Presidency Policy Officer

The Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union, Brussels (PR Brussels) is seeking to recruit a number of professional individuals for the roles of Presidency Policy Officer, in the context of Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU (1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026). Applicants must be highly motivated, enthusiastic and hardworking with excellent communication, language, and interpersonal skills to fill a number of vacancies arising in September 2025, for a period of 18 months, to Q1 2027.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Preparing, participating in and reporting on Council Working Party meetings and Ministerial meetings;

• Logistical support for meetings and events;

• Liaison with EU institutional contacts;

• Assisting with the management and preparation of meetings;

• Drafting briefing;

• Attending and reporting on meetings and events;

• Liaising with attachés in the Permanent Representation and other Government officials; and

• Carrying out policy research and analysis, and any other relevant work, as required.

Temporary Presidency Policy Officers roles may develop knowledge and practical experience of:

• EU policy-making;

• The working methods and roles of the EU institutions, in particularly the Council of the EU;

• The EU legislative process;

• Irish Government policy priorities; and

• Irish Government policy coordination and development.

Essential Requirements:

• Graduate degree in a discipline of relevance to the role (e.g. Politics, Economics, Business, Media / Communications, International Relations or Law);

• Fluency in English;

• Minimum of two years relevant work experience;

• Ability to quickly gain knowledge of the Irish political, economic and commercial landscape;

• Effective communication and reporting skills (including understanding, summarising, reporting and conveying complex information);

• High degree of integrity and trust;

• Ability to work effectively as part of a highly motivated team;

• Strong analytical capacity;

• Good representational, networking and influencing skills;

• A high degree of commitment and flexibility, and an ability to adapt to a range of challenges;

• Administrative, planning and organisational skills;

• A strong interest in and knowledge of EU affairs, procedures and institutions;

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with good presentation skills.

• All applicants must have a permanent legal right to reside and work in Belgium.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Further language skills (especially in Irish and French) would be advantageous.

Terms and conditions of employment:

• The successful candidates will be hired on a fixed-term 18-month contract, commencing in September 2025 and ending in Q1 2027, and subject to the relevant provisions of Belgian tax and labour law.

• The salary for the position is €49,806.60 per annum, paid locally on a monthly basis. Salaries are paid direct to a bank account, therefore, the successful candidate must have a bank account.

• Annual Leave entitlement 20 days per annum.

• Location: Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, European Quarter, Brussels;

• There is no entitlement to civil service status;

• Current civil servants are not eligible to apply for this role unless already on a career break at the time of application;

• Hours of work consist of 38 hours per week, with standard office hours from Monday to Friday. Please note that, a considerable degree of flexibility will be required.

How to apply

The Job Description and Application Form for this position are available on our website https://www.ireland.ie/en/eu/brussels/about/perm-rep-recruitment/

Completed application forms should be sent via e-mail only to [email protected], with the subject line Presidency Policy Officers Competition.

Applications must be received before 16:30 hrs. (Local time) on Friday 4th April, 2025. (No applications will be accepted after this deadline).

Please note that only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Selection Process:

• Depending on the number of applications received, a short-listing of candidates to be called for a competency-based interview will be undertaken based on the essential / key requirements above.

• It is planned that interviews will be held before the end of May 2025.

• A second interview and/or skills test may be required as part of this recruitment.

• A panel will be formed from which any future vacancies may be filled.

Security Clearance for Local Staff

Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful, this information will be destroyed. If the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position, they will be required to supply this information again.

Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants. The Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.