Information and Communication Officer, CA FGIV - GII.GLOBAL.STRAT.3, Strategic Communication Regional Teams and Coordination of Task Forces

EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE (EEAS)

Vacancy notice – Job title: Information and Communication Officer

HQ Contract Agent FGIV

EEAS Headquarters job No 447714 

WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to conduct and implement an effective and coherent Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), to represent the EU and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council. 

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

The Directorate for Policy Planning and Strategic Communication (STRAT) steers communications and outreach to promote the role of the EU as a strong global actor, ensures the EEAS’ contribution to EU efforts to fight disinformation, information manipulation and interference, and coordinates strategic policy analysis with a view to inform policy and decision-making. The Directorate develops Strategic Communication and Public Diplomacy activities across a wide range of geographic and thematic topics and works in close cooperation with EU Delegations, Member States, international partners and relevant services from other EU institutions. 

The recruiting Division is STRAT.3: Strategic Communication, Regional Teams and Coordination of Task Forces. Its mandate is to provide strategic communication support in the implementation of EU foreign and security policy in related priority regions (Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood, the Western Balkans, Sub Saharan Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific) by developing and implementing specific strategic communication actions focused on advancing EU policies, values, objectives and interests. The Division and its Task Forces contribute to effective and fact-based strategic communication and the strengthening of the overall media environment and civil society in the regions it covers. 

The Division also plays an important role in addressing foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, in the regions outside of the EU, by implementing the Action Plan against disinformation (JOIN(2018) 36 final), European Democracy Action Plan (COM/2020/790 final) and relevant Council Conclusions, which outline and call for concrete actions to bolster EU capabilities to detect, analyse and expose disinformation and strengthen coordinated and joint responses between the Union and Member States. 

WE PROPOSE

The position of Information and Communication Officer contract agent FGIVas per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”)^[1].

PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT

‎EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: immediately 

LEGAL BASIS 

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof. 

In case of recruitment, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV), 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[2], subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types[3]. 

WE LOOK FOR

A highly motivated person for the Contract Agent FG IV position of Information and Communication Officer to be based within EEAS STRAT.3 Division (Strategic Communication, Regional Teams and Coordination of Task Forces), in the Europe and Western Balkans Team. This Contract Agent will join the Team and work to enhance overall EU strategic communication efforts towards the Western Balkans region and Europe (outside the EU, including UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Türkiye). 

The person will work in close coordination with the relevant policy divisions of the EEAS, the European Commission (DG ENEST), the EU Delegations, the Spokesperson’s Service and EU member state communications experts. 

The Contract Agent will be responsible for, among others: 

• Contribute to deliver strategic communication in support of the HRVP and the EU Foreign Policy in close cooperation with the relevant geographic department in the EEAS, other EU institutions and EU Delegations in the region;
• Assistance to EU Delegations in the development of coherent and focused strategic communications action plans targeting priority audiences;
• Coordination of campaigns and communications projects (including in local languages) on specific issues and priorities;
• Drafting and coordination of implementation of communication action plans for specific countries, including advising on content;
• Developing communication plans with the goal to communicate the EU policies, values and interests in Europe and the Western Balkans, as well as to communicate the Western Balkan region to the EU-based audiences;
• Provide strategic communication advice and contribute to the development of the EU narrative towards the Western Balkans region;
• Promote closer cooperation and synergies between the EEAS and the EU institutions in their efforts towards effective EU strategic communications in Europe and the Western Balkans;
• Assist in drafting internal briefings and other related tasks supporting the communication of the EU's policies and values in the Western Balkans region;
• Ensuring that relevant pages on the EEAS website and the Intranet contain accurate and up to date information, including impact stories, and serve their purpose as a channel for strategic communication;
• Support other functions of the EEAS Strategic Communications Directorate. 

Eligibility criteria[4]

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 for FG IV (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 completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;

• 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 solid knowledge about the current political and cultural context in the Western Balkans and the EU's policies and positions on the region, including working experience in the region or on issues related to the region;
• have experience in strategic communication, communication or public diplomacy (for instance media and information analysis, media relations, campaigning, content production, social media management, audio-visual content development, working with amplifiers, community management, other);
• have capacity to work and communicate under time constraints in a multilingual and international environment;
• have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement and rapid grasp of problems, as well as capacity to identify issues and solutions;
• have good knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the European Union and its enlargement and accession policies; 

• have the ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and communication in a complex, multicultural environment;

• have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS; 

• have the capacity to create constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations and EU Member States, and other like-minded partners;

• have strong service attitude;
• be a flexible team player. 

• A thorough knowledge in English (C1) is required.

Furthermore: 

• Experience of working in or on the Western Balkans, particularly in strategic communication or public diplomacy;
• Knowledge of one of the Western Balkans languages ;
• Experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment; 

and

• experience in working with or within other EU institutions 

would be considered strong assets.

Experience in strategic communication in the following contexts: UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Türkiye would be considered an additional asset. 

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, candidates shall fill in 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.

PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE (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^[5].

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”)[6] 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 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 CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@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 1(d)(4) of the Staff Regulations.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE[7]

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number), in English or French, and the attached declaration of potential conflict of interest via email, with reference to the Vacancy Number in the Subject field, to:

gii-global-strat-3-recruitment@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for sending application: 04/03/2026 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 selection panel will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and professional experience described in the CV and motivational letter, and will produce a shortlist of eligible candidates who best meet the selection criteria for the post. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be informed about the outcome of the pre-selection phase.

The candidates who have been preselected will be invited for an interview by a selection panel. 

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”). The AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

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 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.

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

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

[4]     All the eligibility criteria must be met on the closing date for applications to this post.

[5]    OJ C 263, 26 July 2023, p.16. 

[6]    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’.”

[7]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 Europa website: (https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eeas-privacy-statement-data-protection-notice-purpose-processing-personal-data-related-public_en) and on the EEAS Intranet:(https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-statements-dp-notices).