Deadline for sending application: 11/08/2025 at 12.00 noon (CET).
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 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 Security Officer (Security Desk) contract agent FGIVas 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:
01/09/2025
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
The Security Officer (Security Desk) will undertake the following activities:
- To be the primary liaison on field security topics between the Field Security Division at the EEAS HQ and the Regional Security Advisors and Officers (RSA/O) deployed in the EU Delegations within the geographical area of responsibility.
- To maintain an oversight of all security related issues and security measures in the assigned geographical area.
- To monitor and supervise the application of the EEAS Security Risk Management methodology by the RSA/O’s, and provide support where necessary.
- To ensure coherence and consistency with the EEAS security rules and with implementing provisions.
- To keep a constantly updated overview of RSA/O (floaters and field based) deployments and movements, to ensure business continuity and that all information is up to date at any point.
- To review the analysis and assessment of the level of existing threats to persons, buildings, documents, etc. performed by the RSA/O’s and to give advice on measures to be taken to enhance security measures.
- To assess, endorse and follow up on RSA/O Reports.
- To review and/or draft Mission Security Advice reports for providing security guidance and support to mission performers from EEAS HQ and other EU Institutions and Agencies.
- To respond to briefing requests from hierarchy concerning security related issues and security measures.
- To participate in meetings pertinent to security matters in the geographical area of responsibility.
- To liaise and cooperate with other Institutions and/or stakeholders in the framework of security matters in the geographical area of responsibility.
- To assist the hierarchy in responses to crisis situations.
- To conduct field visits to assess the pertinence of EEAS security risk management strategy and to assess the security set up of the EU Delegations.
- To contribute to the tender procedures for security services contracts and security equipment.
- To contribute to the responses to and follow-up of Inspection reports, in particular to identify cross-cutting issues and to propose a remedying measure.
- To contribute to different trainings and/or seminars to speak about field security matters.
- To deliver security training/awareness briefings and drafting of ad hoc reports as requested by the hierarchy.
- To contribute to the development and maintenance of the training needs of the RSA/O network.
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 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 experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
- be physically fit for purpose and able to perform 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;
- awareness of the security threats affecting EU interests and assets in the world (such as armed conflicts, terrorism, organized crime, civil unrest, political violence, hazards, travel safety, and espionage), as well as familiarity with the main actors involved,;
- the capacity to work in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or Russian will be considered a strong asset.
will be considered as strong assets.
CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT
CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND SECURITY RISKSAs 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 CLEARANCEThe 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[5].The selected candidate should hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance (hereafter, the “PSC”)[6] 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 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
[7]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: FIELD-SECURITY-RECRUITMENT@eeas.europa.eu
Deadline for sending application:
11/08/2025
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] 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’.”[7] 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).
