European External Action Service

04/08/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/08/2021 11:48

Contract Agent FG III – Job title: Budget & Finance Assistant- EEAS Headquarters job no. 339649

We are

The European External Action Service (EEAS), which supports the work of the High Representative in defining and implementing an effective and coherent foreign policy of the European Union. The EEAS supports him in his tasks of conducting the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU and of chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his capacity of Vice President of the Commission for a Stronger Europe in the World, responsible for co-ordinating other aspects of the external action of the European Union. The EEAS works in close cooperation with Member States, the Council and relevant services of the European Commission.

The Infrastructure and Safety Division is responsible for the definition and implementation of the real Estate policy of the EEAS, for Headquarters and in EU Delegations. It monitors and supports EU Delegations in managing real Estate projects; it is responsible for the management of the four buildings that host the EEAS in HQ; and it manages the corresponding budget lines, service contracts and procurement procedures.

In particular, the Budget, Finance and Contracts Section of the Infrastructure and Safety

Division is responsible for:

  • Preparing, monitoring and verifying the annual budget allocated to Delegations for paying rents, running costs of buildings, housing of staff, works, etc. (€150 M) and to the different budget lines managed by the Division: management of buildings in HQ, works, protocol and conferences, service contracts, etc. (€50 M), including mid-term budget revisions and reinforcements, and preparation of annual AOSD reports.
  • Analysing budgetary requests from Delegations and validating them in line with the policies and priorities of the Directorate.
  • Monitoring budgetary execution (commitments and payment credits) and ensuring proper accounting of the financial transactions.
  • Supervising the financial aspects of the framework contracts managed by the Division (Security, Safety…).
  • Preparing and launching tenders in order to provide services (both to HQ and to Delegations).
  • Financial initiation and verification of payments, and assisting the operational sectors on financial management.
  • Supervising the inventory of assets of the EEAS (in HQ and Delegations), which are part of the global accounts of the EEAS.
  • Managing the financial aspects of the Service Level Agreements with the Commission (OIB, SCIC and DG HR) and with the Council Secretariat.

We propose

A challenging position as Budget & Finance Assistant - contract agent FGIII as per article

3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS) in the Budget, Finance and Contracts Section of the Infrastructure and Safety Division, in charge of the planning, monitoring, reporting and follow-up of the budget lines under his/her responsibility and for the financial analysis of the operations that the Division is responsible for, both in HQ (e.g. under the Service Level Agreement with the OIB) or in Delegations (e.g. under the different framework contracts).

S/he will act as a financial initiating agent (FIA) and will participate in the management of the framework contracts managed by the Division. S/he will have to be proactively involved in the activities of the Division.

We look for

We look for a dynamic and motivated colleague with experience as a financial analyst and a sound understanding of the administrative, budgetary and financial procedures of the EU institutions, wishing to be part of a team dealing with one of the largest portfolios in terms of financial responsibility within the EEAS.

Legal basis

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS)1.

The successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group III); renewable contract for a maximum duration of 6 years (with a valid CAST exam).

Eligibility criteria:

Candidates for this contract agent III post should:

  • (i) have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid FG for this post or
  • (ii) be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in a valid FG for this post https://epso.europa.eu/apply/job-offers_en?keyword=&contract=37&grade=All&institution=101&location=All
  • have a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma or a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education and appropriate professional experience of three year;
  • 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 experience as financial analyst;

- have a sound understanding of the administrative, budgetary and financial procedures of the EU institutions;

- have a good command of MS Office, particularly of Excel;

- have the capacity to perform accurately and with a sense of detail different tasks in a complex institutional environment;

- have strong analytical skills and sound judgement;

- be able to communicate clearly;

- have a good command of English and French (orally and in writing);

- have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;

- be able to work and deliver under pressure and in a flexible manner; and

- be able to work autonomously and in a service-oriented fashion.

In addition,

- a background in economics or statistics;

- experience in managing the administrative budget of the EU;

- command of EU specialised IT tools (ABAC, ARES);

- experience in working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;

- experience in working in EU institutions or Delegations, or in a national diplomatic service;

will be considered as strong assets.

Specific conditions of employment

The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service. The successful candidate might be required to undergo security vetting if she or he does not hold already a Personal Security Clearance to an appropriate level, in accordance with relevant security provisions.

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 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.

Application and selection procedure2

Please send your CV and cover letter (with your EPSO CAST number) via email to [email protected]

Deadline for applications: 2/05/2021 at 22.00 (CET).

Candidates shall draft their CV following the European CV form 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 panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment. The Authority may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

Place of employment: EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium

Post available immediately

1 Staff Regulations of Officials (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). For reference, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20190101

2 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: (http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm) and on the EEAS Intranet: (https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-statements).