VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
The Office of the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina is seeking a highly qualified professional for the position of
Political Officer
Local Staff LC2025/03
Position available: Immediately
Interested candidates who fulfill the criteria must complete in English application (Europass CV format) and enclose a one (1) page motivation letter, and return it todelegation-bosnia-and-herzegovina-eusr-personnel@eeas.europa.euwith subject “
Application Ref. No LC2025/03
”The EUSR will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure by telephone. Please address any queries concerning this procedure or related to employment conditions and benefits todelegation-bosnia-and-herzegovina-eusr-personnel@eeas.europa.eu
Note: Short-listed candidates will be asked to take a written test.
Candidates who passed the written test will be invited for an interview.
Deadline for application:
Sunday, 12th October 2025 at 23:59 hrs (Brussels time).
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest.
Terms of Reference
Position Title: Political Officer
Position reference number: LC 2025/03
Staff category: Local Staff
Direct Supervisor: Head of Political Section
Duty Station: Sarajevo
Salary grade: LSG Grade II
The Officer will report to the
Head of Political Section
through the established supervisory structure of the office as delegated by the Head. The Officer will contribute to the work of the EUSR and his political mandate in BiH. The Officer will provide expert political analysis and advice and other related assistance to the EUSR and his staff members.The EUSR in BiH is double-hatted with the EU Head of Delegation and in accordance with the EUSR mandate to ‘
facilitate progress on political, economic and European standards priorities”, the
Political Officer
will act under the direction of the Head of Political Section and will work closely with the European External Action Service, European Commission services and other EU institutions as required by the EUSR.The EUSR
modus operandi and internal organisation may evolve in accordance with decisions of the Council of the European Union and in relation to the EUSR’s mandate in BiH. The duties and responsibilities outlined below are therefore typical but not exclusive and the EUSR reserves the right to reasonably amend the duties and responsibilities here within.
Typical Duties And Responsibilities
- Monitor, analyze and report on political developments. Prepare timely flash reports when required;
- Build and maintain a network of staff in the BiH institutions and political stakeholders;
- Provide early warning and identify areas of political concern, and if required advising on solutions and further action;
- Provide in depth analysis and action recommendations on issues, which have a specific interest for the EU. Coordinate these aspects with other EUSR/EUD staff, the EU institutions, the EU member states and other International Community representatives as required;
- Support the Political Adviser covering the State level executive and legislative and political priorities which are of importance for the European Union, and advise on principal engagement and political facilitation activities;
- Provide support to EUSR/EUD Political Advisors, covering executive and legislative authorities when needed;
- Act as a backup to the Political Adviser covering Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) executive and legislative institutions with a specific focus on issues related to European integration;
- Draft speeches, talking points, and action memos for the EUSR and his staff members;
- Participate in preparation and implementation of EUSR Outreach activities;
- Perform other tasks as required.
Professional Requirements/Qualifications
- Relevant university degree;
- At least four (4) years of professional experience, and a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in providing analysis and advice on political matters;
- Good knowledge of the European Union, the European Union institutions, and relevant policies;
- Good understanding of the political framework, the political institutions and the political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Competencies and Attributes
- Ability to take initiative and work in team setting with high sense of confidentiality and flexibility;
- Ability to operate independently;
- Experience in legislative and governance issues;
- Excellent analytical ability;
- Ability to operate within a fast moving environment and react appropriately to change;
- Good knowledge of the political environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Good knowledge of the order, interrelationships and working practices of the state-level and entity-level institutions;
- Excellent communication and reporting skills, and the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner;
- Excellent oral and written English;
- Fluent in the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- ICT skills commensurate with the scope of the post;
- Very good interpersonal skills to interact within multicultural environment.
General conditions
- Citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- The candidate will need to be certified medically fit for employment by a competent authority/person in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license “B” category and ability to drive EUSR official vehicles.
