Policy Officer, Security and Defence Partnerships

WE ARE The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic service. Since 2011, the EEAS carries out the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of the EU across the globe. It brings together European civil servants, diplomats from EU Member States, national experts and local staff worldwide. The EEAS supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to steer the Union’s CFSP, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), to represent the EU on issues relating to the CFSP and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports her as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to her responsibilities within the Commission, 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 Headquarters are in Brussels. It is also responsible for the management of the network of 145 Union Delegations and Offices worldwide. These Diplomatic Representations play a vital role in representing the EU in the country where they are based, in promoting the values and interests of the EU, and in building networks and partnerships. They are responsible for all policy areas of the relationship between the EU and the host country/organisation. The Peace, Security and Defence Partnerships Division (MD-PSD.PCM.2) is in charge of developing EU peace, security and defence cooperation with third states, international and regional organisations, such as the UN and NATO, as well as supporting EU conflict prevention and peace mediation. It works in close cooperation with other services within the EEAS, with EU Delegations, with the European Commission and the Council, with EU Member States, International Organisations, Third States as well as NGOs and think tanks. WE PROPOSE The position of Policy Officer contract agent FGIV as per Article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (hereafter, the “CEOS”). The Policy officer will be responsible for the security and defence cooperation with the partners in the Indo- Pacific region, as well as for the horizontal issues pertaining to EU partnerships in peace, security and defence. Subject to having passed the CAST exam, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV), as per Article 3b of the CEOS, on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of one year. This contract 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. PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT ‎EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium Post available: 01/07/2026 LEGAL BASIS FOR RECRUITMENT TO THIS POSITION The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof. WE LOOK FOR Policy Officer to promote EU’s bilateral relations in security and defence with partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region; as well as to work on horizontal issues pertaining to EU partnerships in peace, security and defence. The Policy Officer will join the Security and Defence Partnerships Team, which is a sector in PCM.2. A dynamic, flexible and proactive colleague with good communication and organisational skills with a developed sense of service. He/she will be entrusted with the following main tasks: • Contribute to the development, management, monitoring and implementation of EU’s peace, security and defence relations with partners in the Asia-Pacific region. • Prepare bilateral dialogues, workshops consultations and negotiations with international and regional organisations and non-EU partner countries, as well as contribution to the preparation of relevant meetings of the Council and its preparatory working parties, as appropriate. • Provide advice and analysis on political/security/defence developments in partner countries within his/her mandate and contribute to the definition of strategic objectives. • Follow up policy proposals through the inter-institutional decision-making process, including adoption by the Commission and High Representative, European Parliament and / or Council of the European Union. • Assist in the representation of the EU, participate in ministerial and high level and working meetings with partner countries, as well as in other relevant engagements. • Develop and maintain good relations with representatives of the partner countries. • Respond to inter-service consultations to secure coherence with the EU's partnership policy on partner countries. • Draft of briefing and policy documents, strategic analysis, options and Food for thought papers, correspondence with key partners and all similar work related to peace, security and defence, within the area of responsibility; handle and draft replies to oral and / or written questions from Members of the European Parliament, letters and questions from third parties. • Assist the Head of Sector for Security and Defence Partnerships with regard to horizontal issues pertaining to EU partnerships in peace, security and defence. • Conduct outreach activities on EU peace, security and defence actions, organise and contribute as speaker in public diplomacy events such as seminars, conferences and training activities. • Prepare and assist in negotiations of Framework Participation Agreements, Security and Defence Partnerships or other binding/non-binding documents in the geographical area of competence and support the negotiation of Partnership priorities in the field of security and defence. • Contribute to the planning, organisation and conduct of the annual Schuman Security and Defence Forum as necessary. • Contribute to other tasks and follow other areas and regions within the remit of the Division as necessary, in the interest of the service. Eligibility criteria In addition to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS and in the Commission Decision C(2017) 6760 final, which is applicable to the EEAS by virtue of the Decision ADMIN(2018) 4 of the High Representative, candidates must: • have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV, or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST for FG IV (https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/contract-staff-selection-procedures-always-open-registration). 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: • the ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation and communication in a complex, multicultural environment; • the capacity to create constructive working relations with national authorities, civil society, international organisations and EU Member States; • strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement; • knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union; • excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS; • 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; • strong service attitude; • be a flexible team player; • knowledge of the EU external policies and instruments, notably in the area of the CFSP and CSDP and experience in the engagement with the Asia- Pacific partners (minimum of three years’ experience of work in this field). Furthermore: • experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment; • experience in working with or within other EU institutions; • experience in international negotiations; will be considered as strong assets. 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, all candidates shall fill 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, unless the successful candidate is a temporary agent currently employed in the EEAS. PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE (hereafter, “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(2025) 42 on Implementing Rules and Procedures for Personnel Security measures for protection of EU Classified Information of 20 November 2025 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 7 of the Decision ADMIN(2025) 42 on Implementing Rules and Procedures for Personnel Security measures for protection of EU Classified Information of 20 November 2025. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The EEAS strives to be a dynamic, respectful and inclusive Service. We value the talent and professional excellence of our staff, and are committed to building an organisation where gender equality and the respect of diversity are core values, as set out in the EEAS Mission Statement and the EEAS Agenda for Diversity and Inclusion. The EEAS is committed to achieving gender balance within its workforce and strives to avoid any form of discrimination during this selection procedure, as per Article 1(d) of the SR. We actively welcome applications from all qualified candidates without any discrimination based on any ground. We commit to recruit candidates with the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, carrying out a selection based on merits required for the post and from the broadest possible geographical basis among the EU Member States. The EEAS is committed to working with people with disabilities in the terms of the SR. If, by virtue of your medical condition or special needs, you require reasonable accommodation for a part or the entirety of this selection process, please send us an email to CONTRACTAGENTS-HQ@eeas.europa.eu. Your request will be treated in strict confidence and no record will be kept. If a candidate with a disability is selected for a vacant post, the EEAS is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Article 1(d)(4) of the SR. All selected candidates are expected to adhere to the Principles of Professional Behaviour of the EEAS, which outline the need for integrity, transparency, respect, professionalism and accountability, and a zero tolerance approach to any form of harassment. 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: MD-PSD-PCM-2@eeas.europa.eu Deadline for sending application: 07/08/2026at 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 pre-selection will be done by a panel on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter. The preselected candidates who best meet the selection criteria will be invited for an interview, so that the selection panel can evaluate them objectively and impartially on the basis of their qualifications, professional experience and linguistic skills, as listed in the present vacancy notice. 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 in [description excerpt truncated]