in four sections: Management, IT Operations, Services and Security.

WE PROPOSE

A position as Regional IT Officer (RITO) in one of the EU Delegation as listed below. In addition to the below mentioned post, the EEAS aims to create a reserve list of suitable candidates for future vacancies in other EU Delegations.

The Regional IT Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the IT infrastructure and the IT support to the users of the Delegation and other Delegations in the region.

• Delegation to Turkey / job no. 437097

Place of Employment: Ankara, TURKEY

Living Conditions Allowance (LCA) + 15%

Post available immediately.

Deadline for applications: 12 February 2024, 12:00 midday Brussels time

We will offer to the successful candidates a contract corresponding to a Contract Agent Function Group III (CA FGIII) contract, 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.

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).^[1]

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

WE LOOK FOR

Under the authority of the Head of Delegation (HOD) and under the direct responsibility of the Head of Administration (HOA), and the direct instructions of the Digital Solutions Division EEAS.RM.SCS.5, the RITO will be responsible for the IT infrastructure and IT support of the users.

The main tasks to be executed are:

End-User Support

• Provide level 1 to level 3 IT support to staff in the assigned Delegations and (if applicable) support and supervise local IT staff. Ensure defined processes are well followed by the IT staff (proper use of ITSM tools).
• Responsible for normal/expected IT operations for users, with minimal business impact and according to the urgency of the incident.
• Ensure the proper registration, by using the ticketing tool, all IT incidents and service requests reported to the IT Officer, whenever unable to provide a solution, escalate to the appropriate higher level of support.
• Ensure, follow-up, implement solutions, and in general, participate in the Incident and Request Fulfillment processes actively.
• Resolve incidents or service requests, both rapidly and in a satisfactory way (through either a permanent fix or a temporary workaround).
• Maximise the number of tickets resolved without 2nd/3rd level intervention.
• Assist, if requested, in the configuration of the PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange) system and assist with telephone handsets (change of name, hunt group, voicemail) and in using the telephone system.
• To monitor the ICT status of the Delegation using the provided monitoring tools: SolarWinds, McAfee reports, SCCM patching reports, etc.

ICT infrastructure management

• Ensure the implementation and perform daily operations of the server infrastructure, their maintenance, upgrades, updates, backups, restores, capacity planning, security and audit, incident and problem management.
• Manage shared resources (disks, printers); assign rights to users; create and maintain necessary automation scripts.
• Manage the internal LAN, the IP address allocation and other network equipment.
• In general, take the necessary measures to ensure a high level of quality and availability in the ICT infrastructure.
• Monitor closely the status of the IT infrastructure and react properly to incidents and outages.
• Install and manage the Wifi infrastructure of the Delegations.

ICT equipment management

• Deploy the new PC/Laptops Reference configurations, software updates, etc. via the provided tools and procedures (SCCM) in coordination with HQ support and local IT Support.
• Manage the stock of laptops for staff members going on missions – recuperation and clean-up of laptops when returned after the missions.

ICT security management

• Apply the security policies decided by the Headquarter and propose additional measures if necessary.
• Manage whenever necessary the accounts, keeping updated the different directories.
• Ensure that all precautions are taken concerning sensitive information.
• In general, implement the necessary measures to keep a high level of IT security in the office.

ICT advice and management

• Organize and/or attend meetings on day-to-day matters related with the IT operation, participate in discussions, assessing the impact of changes and make recommendations.
• Assist the Head of Administration with budget related expenditure estimates, in the preparation, maintaining of office budgets and servicing costs.
• Assist in the negotiation with suppliers, associated agencies with regard to equipment, cabling, access to Internet etc.
• Maintain necessary budgetary control records.
• Prepare a quarterly activity report.
• Ensure business continuity by remotely managing the ICT infrastructure during absences or missions of other RITOs for the Delegations.
• Perform missions to Delegations within the region or exceptionally on demand to other regions.

