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.1.DEL.Jordan.002: Cooperation AMMAN, Jordan |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 349049 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Contribute, under the authority of the EU Delegation to Jordan and supervision of the Manager of the EU Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian crisis, the ‘Madad Fund’ (EUTF) in Brussels, to the local management of the EUTF and its projects, in compliance with its articles of incorporation and the procedures established by the Board of the Fund. Provide monitoring, coordination, analysis and reporting on EUTF actions as well as other resilience and stabilisation efforts in Jordan. The jobholder will also contribute to tasks related to communication and visibility of EUTF funded programmes. In country, the jobholder, under supervision of the Head of Cooperation/Head of Section Operations 2, will work in close collaboration with the Trust Fund other programme managers in the Delegation. |
| CONTACT | Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to DELEGATION-JORDAN-VACANCY Please indicate your CAST Application ID in your application and mention the post number in subject line. Security Clearance is compulsory for all EU Staff in delegations and has to be requested by the selected candidate before departure. Please note that this post is financed under the Madad EU Trust Fund and is limited in time (no indefinite contract can be granted). The end date of the post is expected to be 30 November 2025 (one contract). No renewal will be possible on this post. |
| DEADLINE | 19 December 2023 |
| ENTITY | NEAR.R.5.DEL.Turkiye.006 – Finance, contracts and audit ANKARA, Türkiye |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Finance and Contracts Officer - Verification - [Chargé de mission dans la section Finances, contrats et audit] |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 87440 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the responsibility of the Head of Section ensure legality and regularity of all transactions in line with the Regulation, Commission procedures and prevailing instructions. In the context of decentralised management mode, the ex-ante checks of the quality, the legality, regularity and sound financial management of the tender procedures and contracts documents related to external assistance. Assisting to the Head of Section in coordinating the sector activities, including staff, when and where required, more specifically for Direct Management. Within the framework of the Staff Regulation, to carry out tasks linked to the job description as instructed by his/her superior(s). |
| CONTACT | Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to: DELEGATION-TURKIYE-CONTRACT-AGENTS-APPLICATIONS Please indicate your CAST Application ID in your application and mention the post number in subject line. Security Clearance is compulsory for all EU Staff in delegations and has to be requested by the selected candidate before departure. |
| DEADLINE | 21 December 2023 |
| ENTITY | NEAR.R.5.DEL.Turkiye.006, Finance, contracts and audit ANKARA, Türkiye |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG III |
| TITLE | Finance and Contracts Assistant - Initiation |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 255594 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the responsibility of the Head of Section ensure legality and regularity of all transactions in line with the Financial Regulation, Commission procedures and prevailing instructions. In the context of decentralised management mode, the ex-ante checks of the quality, the legality, regularity and sound financial management of the tender procedures and contracts documents related to external assistance. Within the framework of the Staff Regulation, to carry out tasks linked to the job description as instructed by his/her superior(s). |
| CONTACT | Alain [dot] JOARIS Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to: DELEGATION-TURKIYE-APPLICATION-FRIT-CA 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. Please note that this post is financed under the FRIT II Trust Fund and is limited in time (no indefinite contract can be granted). The initial contract will be for 2 years with a possible renewal for an additional 2 (or more) years subject to budget availability. |
| DEADLINE | 05 January 2024 |
| ENTITY | NEAR.D.3.DEL.Albania.003 – Operations section TIRANA, Albania |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer – Social and Economic Development |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 432134 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Ensure effective and efficient policy dialogue, programming and implementation of financial assistance in the area of the socio-economic reforms, ensuring maximum impact to support the EU membership preparation of the beneficiary countries, with a particular reference to reforms aimed at boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market, economic integration with the European Union’s Single Market and accelerating accession, improving economic growth and strengthening regional stability. Ensure fulfilment of sector/chapter reporting obligations based on communicated cross-sections responsibilities. |
| CONTACT |
hubert [dot] perr Please indicate your CAST Application ID in your application and mention the post number in subject line. Security Clearance is compulsory for all EU Staff in delegations and has to be requested by selected candidate before departure. |
| DEADLINE | 05 January 2024 |
Contract Agent Vacancies - Headquarters
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.B2 Regional Cooperation Neighbourhood South, Economic Investment Plan |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Manager - EU policies / Social and Political Development |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 337329 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Programme Manager in the Sector of Good Governance and Security, in charge of democracy, human rights, civil society, independent media and youth. |
| CONTACT | Ms Katarina DVORSKA Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-B2 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 08 December 2023 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.R4 Contracts and Finance Neighbourhood |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG III |
| TITLE | Finance and Contracts Assistant - Initiating Agent for Neighbourhood East (Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia) |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 171915 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Assist in the implementation and control of financial transactions and contractual aspects of programmes and projects, under the supervision of an official. |
| CONTACT | Bernard [dot] SAN-EMETERIO-CORDERO Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-R4 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 12 December 2023 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.R4 Contracts and Finance Neighbourhood |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG III |
| TITLE | Finance and Contracts Assistant - Initiating Agent for Neighbourhood East |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 78317 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Assist in the implementation and control of financial transactions and contractual aspects of programmes and projects, under the supervision of an official. |
| CONTACT | Bernard [dot] SAN-EMETERIO-CORDERO Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-R4 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 12 December 2023 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.C2 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus & Eastern Partnership Coordination |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | International Aid / Cooperation Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 249935 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | To support the implementation of reforms in the area of good governance, rule of law, democratisation and security in the Eastern Neighbourhood. In particular, design, formulate and ensure the implementation of regional, bilateral or thematic projects in the areas of good governance, rule of law, democratization and civil society. Contribute to the horizontal coordination and sectoral policy analysis related to the Eastern Partnership. |
| CONTACT | Mr. David CULLEN , Head of Unit 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 | 13 December 2023 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.B4 Türkiye |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer - Policy, Analysis, Advice and Statistics |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 239257 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of officials, management of EU Türkiye relations in the area of social policies (employment, social development and protection, youth, education) as well as financial services and trade related matters (competition, taxation, freedom of movement of workers and capital). |
| CONTACT | Katarzyna [dot] MARZEC Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to NEAR-B4 (Please indicate your CAST candidate number in your application and mention the post number in subject line). |
| DEADLINE | 13 December 2023 |
| ENTITY | DG.NEAR.A2 Thematic Support - Rule of Law, Governance and Security |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 375965 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Contribute to the work of the Rule of Law and Democracy Team by elaborating strategic guidance documents, providing thematic expertise on justice, home affairs issues and the functioning of democratic institutions. Support the accession negotiations, acting in particular as a back-up to the Chapter Desks 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security). Support design and implementation of policy and programmes in the related fields in the Neighbourhood and Enlargement countries. |
| CONTACT | Mr. Allan Jones (Head of Unit) 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 | 21 December 2023 |
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.