Civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions promote stability and security and build resilience in fragile environments. The missions carry out a broad range of activities including monitoring, border security, supporting the reforms of the police, criminal and justice systems, with a strong focus  human rights and the Rule of Law. 

Civilian CSDP missions are one of the EU’s principal operational crisis management tools. 

At present, there are 12 Civilian CSDP missions and one civilian-military security and defence initiative currently deployed in countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. 

Based in Brussels, the Civilian Operational Headquarters (CivOpsHQ) serves as the permanent operational headquarters for all these civilian missions which fall under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The CivOpsHQ is also part of the structure of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
 

The objective of EU civilian CSDP missions is to reduce instability in our neighbourhood and make Europe more secure.

The total budget of the civilian CSDP Missions is currently around €348 million per year (2024). CSDP missions deploy at the invitation of the Host State or under a UN mandate. The Member States of the European Union agree on their mandates by unanimity.

The Civilian Operationsߴ Commander is responsible for the conduct of the missions under the political direction of the Political and Security Committee and the High Representative of the European Union, Kaja Kallas.

The EU currently deploys 12 Civilian CSDP Missions in Ukraine, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Armenia, Libya, the Palestinian Territories (Ramallah and Rafah), Mali, Somalia, Iraq, the Central African Republic and a civil-military Security and Defense Initiative in the Gulf of Guinea.

Approximately 2 000 mission personnel are deployed in the field. Civilian experts deployed in EU civilian CSDP Missions have a large range of professional profiles, corresponding to the requirements of the respective Mission mandates. Some of the work they do includes:

· advise and train local partners in Africa, Europe and the Middle East

· provide expertise to guard against cyber and hybrid threats

· monitor developments along international borders or administrative boundary lines in post-conflict zones

· some have a mandate to act as second tier security responders.

The first Civilian CSDP mission was launched in January 2003. Since then, a total of 25 Civilian CSDP Missions have been deployed by the European Union around the world.

Managing Director Stefano Tomat is the Civilian Operationsߴ Commander for all EU civilian missions.

The Civilian Operations Commander leads an HQ staff of approximately 120 Brussels-based policy experts. CivOpsHQ supports the Commander in maintaining command and control over all civilian missions. It offers 24/7, 365 day-a-year support to missions in their theatres of operation.

The CivOpsHQ makes the EU a more effective global security provider. It serves as the engine for the development and implementation of operational concepts in EU civilian crisis management

The principal tasks of the CivOpsHQ and its staff are to:

· ensure the command and control and duty of care capabilities for civilian missions

· support for the Civilian Operationsߴ Commander in the execution of his/her responsibilities 

· formulate human resources policies and oversees force generation and selection of mission personnel

· establish common standards and systems for all civilian missions to ensure consistency and coherence of action

There are more than 120 different job-types in the Civilian CSDP missions. Currently, all EU Member States contribute personnel to the Civilian CSDP Missions.

Roles range from Head of Mission to auditor, forensic archaeologist to transport officer, border monitor to communications expert, police adviser to legal officer, financial verifier to translator, and human resources manager to logistics manager.

The CivOpsHQ also incorporates a unique blend of expertise with both EU civil servants and seconded national experts working on matters such as policing, rule of law, hybrid threats, recruitment of mission personnel, procurement, logistics and finance. They also support the conduct of mission operations.

• Follow the link to search vacancies available in CSDP Missions.

The Civilian Operationsߴ Headquartersߴ divisions support the Civilian Operationsߴ Commander in exercising command and control for the operational planning and conduct of all civilian crisis management missions, based on division specific tasks.

The CivOpsHQ is composed of the following divisions:

CivOpsHQ.1 - Horizontal topics and concepts

This Division’s role is to translate policy into clear operational concepts for the field, and to support and monitor their effective implementation. It is also in charge of knowledge management, overseeing the achievement of the EU “Civilian Compact” agreed by Member States, and developing partnerships with non-EU actors.

CivOpsHQ.2 – Operations

This Division oversees and manages EU civilian missions, and is in charge of planning and operational conduct. It is the main point of contact between the Civilian Operationsߴ Headquarters and the Missions.

CivOpsHQ.3 – Personnel

This Division supports the EU civilian missions in attracting, recruiting, retaining, and managing staff for international positions in order to fulfill the missionsߴ mandates.

CivOpsHQ.4 – Support

This Division is responsible for a range of services to the EU civilian missions, including communication and information systems, IT applications and infrastructure, cybersecurity and logistics, and is also responsible for budgetary matters.

CivOpsHQ.5 – Security and health

This Division is in charge of ensuring that the duty of care is properly discharged in civilian CSDP Missions.