EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE (EEAS)

Vacancy notice – Job title: Regional Security Adviser

Contract Agent FGIV

EU DELEGATION TO MALI, Job No 414956

WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the EU's diplomatic service. The 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 EU currently has 145 Delegations, 9 of which are to international organisations. In all, 6000 staff are currently serving in these Delegations. The 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 EEAS Field Security Division (EEAS SG.CRC.3) is part of the EEAS Crisis Response Centre (CRC). The CRC has a permanent crisis response capability and is the single entry point on all crisis related issues in the EEAS, bringing together diplomatic, security and intelligence capabilities, and ensuring a close interaction between Delegations, Missions and Operations on the ground when facing a consular or security crisis.

The EEAS SG.CRC.3 Division is a dynamic team, responsible for providing security advice and support to EU Delegations worldwide, enabling their work and assisting with the fulfilment of the legal duty of care obligation towards the EEAS staff and eligible dependents, assets and information.

The Division has three sectors: Operations, Resources & Logistics and Strategy. The Operations sector provides the link between HQ and field operations including the Regional Security Officer/Adviser (RSO/A) network. The Resources and Logistics Sector carries out oversight of the budget lines for Security services contracts worldwide (security static guarding and close protection), coordinates on all security contract tenders, manages the procurement and maintenance of armoured vehicles, personal protective equipment, radio-communications networks, the Division's human resources (including RSO/A network recruitment and rotation), and is involved in all security related financial, budgetary, legal and audit matters. The Strategy Sector is responsible for the drafting of policies, training of Security Management Teams, security e-learning tools, training of RSO/As, Service Level Arrangements and the content of Hostile Environment Awareness Training courses.

WE PROPOSE

The position of Regional Security Adviser (RSA), contract agent FGIV as per article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”).

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

City, COUNTRY:                             Bamako, MALI

LCA:                                                  40%

POST AVAILABLE:                         01/10/2025

LEGAL BASIS

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions foreseen in the relevant provisions of the CEOS^[1], in particular Article 82 thereof. 

Subject to having passed the CAST^[2] exam, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function Group IV), as per Article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS), on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of 3 years. This contract may be renewed not more than once for a fixed period of not more than 5 years. Any further renewal shall be for an indefinite period.^[3]

WE LOOK FOR

The RSA, under the direct operational control of the EEAS Field Security Division (FSD) and shared administrative control between the Head of Delegation and FSD, will undertake the following activities:

Risk Analysis

• To advise the EEAS Field Security Division and other divisions concerned in HQ, on the threat situation in the countries concerned as well as on appropriate security measures, after having duly collected information and assessed the threats and analysed the risks affecting Delegation’s security assets.

• To prepare and regularly update local threat assessments and security risk assessments, as well as processes risk assessments of the Travel Clearance Applications for the Delegations / Countries designated under the hub. 

• To carry out surveys and assessments to produce regular risk and vulnerability assessments of the Delegation's existing, and where relevant future, premises and accommodations. 

• To recommend the necessary mitigating measures for compliance with the EEAS Delegations' Security Guidelines, including 'Protection Principles, Guidelines and Standards'. 

• To oversee the execution of security measures and keep updated the Delegation Security Action Plan.

   

Analysis and Advice

• To provide support to the EEAS HQ in the area of buildings security management and works (development, implementation and reception), for those matters not requiring specialist training or knowledge. Promoting compliance with the standards and criteria, supervising certain works, testing the functioning of completed works against methodologies and checklists established by the EEAS HQ.

• To provide support to the EEAS HQ in the area of safety activities not requiring specialist training or knowledge, e.g. checks on the availability and functioning of fire equipment, smoke detectors, medical kits, etc. 

• To provide reports and advice to the SMT, supports and assists the HoA on the status / functioning of certain security installations and safety equipment provided by the EEAS HQ, e.g. scanners.

• To provide security advice to facilitate the Delegation's accreditation (including Secured Areas), and relay all relevant information from the Delegation to the EEAS HQ.

• To support the EEAS HQ in EU Classified Information (EUCI) protection. 

• In the case of necessity, to assist the SMT and the EEAS HQ in advising / coordinating on medical emergency incidents, including medical evacuations or repatriations. 

• To perform security briefings to mission performers before travelling to areas where a Travel Clearance Application is requested. 

• To provide advice and support to the staff of EU Institutions and Agencies and other bodies covered by Service Level Arrangements on missions to the Delegations / Countries designated under the hub. 

Safety, Security and Crisis Management

• To contribute to security designs; supervise the implementation of procedures and / or security works; and the functioning of equipment - for the security of the Delegation's assets. 

• To supervise operating procedures when armored vehicles, close protection teams or/and armed static guards are deployed. 

