We are:

The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent EU foreign policy. The EEAS supports her tasks of conducting the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and chairing 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 Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.

Within the EEAS' mission to promote the EU's role as a global actor, the Parliamentary Affairs Division (SG.AFFGEN.2) offers professional support, analysis and advice to the HRVP and the EEAS management on all institutional or policy-issues concerning the relations between the EEAS and the European Parliament. The Team reaches out towards EP administration and Members, works closely with the Cabinet of the HR/VP and senior members of the EEAS management, attends and reports on all EP meetings of relevance to the EEAS – both in Brussels and Strasbourg, ensures smooth inter-institutional coordination and information flow and manages and coordinates parliamentary questions as well as EEAS replies to Petitions.

Further to EP-related issues, the Division is also responsible for other inter-institutional relations, i. a. with National Parliaments, the European Ombudsman, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, coordinating the EEAS response to formal and informal queries from these institutions and bodies.

In addition, the Division also represents the EEAS in the weekly coordination meeting ("pre-GRI") ahead of the "GRI" (Group of inter-institutional relations) organized by the Commission as well as in the meetings of the Council's Working Party on General Affairs (GAG).

Finally, the Division is also responsible for handling Access to Documents and Information to citizen requests within the EEAS.

We propose:

The position of a Contract Agent FG IV responsible for the management of specific files and aspects of the EEAS’s relationship with the European Parliament. His/her main task will be, under the supervision of the Head of Division, to provide professional support and political advice on parliamentary and inter-institutional affairs.

S/he will support and guide the policy units of the EEAS on their relations with the Parliament, draft and co-ordinate briefings for the HR/VP’s and Senior Management meetings and debates in Parliament and report on parliamentary activities.

Specific tasks are:

• EP Plenary meetings including briefings coordination
• EP Sub-Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE)
• Follow-up of EP Delegations to Third Countries
• Follow-up of other EP Committees (covering the external dimension of internal policies)
• Relations with MD CSDPCR and EUMS in EEAS
• Inter-Parliamentary Conference (IPC) on CFSP/CSDP
• Visits of Heads of CSDP Missions and Operations
• Joint Coordination Meetings (JCM)

A reallocation of tasks might occur according to the needs of the service.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Candidates for this contract agent IV post should:

• - (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV ; or
• - (ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in FG IV  https://epso.europa.eu/apply/job-offers_en?keyword=&contract=37&grade=All&institution=101&location=All
• Have completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma;
• Have the capacity to work in languages of CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties. Knowledge of other EU languages would be an asset.
• 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 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 knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;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;
• Be fluent in English (both orally and in writing), and have good knowledge of French;
• Have experience and knowledge of CFSP and CSDP-related issues;
• Have knowledge and/or proven experience in parliamentary affairs or at least good knowledge of the EP's role in the area of external policies of the EU, including CFSP and CSDP.

Furthermore: 

• Experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• Experience in working with or within other EU institutions.

would be considered as strong assets.

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT

Brussels, Belgium

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

The successful candidates will be required to undergo security vetting if they do not already hold security clearance to an appropriate level (EU SECRET), in accordance with the relevant security provisions.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Contract agent position (Function group IV); renewable contract for a maximum duration of 6 years (with a valid CAST exam).

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

Deadline for sending applications: Please send your CV and motivation letter (with your EPSO CAST number) to: zdravka.dimitrova@eeas.europa.eu by 12 December 2019.

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.

The candidates who have been preselected will be invited for an interview by a selection panel. The panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Empowered to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.