Job opportunities at the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR)
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is the single point of contact for all EU citizens who wish to work for the European Institutions.
Contract agents
There are two types of contract agents:
- contract agents on a contract of limited duration (up to a maximum of six years) work at Commission headquarters;
- contract agents on longer-term contracts can work in satellite offices, agencies and eventually in EU delegations.
To work in Commission (Headquarters and Delegations) candidates need to have successfully passed a full CAST competition.
For more information regarding "Who may apply ?" and the generic notice about vacancies, please visit the dedicated section.
Trainees
The European Commission has an official traineeship scheme mainly aimed at young university graduates. For further information, please consult the traineeship web pages.
Seconded national experts (SNE)
SNEs are typically seconded from the civil services of EU Member States. They are usually recruited via their Permanent Representations to the EU.
Please read carefully the eligibility criteria.
Temporary agents
In exceptional circumstances, NEAR may consider engaging temporary agents.
Contract Agent Vacancies - Delegations
| ENTITY | NEAR.B.3.DEL.Tunisia.004: Operations (2) TUNISIA, Tunis |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Officer - Secteurs sociaux, éducation, formation professionnelle, inclusion financière |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 259159 (Living-conditions allowance:15%) |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Sous la supervision du Chef de Section : Gérer la mise en oeuvre des projets et programmes de coopération financière et technique avec la Tunisie dans les domaines de la protection sociale, éducation, formation professionnelle et autonomisation financière des populations vulnérables; Assurer une bonne coordination avec les autorités publiques, les représentants du secteur privé tunisien et les autres bailleurs de fonds actifs dans les domaines de compétence; Contribuer aux analyses et rapports sur la politique de voisinage pour ce qui concerne les domaines d'expertise; Dans l'intérêt du service et à la demande de la hiérarchie, assurer le remplacement de collègues couvant d'autres domaines de responsabilités, en vue de garantir la continuité du service. |
| CONTACT | Marina [dot] MARCHETTI Please indicate your CAST Application ID in your application and mention the post number in the subject line. Security Clearance is compulsory for all EU Staff in delegations and has to be requested by the selected candidate before departure. |
| DEADLINE | 02/08/2024, 5 pm (Brussels time) |
Contract Agent Vacancies - Headquarters
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.B.2 Regional Cooperation Neighbourhood South, Economic Investment Plan |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Manager ‐ EU policies – Regional Programmes Neighbourhood South in the field of Economic development, including blending |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 409159 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | The contract agent IV position will, under the supervision of an official, contribute to programming, management, monitoring and evaluation of regional policies and programmes for an Economy that works for people (on issues such as social entrepreneurship and impact finance), including blending under the EFSD+. Work also covers policy analysis and dialogue on economic issues in the region in the context of the Union for the Mediterranean as well as contribution to EU policies and contacts with line DGs. |
| CONTACT | henrike [dot] trautmann (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 19 July 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.D.2 Montenegro, Serbia |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer - Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 449070 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official, to take forward the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans for Montenegro and Serbia, including through the coordination of policy dialogue and of monitoring and assessment of progress in the fulfilment of the qualitative and quantitative steps set out in the partner countries’ Reform Agendas, as well as coordination of the related decision making and financial workflows. To contribute towards the definition, promotion and implementation of EU policies concerning Montenegro, in particular related to the internal market |
| CONTACT | Cindy [dot] Van-Den-Boogert (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 29 July 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.A.2 Thematic Support - Rule of Law, Governance and Security |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 427278 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Contribute to the work of the Human Rights and Civil Society Team by elaborating strategic guidance documents, providing thematic expertise on civil society and selected human rights issues. Support design and implementation of policy and programmes in the field of civil society and human rights in the Neighbourhood and Enlargement countries. Coordinate the implementation in NEAR of the Thematic Programme on Civil Society under NDICI. Coordinate the NEAR share of the “Knowledge Hub for expertise on Gender equality, Disability and Human Rights Based Approach”. Act as a back¬up to other team members as necessary. |
| CONTACT | Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to Allan [dot] Jones (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 2 August 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.A.5 IFIs and Investments: Blended Finance and EU Guarantees |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Manager - Risk Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 450197 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Contribute with risk analysis, credit risk modelling and monitoring to the design and implementation of EU budgetary guarantees, in particular the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) guarantee, the External Lending Mandate (ELM), the External Action Guarantee (EAG) and the Ukraine Guarantee established under the Ukraine Facility regulation, as well as relevant financial instruments under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus. |
| CONTACT | Barbara [dot] BANKI Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-A5 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 2 August 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.C.2 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus & Eastern Partnership Coordination |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG II |
| TITLE | Administrative Assistant - to the Head of Unit, Deputy Head of Unit and the team |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 192512 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Provide administrative secretarial support and document management services to the Head of Unit, Deputy Head of Unit and the rest of the team. |
