Political assistant in the Office of the Secretary-General – EEAS.SG.OFFICE

WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in the exercise of his mandate to conduct and implement an effective and coherent EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), of representing the EU and of chairing the Foreign Affairs Council.

It also supports the High Representative in his capacity as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to his 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 General Secretariat of the Council, the services of the Commission and the Secretariat General of the European Parliament.

The Secretary General oversees the daily work of the EEAS, both politically and administratively. He has a close team lead by the Head of Office, a secretariat, and 3 political assistants.

WE PROPOSE

The position of political assistant in the Office of the Secretary-General.

A challenging and demanding position as political assistant in the Office of the Secretary- General, working closely with the colleagues in SG office, supporting and advising the Secretary-General in all policy matters related to the portfolio attached to this position, and ensuring that the SG’s guidance is implemented.

The main responsibilities of the post are as follows:

• Support and advice the SG on all matters pertaining to the portfolio – both horizontal and geographic – including development of strategies, objectives and partnerships.
• Ensure follow-up to the SG’s guidance and coordination of all aspects of policymaking within the EEAS portfolio, working closely with departments, Delegations and with SG.COORD.
• Contribute to inter-institutional coordination and cooperation, in particular with the Commission.
• Analyse the political situation and impact of all the files under his/her remit in close cooperation with geographical and horizontal departments.
• Review and ensure appropriate quality of notes, briefings, reports, etc.
• Advice and support the SG in prioritisation and preparation of missions, accompany him/her as appropriate.
• Maintain and nurture contacts with Member States and third countries within his/her portfolio.

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), in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents.

The successful candidate will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) at the grade of AD07 for a 4-year duration, renewable for another 2 years.

ELEGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates must meet ALL of the following general and specific conditions on the closing date for online applications:

• Be a national of one of the EU Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen;
• Meet any obligations imposed on him or her by the laws concerning military service;
• Provide the appropriate character references as to his suitability for the performance of his duties;
• Have the capacity to work in languages of the CFSP (English and French, in writing and orally). Both languages are required in the performance of the duties. The command of one language must be at minimum C1 level (Language 1 — thorough knowledge) and the command of the other one must be at minimum B2 level (Language 2 — satisfactory knowledge).
• possess a level of education
  • which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, OR
  • which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and relevant professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years.
• have gained at least 6 years' full time professional experience. This experience must have been gained after obtaining the four-year diploma or after obtaining the three-year diploma and the one year relevant professional experience;

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates should:

• have an excellent ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation, communication in a complex, multicultural environment;
• have an excellent capacity to create constructive working relations with national authorities, international organisations, EU Member States and partner countries;
• have strong drafting, communication and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
• have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;
• have experience and knowledge of CFSP and CSDP-related issues,
• have an established track record of advisory and support positions in international organisations, in an international context or in a diplomatic service;
• have the ability to conceptualise issues well, analyse, prioritise and structure information quickly, and identify and implement solutions;
• have the ability to act autonomously and authoritatively when needed, within established procedure and under the authority of the SG
• have a flexible and adaptive approach to a fast-changing working environment, resilience to stress, ability to deliver within tight deadlines and flexibility in terms of working hours.
• strong organisational skills, in view of preparing and supporting complex meetings or missions.

Furthermore:

• experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• experience of negotiations
• experience of working in European institutions, in particular the Commission, and
• knowledge of the EEAS and its working methods
• experience of working in an Embassy, a Delegation (or equivalent in an international organisation);

would be considered assets.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE(2):

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

1. Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest should be sent by e-mail to the following functional mailbox: EEAS-HQ-APPLICATIONS-AD@eeas.europa.eu

For the purposes of the e-mail application, this post will appear under the subject of the email:

“EoI: Political assistant in the Office of the Secretary-General – EEAS.SG.OFFICE division/2022-EoI-HQ (AD)-TA2b- AD07- 394650” Such an expression of interest must be accompanied by:

• An updated Curriculum vitae. Candidates are invited to use the "Europass" CV format (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae) for their applications.
• A letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) in either English or in French;

Expressions of interest/applications may be submitted until 11/08/2022 at 12.00 midday (CET – Brussels' time)

For correspondence concerning the selection procedure, please use the following email address (the e-mail must have in the subject the following title: "2022-EoI-HQ (AD)- TA2b- AD07- 394650”

To: EEAS-HQ-APPLICATIONS-AD@eeas.europa.eu

Copy: flavia.cismas@eeas.europa.eu

2. Pre-selection

The selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter.

3. Selection

The candidates who have passed the pre-selection step will be invited for an interview so that the selection panel can evaluate these candidates objectively and without prejudice based on their qualifications, professional experience and linguistic skills. Additional specific written or oral tests might be organised by the panel.

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.

If pre-selected, candidates with disabilities are invited to contact us at EEAS-HQAPPLICATIONS- AD@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 and recruited, the EEAS is committed to appropriate measures in order to accommodate his or her special needs to the working place or working conditions in accordance with Art 1d(4) of the Staff Regulations.

APPOINTMENT:

The selected candidate will be recruited as temporary agents under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS), in accordance with EEAS Decision ADMIN(2015) 20 on the engagement and use of temporary agents

The selected candidate will be required to undergo a medical fitness examination in accordance with Article 13 of the CEOS.

Candidates shall have a valid Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) allowing them to access information classified at the level “SECRET UE/EU SECRET” or will be required to undergo the corresponding security vetting in accordance with the EEAS security rules(3). In case the successful candidate does not obtain his or her PSC, his or her engagement will be terminated.

In case of positive results on the medical fitness examination and after assessment of the PSC conditions, the candidate will be offered a contract as Temporary Agent, Grade AD074 for a duration 4 years renewable only once for another 2 years.

All member of the temporary staff shall serve initially a nine-month probationary period in accordance with Article 14 CEOS.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Brussels, Belgium

POST AVAILABLE: immediately

CONTACT: Massimo Santoro, Head of the SG Office Tel: +32 2 584 2400 Email: massimo.santoro@eeas.europa.eu

The closing date for submissions is 11/08/2022 at 12.00 midday (CET – Brussels' time).

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 Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. The privacy statement is available on EEAS webpage: http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm

3 In accordance with the Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 19 September 2017 on the security rules for the European External Action Service, ADMIN(2017) 10, OJ C 126, 10.4.2018, p. 1, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2018.126.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ:C:2018:126:TOC

4 The basic salaries offered by the EU institutions are set out in Article 66 of the Staff Regulations. The current level, can be accessed via the link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:2020:428:FULL&from=EN

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