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 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 European Peace Facility Division (PCM.4) is a division within the EEAS Directorate for Peace, Partnerships and Crisis Management (PCM) created in 2021, which ensures the overall management of the European Peace Facility (EPF) – an EU external action instrument for the financing of CFSP needs of a military and defence nature. The Division is responsible for the planning/programming, identification, operational management and monitoring of assistance measures in third countries, as well as for the preparation and negotiation of relevant Council decisions, among others. The Division works closely with relevant EEAS, Commission and Council Services.

WE PROPOSE

The position of Policy Officer– Programme Manager, contract agent FGIV as per article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”).

PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT

‎EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available: 16 January 2026.

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, subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types.

WE LOOK FOR

A highly motivated and experienced programme manager, who, under the authority of the Head of Division, will perform the following tasks/functions:

Ensure close coordination with Member States, relevant EU Services and other stakeholders to facilitate EPF support;
Conduct identification of potential EPF assistance measures, including by participating in field missions to insecure areas;
Draft and negotiate HR proposals, HR recommendations, Council Decisions and Concept Notes related to proposed assistance measures;
Assess proposals from MS and requests from potential beneficiaries for assistance measures to be funded under the EPF and ensure coordination with other stakeholders;
Facilitate swift implementation of EPF assistance measures and work closely with the European Commission and implementing actors to this effect;
Draft briefs, lines to take, press releases and contribute to policy papers on EPF assistance;
Represent the division in internal and external meetings, including in the Council.

Eligibility criteria

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. 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 four years of relevant professional experience, ideally in a multinational setting;
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 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;
a good technical understanding of military needs and equipment specifications;
have the capacity to work in languages of the CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties. In particular, excellent drafting and oral communication skills in English;
be a flexible team player.

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 (see attached).

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.

The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”) 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 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019 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 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the EEAS of 08 March 2019.

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 [email protected] 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

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:

[email protected]

copy to [email protected]

Selection and profile-related questions may be addressed to:

DLOUCHY-SULIGA Dorota, Head of Division EEAS MD-PSD.PCM.4

Email: [email protected]

Deadline for sending application: 03/02/2026 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.