EEAS Headquarters job No 375381

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 GLOBAL GI 3, embedded in the Directorate for "Global Issues" is a Division created in September 2021 with a broad mandate focusing on the Green Diplomacy/external dimension of the EU Green Deal, with global scope. It contributes to ensuring that the EU's foreign and security policy is equipped to tackle pressing global challenges related to green transition, including its geopolitical impact and relations with partners, in both bilateral and multilateral settings.  The Division is the focal point within the EEAS for Green Diplomacy, policymaking, guidance and information on the external dimension of the Green Deal notably on energy, climate, environment and international ocean governance agenda. Our overriding objective is to improve the integration of these aspects into the EU's relations with countries, regions and multilateral bodies worldwide, in close cooperation with EU Delegations. 

Aiming to ensure maximum coherence between internal and external policies and serving as a point of interface between the EEAS, Commission services and Member States, the Green Transition Division is a highly motivated team. It works closely with all geographic and relevant thematic and horizontal Divisions of the EEAS, EU Delegations, Commission services and Member States to pursue goals which are politically visible and in direct support of the headline goals of our political leadership.

WE PROPOSE

The position of Policy Officer for Green Diplomacy contract agent FGIV as 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:  1/3/2025

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

We are looking for a dynamic, proactive, team-oriented and highly motivated colleague with strong analytical and networking skills and solid experience in Green Deal related policies, notably in the climate, environmental and ocean related domains, preferably with external dimension.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Division, and within clusters dealing with climate change and environment/oceans issues, key responsibilities of the position include:

• Further promote and develop within the EEAS the green transition-related policies, initiatives and actions, and contribute to mainstreaming the Green Deal in EU relations with relevant third partners and regions;

   

• Follow up to and operationalize the Foreign Affairs Council’s Conclusions on Green Diplomacy;

• Provide analysis and advice with regard to the external dimension of the EU’s Green Deal and notably climate/environment and ocean-related policies and their geopolitical dimension, working in close cooperation with other EEAS departments, EU Delegations in third countries, European Commission and Member States in Team Europe spirit;

• Contribute to strengthening further EU's Green Diplomacy as part of the wider Green Deal, through dedicated initiatives promoting EU's Green transition internationally, both in bilateral and multilateral settings;

   

• Contribute to accompany relevant international negotiations on Green Transition related aspects in close cooperation with European Commission and Member States; including through outreach and dedicated initiatives;

• Contribute to diplomatic outreach with third countries and international organizations- seminars/webinars, political dialogues and other bilateral discussions with partners, policymakers’ roundtables, donor discussions; 

• Prepare policy papers, speeches, briefings on EU external dimension of the Green Deal for High Representative/Vice President, EEAS hierarchy, European Commission and other stakeholders. 

The final job description will take into account the profile and experience of the candidate.

 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://epso.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/open-for-application). 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 a solid experience of EU Green Deal related policies notably in the climate, environmental and ocean related domains, and good understanding of their external dimension; 

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

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

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

• have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;

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

• have the ability to communicate clearly on complex issues and the capacity to perform with accuracy and in a flexible manner a diversity of tasks in a complex institutional environment;

• have strong service attitude;

• be a flexible team player;

• be fluent in English;

• have solid analytical capability as well as drafting and reporting skills. Rapid grasp of problems and capacity to identify issues and solutions.

Furthermore:

• experience of working in multi-cultural environment
• experience in a Delegation or an Embassy
• operational knowledge of French

would be considered as assets

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)

This post is currently not identified as a post which requires Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”) to access EU classified information (EUCI) in accordance with point 7 of Annex A I of the Decision ADMIN(2023) 18 on the security rules of the EEAS[5] and as implemented by Decision ADMIN(2019) 7 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019 and its implementing decisions.

Nonetheless, candidates are informed that the list of posts requiring a PSC in the EEAS Headquarters is subject to regular review and that the current post might be identified in the future as a post which requires PSC. 

If required after the taking of duty, the selected candidate will need to be in a position to obtain a valid PSC issued by the competent authority of their Member State in accordance with national laws and regulations. 

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 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019.

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.

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[6]

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: 

GLOBAL-GI-3@eeas.europa.eu 

Deadline for sending application: 25/03/2025 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]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).