• To assist with the installation, maintenance and utilisation of radio-communication systems, as appropriate ensuring radio-communication training, and other security equipment, e.g. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Sat phones, etc. assists in developing, implementing, maintaining and supervising radio-communication monitoring systems and ensures that radio checks are routinely conducted and also regarding the correct use of PPE, etc. 

• To prepare and monitor the implementation of security procedures and contingency planning ensuring that all plans are workable, updated, known by staff and exercised. To assists and facilitate the implementation of all necessary security measures following instructions and in coordination with the SMT. 

• To assist to security related tendering procedures, this role can include benchmarking, preliminary market analysis, (exceptionally contacts with security providers), development of technical specifications, be a member of the evaluation committees in the assessment of the technical offers, and carry out controls of reasonability upon services rendered, e.g. controls over timesheets and 'Key Performance Indicators' (KPI). 

Communication and Reporting

• To report periodically and upon request to EEAS Field Security Division and the Delegation's SMT on matters relating to security using standard and ad-hoc reports. 

• To participate to the establishment of briefings and contribute to certain of the Delegation's other periodic and ad-hoc reports, for the security components. 

• To ensure the completeness and timeliness of the Delegation's contingency plans, uploads security data in IT systems and informs EEAS Field Security Division and the SMT accordingly. 

• To coordinate with EEAS Field Security Division and the SMT on the follow-up to inspections, audits, controls and other reports where there is a security component. 

• Report to EEAS Field Security Division of all incidents involving Delegation staff or assets, assisted by the SMT members for those countries where RSO/A is not resident or when absent. 

• To assists the SMT in following up all security incidents involving EU staff and assets; provide reports to the EEAS HQ as appropriate; assist in the execution of security contracts being in regular contact with the security contractor and assumes an important role in the monitoring and reporting of performance, inter alia using KPIs. 

• To report on non-compliance with security rules to the SMT and EEAS Field Security Division, as appropriate. 

Training

• To actively promote security awareness through updates, alerts, warnings, briefings, awareness campaigns, trainings and exercises depending on the security situation on the ground, local threat assessment and instructions given by the EEAS Field Security Division. 

• To promote and check compliance with established security rules and specific instructions and recommendations. 

• To recommend and support the organisation of local security trainings including where necessary local HEAT courses. 

• To collaborate with the EEAS Consular Affairs Division for its training exercises and the provision of security advice. 

• When requested, mentoring and or support other RSO/A colleagues.

Eligibility criteria^[4]

According to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS and in Article 2 of the Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 final^[5], which is applicable to the EEAS by virtue of the Decision ADMIN(2018) 4 of the High Representative^[6], in order to be eligible for this post of contract agent FG IV, candidates must:

• have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV; or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST for FG IV (https://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application). In the latter 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 his/her successfully passing the CAST exam;

• meet the minimum qualifications for engagement as contract agent FG IV:

(i) have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma, or

(ii) where justified in the interest of the service, professional training 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 and external relations (English and French) necessary for the performance of their duties;

• be a national of one of the Member States of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen.

   

Selection criteria

Candidates should: 

• have gained at least 5 years' full time relevant professional management experience in the area of Security and/or Defense, particularly in diplomatic protection or equivalent field (e.g., police, gendarmerie, military, or equivalent).

• have strong knowledge of Security Operations Management, Risk Management, Crisis Management, and Business Continuity Management;

• have good drafting, communication and analytical skills;

• have problem solving and organisational skills; 

• have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the European Union; 

• have experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment; 

• be physically fit for purpose and able to perform long-term missions to countries under critical threat levels,

• have the ability to work under periods of stress e.g. responding to a range of security incidents and security crises including evacuations.

Furthermore: 

• relevant certifications, trainings and/or formal university education related to the management of Security and/or Defense activities will be considered strong assets.
• awareness of the security threats present in the region (such as armed conflicts, terrorism, organised crime, civil unrest, political violence, hazards, travel safety, and espionage), as well as familiarity with the main actors involved, will be considered strong assets.

Working languages

• Capacity to work in languages of the CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties (EN and FR);

• the capacity to work in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and/or Russian will be considered strong assets.

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. 

RSO/RSAs in Delegations are usually posted for 4 years. Call for expressions of 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.

RSO/RSAs assigned to a non-family post or a post under evacuation level three may participate in the mobility exercise after 2 years.

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 granted by the Head of the Division RM.BHR.3 ‘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 to the SR. The member of contract staff temporarily assigned to the EEAS 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 4 years.

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 Employment (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), that the successful candidates will indeed be able to complete the relevant full posting for the post for which they were selected. 

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND SECURITY RISKS

As a matter of policy, applications of individuals who have the dual nationality of the host country or whose family member has the nationality of the host country will be considered eligible for a posting in that host country only following the positive result of a case-by-case assessment. In that regard, the EEAS examines if there could be a conflict of interest and a risk of a possible refusal by the host country to grant diplomatic immunity to the staff member and or his/her partner and/or family, as well as possible security risks.

