Desk Assistant (AST3)

This position involves a temporary engagement as an assistant (AST3) within a diplomatic service of the European Union. The organization carries out the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to promote peace, prosperity, and security across the globe. Its headquarters are in the capital of Belgium. The specific division is responsible for EU policy towards a sensitive geographical region and the peace process.

It coordinates internally, including with Member States and relevant Commission services and agencies; interacts with civil society and the European Parliament; and leads on institutional engagement with authorities in the region. The division faces an increasingly heavy workload in a politically sensitive geographical area, demanding tasks of various nature and pressing deadlines for a relatively small team.

What you will do. As an assistant, you will be entrusted with the following main tasks:

• Monitoring and analyzing developments in a specific region and the peace process, as well as related developments in the broader region and the international arena.
• Contributing to the definition, implementation, and communication of relevant EU policies in close coordination with Commission services and Member States.
• Drafting and contributing to briefings, statements, information for the general public, lines to take for the press, reports, and other documents.
• Ensuring effective coordination and liaison with other divisions of the organization, EU Delegations and Offices, Commission services, the Council, and the European Parliament.
• Assisting in the preparation of internal and external meetings and high-level visits.
• As required, taking on any additional tasks related to the work of the division.

What they ask

• Be a national of one of the EU Member States and enjoy full rights as a citizen.
• Meet any obligations imposed by laws concerning military service.
• Provide appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of duties.
• Have the capacity to work in CFSP languages in writing and orally.
• Post-secondary education attested by a diploma followed by at least 3 years of relevant professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties OR secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 6 years’ professional experience directly related to the nature of the duties.
• Experience in the field of external relations and concerning a specific region.
• Good understanding of external relations, internal policies, and the rules and procedures of the EU institutions.
• Experience and knowledge of CFSP and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
• Strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgment.
• A good sense of initiative and team spirit, and the capacity to perform with accuracy and in a flexible manner a diversity of tasks in a complex institutional environment.
• Experience of working in a team in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment would be considered an asset.
• Willingness to obtain a security clearance at the SECRET UE/EU SECRET level.