• Participate in one or more “Centres of Expertise” (COE), according to own expertise on specific IT fields, and provide effective level 1 to 3 IT support to all Delegations. In parallel, participate in global IT projects, related to own expertise, as requested by EEAS RM.SCS.5.
• Optionally and when requested by EEAS RM.SCS.5, act as "Service Owner" i.e. responsible for the delivery of specific IT services, at global scale.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Proven experience in the following areas:

• End-user support in front and back office – including ITIL processes.
• Installation and maintenance of Datacentre infrastructure.
• Knowledge and management of Microsoft OS for endpoints and servers, virtualization and storage (VMWARE and/or HyperV).
• Installation and maintenance of enterprise networks (LAN, router, firewalls, wifi, fibre and coper cabling, VOIP technologies, telephony, videoconferencing…). 
• Configuration, maintenance, patching and support of workplace equipment (laptops, desktops, printers, smartphone, tablets) in a large environment including software distribution and (remote) support.

General skills and competencies

Candidates should demonstrate (and will be evaluated on):

• being service minded;
• strong communication skills – capacity to translate complex technical matters into “user language”;
• a sense of initiative, autonomy and hands-on approach;
• very good organisational skills;
• capacity to assure quality, speed and accuracy in performing complex tasks in a multicultural environment.

Furthermore

• Experience in handling secure communications and classified information;
• Knowledge of IT tools used in EU institutions (ARES, MIPS, Sysper2, Syslog, etc.);
• Experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment

will be considered as assets.

Working languages

• Fluent in English (written and orally);
• Knowledge of French and other EU languages, and knowledge of the language(s) of the country of the Delegation will be considered an asset.

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 Function Group (FG) for this post or

(ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in a valid FG for this post https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application. 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 their successfully passing the CAST exam that this candidate will be called to attend.[2] The CAST is the Contract Agents Selection Tool, administered by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). The candidates interested in the post are asked to create an EPSO account and register for a permanent CAST in Function Group III in the respective field (Information and Communication Technology). Candidates are kindly asked to share the ID number of their CAST application when submitting their documents.

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).

• Have the capacity to work in languages of CFSP 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.

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 (please see above) 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, Rights and Obligations (RIGHTS-AND-OBLIGATIONS@eeas.europa.eu).

Candidates should also ensure that they are fully aware of the relevant security provisions i.e. Personal Security Clearance (PSC) 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.

Candidates are asked to submit the following documents:

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

Applications should be submitted to the Digital Solutions Division, RM.SCS.5:

RM-SCS-5-HR@eeas.europa.eu

with a 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.[3]

Deadline for applications is 12 February 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 makes 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 HR, who will then check the eligibility of the candidates. Those candidates who do not yet 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 AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

If, exceptionally, on the date of recruitment, the successful candidate has not yet had the opportunity to pass the tests necessary to obtain the CAST, the latter will be engaged on condition that he obtains the CAST within six months of taking up his duties. Failure to obtain the required CAST will give the EEAS the right to terminate the employment contract.

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 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 the same post or an equivalent post in the EEAS having the same job profile.

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.

Contract staff in Delegations is usually posted for 2, 3, 4 or 6 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.

Contract staff assigned to a post where the living conditions allowance determined in accordance with Art 10 of Annex X of the Staff Regulation (LCA) is 30% or 35% may participate in the mobility exercise after 4 years.

Contract staff assigned to a post where the LCA is 40% may participate in the mobility exercise after 3 years.

Contract staff assigned to a non-family post may participate in the mobility exercise after 2 years.

For candidates currently in compound-confined, non-family posting, please refer to Article 6, point 2(g) of the Decision ADMIN(2021)221.

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 four years.

Candidates currently in 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)^[4] 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.

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

Successful candidates are obliged to participate in all pre-posting training.

PERSONAL SECURITY CLEARANCE

A candidate selected for a posting shall be assigned or appointed on condition that they are granted Personal Security Clearance (PSC) at EU SECRET level in accordance with Decision ADMIN(2019)7 of the Director General for Budget and Administration of the EEAS of 8 March 2019 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the European External Action Service. A selected candidate that is not in possession of the required PSC shall initiate the process for requesting the PSC in accordance with Article 5 of Decision ADMIN(2019)7 within ten working days from the notification of their selection for the post, in line with Article 11 of the EEAS Rotation Decision.

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 notably for hardship posts (countries with 30% Living Conditions Allowance or higher).

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 (“Basic Awareness of Security”), 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 invite the candidate to a selection panel nor to offer a Contract Agent position, should they succeed the CAST exam. 

[3] 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 EEAS website: (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/data-protection_en) and on the EEAS Intranet: (https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-statements-dp-notices).

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