In this context, candidates shall fill in with their application a declaration of potential conflict of interest (see the annex to this vacancy notice).

PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE

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^[7].

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (PSC)^[8] 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(2019) 7 of the Director General for Budget and Administration of the EEAS on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS^[9] 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 3(3) of the Decision ADMIN(2019) 7.

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. 

OTHER

Candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the provisions of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, which applies to staff serving in Delegations located outside the EU, regarding their rights and obligations (i.e. leave entitlements, allowances, reimbursement of expenses, social security benefits).

Candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the local living conditions, including inter alia information concerning security, health care, education, social acceptance of sexual orientation, employment opportunities for spouses and the accommodation provided (Annex X to the SR, Article 5 or 23), before applying. Candidates are strongly encouraged to consult the relevant Country Post reports which are available from the Division RM.01 ‘Coordination’: 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, 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 SR.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE^[10]

The procedure will take place in three steps: 

1. Application

Before submitting their application, candidates should carefully check whether they meet all the eligibility criteria 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 the Division RM.01 ‘Coordination’: RM-01-COORDINATION@eeas.europa.eu

Candidates should also ensure that they are fully aware of the relevant security provisions; Personal Security Clearance at the level SECRET UE/EU SECRET is 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 (for more information, see Section “Personal Security Clearance” below).

During the application procedure, candidates are required to send the following documents:

1. an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (preferably using the Europass CV format), in either English or French, indicating clearly your EPSO CAST number;

   1. a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages), in either English or French;

   2. a declaration of potential conflict of interest (download the Conflict of Interest form).

Applications should be submitted to the following email address:

FIELD-SECURITY-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu

Deadline for applications is 04/04/2025: 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 will make a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation 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.

3. Selection

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

The selection panel may decide, in addition to the interview(s), 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 recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by 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, 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 an equivalent post in the EEAS having the same job profile.

ADDRESS FOR INQUIRIES 

CONTRACTAGENTS-DELEGATIONS@eeas.europa.eu

ANNEX

DECLARATION OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST

TO BE FILLED BY THE CANDIDATE 

Article 11(3) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union (SR):

“Before recruiting an official, the Appointing Authority shall examine whether the candidate has any personal interest such as to impair his independence or any other conflict of interest. To that end, the candidate, using a specific form, shall inform the appointing authority of any actual or potential conflict of interest. In such cases, the Appointing Authority shall take this into account in a duly reasoned opinion. If necessary, the Appointing Authority shall take measures referred to in Article 11a(2)”.

Article 11a(2) of the SR:

“Any official to whom it falls, in the performance of his duties, to deal with a matter referred to above shall immediately inform the Appointing Authority. The Appointing Authority shall take any appropriate measure, and may in particular relieve the official from responsibility in this matter”.

These provisions apply to temporary agents and contract agents in accordance with Articles 11 and 81 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS).

It is the candidates’ duty to inform through this form the EEAS of any actual or potential conflict of interest regarding their future tasks. They shall be broad in their identification of actual or potential conflict of interests. It is reminded that it will be up to the administration, and not to the candidates themselves, to assess on this basis whether they are sources of conflict of interests and, if applicable, whether they constitute an issue for the recruitment and, if not, whether they should call for adequate mitigating measures to protect both the interests of the institution and of the selected candidate.

Title/FIRST NAME/NAME: ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Job No. and position applied for: …………………………………………..………………………………………………………

Administrative status of position concerned:     

                                Official ☐         Temporary agent ☐         Contract agent ☐

Grade of the position: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Directorate/Division/Delegation: …………………………………………………………………………………………………..

In your opinion, do you have any personal interest, in particular a family or financial interest, or do you represent any other interests of third parties which could actually or potentially impair your independence in the course of your duties in the specific vacancy at the EEAS and which may thus lead to any actual or potential conflict of interest relevant to that position?

YES ☐ NO ☐

If yes, please detail:

To be returned with the application, by emailFIELD-SECURITY-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu

[1]    The text of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the EU and the CEOS is accessible at the following link: 

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20190101

[2]    Contract Agent Selection Tool.

[3]    In accordance with Article 85(1) of the CEOS.

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

[5]     Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 final of 16 October 2017 on the general provisions for implementing Article 79(2) of the CEOS, governing the conditions of employment of contract staff employed by the Commission under the terms of Articles 3a and 3b.

[6]     Decision ADMIN(2018) 4 of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 12 March 2018 amending Annex I of the Decision of the High Representative PROC HR(2011) 013 on General Implementing Provisions for giving effect to the Staff Regulations and to the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants.

[7]    OJ C 263, 26 July 2023, p.16. 

[8]    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’.”

[9]    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 EEAS.

[10]    Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, as implemented by the Decision ADMIN(2019) 8 of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on implementing rules relating to the protection of personal data by the EEAS and the application of Regulation. 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).