| CONTACT | %20David [dot] cullen Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-C2 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 2 August 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.C.2 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus & Eastern Partnership Coordination |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | International Aid / Cooperation Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 448214 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | To advise on and manage, under the supervision of the Head of Sector/Team leader, the implementation of bilateral assistance programmes and projects in areas falling under the responsibility of the Operations' sector managing the assistance to the people of Belarus and Russian civil society. To contribute to the programming, identification and formulation of new assistance programmes in the respective area of responsibility. To ensure close cooperation with relevant geo and regional Eastern Partnership coordinators from other teams of the same unit, other services, other DGs and the EEAS. To liaise with sector stakeholders in the respective area of responsibility. To support the Head of Sector/Team leader in coordinating operations and horizontal files. To ensure timely and good quality contributions to briefs, reports, replies to internal and external requests related to the assigned area of responsibility. |
| CONTACT | %20David [dot] cullen Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-C2 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 2 August 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.D.4 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer - European Integration - Economic and trade desk |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 423511 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official or a temporary agent, contribute to the definition, coordination and implementation of EU policies concerning Kosovo, with a particular focus on the economic criteria, strengthening Kosovo’s economic and trade development and alignment with the EU acquis and obligations under the SAA and Economic Reform Programmes. Contribute towards the definition, coordination and implementation of EU policies on Chapter 4 (free movement of capital) for all candidate countries and potential candidates, and across DG NEAR when necessary, in close cooperation with the relevant Commission services. Coordination, for NEAR D4, of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and contact point for digital transition under the Economic and Investment Plan. Responsibility for chapters 4 (free movement of capital), 9 (financial services), 16 (taxation), 17 (economic and monetary policy), 18 (statistics), 20 (enterprise and industrial policy), 29 (customs union), 30 (external relations) for Kosovo and back up for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for internal market. |
| CONTACT | Barbara [dot] JESUS-GIMENO Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-D4 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 2 August 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.D.4 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG III |
| TITLE | Policy Assistant - Rule of Law – Chapter 23 - Kosovo |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 339537 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official, contribute to the definition, coordination and implementation of EU policies concerning Kosovo, with a particular focus on rule of law, especially human rights and fundamental freedoms and judiciary (chapter 23 judiciary and fundamental rights) and alignment with the EU acquis and obligations under the SAA, and other chapters as required by the Head of Unit. Backup for Chapter 24 (home affairs) |
| CONTACT | Barbara [dot] JESUS-GIMENO Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-D4 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 2 August 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.A.3 Thematic Support – An economy that works for people, green, digital and connected |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG II |
| TITLE | Administrative Agent |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 448268 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Provide administrative secretarial support, document management services and human resources support to the Unit and to the Directorate as needed. |
| CONTACT | Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-A (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 3 September 2024 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.A.2 Thematic Support - Rule of Law, Governance and Security |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 375562 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official and the team leader, contribute to the work of the unit on security issues including organised crime, counter-terrorism and law enforcement cooperation (including EMPACT), and ensure coherence of anti-money laundering / anti-corruption / integrity policy linked to increased investments / assistance in the neighbourhood and enlargement countries. |
| CONTACT | Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to Allan [dot] Jones (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 9 September 2024 |
Please read our Privacy Statement (in French - English version will be available soon) to know how we collect, process, and protect your data.
- Candidates should be aware that they are only eligible for posts which have at least the same function group level as the function group level of the EPSO test they succeeded (e.g. holder of a FGIV CAST are eligible for CA FG IV, III and II) or the function group for which they have registered within the Commission call for expression of interest for contract staff in generalist profiles.
- Candidates who passed an EPSO test which is still valid. Please bear in mind that for EPSO CAST 27, EPSO CAST 2008 and EPSO CAST 2010, only DB3 candidates who also passed the test held in July 2011 are eligible. Candidates who passed CAST Croatia cannot apply for vacant contract agent posts in EU delegation as this CAST competition was not organised in full (DB2 only).
Who may apply?
- Candidates who have passed a full CAST competition or who have created a profile on the EPSO website and linked it with the respective Call for expressions of interest. However, before being recruited in the European Commission the candidates should have passed the CAST competition.
Please note:
- Posts in Headquarters are covered by 3b contracts. This means that a contract agent working in delegations and covered by 3a contracts selected for a post in Headquarters (outside the annual mobility exercise) will have to resign his/her 3a contract and conclude new 3b contract for maximum 6 years. First contract will be concluded for 1 year. Extension of 2 years will follow provided positive probation period report. Any subsequent extensions will be of 1 year up to a maximum of 6 years in total.
- The selection procedure is organised by NEAR Headquarters (unit to which the post is attached).
Who may apply?
- Contract agents who have served in the same job in the same delegation for at least 3 years or more.
- Contract agents whose request for early mobility on personal grounds outside the annual mobility exercise was accepted by Headquarters. Please note that contract agents included in the mobility exercise for duly substantiated personal reasons are automatically authorised to also apply for vacancies published outside the annual mobility exercise for the same reasons.
- Candidates who have passed a full CAST competition or who have created a profile on the EPSO website and linked it with the respective Call for expressions of interest. However, before being recruited in the European Commission the candidates should have passed the CAST competition.
Please note:
- The selection procedure is organised by each delegation concerned;
- After a pre-selection based on the CVs, the delegation will invite pre-selected candidates to participate in a phone interview panel and will request the recruitment of the selected candidate to NEAR Headquarters for validation.