EEAS Call for Expression of Interest for the recruitment of one Temporary Agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) as “Communications Security Officer – COMCEN operator” (AST4)
WE ARE
The European External Action Service (EEAS), which supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent foreign policy of the European Union. The EEAS supports his tasks of conducting the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his capacity of Vice President of the Commission. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.
The Secure Communications Division, RM.SECRE.3, is responsible for the protection and registration of EU Classified Information (EUCI) within all EEAS entities and during the transfer to Member States, other EU institutions, International Organisations, agencies and missions. RM.SECRE.3 provides Classified Communication and Information Systems (CCIS), along with the infrastructure, organisation, personnel and information resources required to develop, maintain and operate them.
Within the Division, the sector containing the EEAS Central EUCI Registry and the Communications Centre (COMCEN) performs the security registration and distribution of EU Classified Information in hardcopy format and electronically throughout the EEAS and towards our external partners. The sector is entirely staffed with security cleared officials.
WE PROPOSE
The position of Communications Security Officer within the EEAS Communication Centre in charge of encrypting, decrypting, transmitting and receiving classified information. The COMCEN operator will directly work in close collaboration with other COMCEN colleagues and colleagues from the Central EUCI Registry.
WE LOOK FOR
A dynamic, proactive and highly motivated colleague with very good communication and organisational skills and with a developed sense of service. Under the direction of the Head of Sector, the person will be called to:
- Handle EU Classified Information (EUCI) and provide advice to EEAS colleagues about the handling of EUCI;
- Manage classified documents from the EEAS, EU Institutions or Bodies, the Member States, 3rd States and International Organizations via secure communication networks;
- Prepare and Distribute classified information according to EU security rules;
- Implement security measures in compliance with relevant EEAS decisions and security measures defined by the Security Directorate;
- Maintain records of the transactions, problems and actions taken;
- Act as back-up Registry Control Officer;
- Work atypical working hours including shift work and on-call duty.
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 AST4
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).
- Secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties; OR Relevant professional training followed by at least 7 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates should:
- Have a sound experience in working with IT systems handling high classified information;
- Have an experience in handling classified information;
- Have a good command of English (orally and in writing);
- Have the ability to work autonomously and to deliver in a timely manner;
- Be team players with strong communication skills and client-oriented personality;
- Be precise and focused administrative officers;
Furthermore:
- An existing personnel security clearance at the level of SECRET UE/EU SECRET would be considered as an asset
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE2:
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 RM-SECRE-3@eeas.europa.eu
For the purposes of the e-mail application, this post will appear under the subject of the email: "Application EoI-HQ (AST)-TA2b-AST4-RM.SECRE.3-Secure Communications Officer-COMCEN Operator – post 314147”
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;
Applications may be submitted during the period from 20/07/2022 to 02/09/2022 at 12:00 midday (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: " EoI-HQ (AST)-TA2b-AST4-RM.SECRE.3-Secure Communications Officer-COMCEN Operator – post 314147 ”
RM-SECRE-3@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 on the basis of 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 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 rules3. 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 AST-444 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: 01/09/2022
CONTACT:
Mr Roeland Lacroix
Deputy Head of Division RM.SECRE.3
Email: RM-SECRE-3@eeas.europa.eu
The closing date for submissions is 02/09/2022 at 12:00 hours (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/legal-content/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/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:2020:428:FULL&from=EN