Policy officer

A European diplomatic service carries out the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to promote peace, prosperity, security, and the interests of the Union across the globe. It brings together European civil servants, diplomats from Union Member States, national experts and local staff worldwide.

The service supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to steer the CFSP, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), to represent the Union on issues relating to the CFSP and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council. Its Headquarters are responsible for the management of a network of 145 Union Delegations and Offices worldwide. These Diplomatic Representations play a vital role in representing the Union, promoting its values and interests, and building networks and partnerships.

They are responsible for all policy areas of the relationship between the Union and the host country/organization. Within the service, the Policy Coordination Division plays a central role to support the High Representative, the Secretary General and senior management in achieving policy priorities.

Through a joined-up approach to inter-institutional coordination, the Division contributes to the effective and efficient conduct of policy and decision-making processes within the service and with regard to the work of the Council and Commission. As part of the Policy Coordination Division, the Commission team coordinates relations with the European Commission, including through various coordination groups.

It works closely with the High Representative's Cabinet, all internal departments and the Commission services. The Sector is also in charge of internal and inter-institutional procedures as well as various internal guidelines, statements and alignments of certain third countries with CFSP and general instructions to Union Delegations.

What you will do. The successful candidate will join the Commission team of the Policy Coordination Division and will contribute to the coordination of relations between the European diplomatic service and the European Commission, as well as to internal and inter-institutional coordination. The main tasks will include:

• Preparations and support for the implementation of the Commission Work Programme and other Commission initiatives, in particular their external dimension, as well as the State of the Union address
• Support the preparation and follow-up of various coordination meetings, including coordination with relevant internal departments, preparation of briefings and reports, and participation in preparatory meetings
• Coordination of external coordination for the geographical areas covered by the post, including coordination with the relevant services of the organization and contribution to the preparation of briefings and reporting
• Contribution to the reporting on external action, such as the Annual Management Plan, and Annual Activity Report as well as the Annual Progress Report on Simplification, Implementation and Enforcement, including the coordination and consolidation of relevant inputs from the organization's services
• Support for the coordination and follow-up to the Commissioners’ Project Group on External Action
• Contribution to other coordination and inter-institutional tasks within the Commission team and to horizontal tasks within the Policy Coordination Division (e.g. clearance of draft documents, coordination of briefings for meetings with Union Member State representatives) where necessary

What they ask

• Have passed a valid EPSO CAST in FG IV, or be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST for FG IV
• 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