Job Specifications
PRINT
Vacancy notice – Job title: Policy Officer Southern Africa and Indian Ocean - HQ Contract Agent FGIV - EEAS Headquarters job No 366599
23.12.2025 New opportunity
Teaser
Deadline for sending application: 14/01/2026 cob.
Text
WE ARE
The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in the exercise of her mandate to conduct and implement an effective and coherent Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), to represent the EU and to chair the Foreign Affairs Council.
It also supports the High Representative in her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to her responsibilities within the Commission in the external relations field, 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 Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Division is in charge of relations with 14 Southern African and Indian Ocean countries: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It follows EU relations with a number of regional organisations, such as the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Our mission is to deepen our partnership with these countries and organisations in a mutually beneficial way, while advancing EU values, such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and interests.
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”)[1].
PLACE and DATE OF EMPLOYMENT
EEAS Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
Post available: immediately
LEGAL BASIS
The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the CEOS, in particular Article 82 thereof.
In case of recruitment, the successful candidate will be offered a contract agent position (Function group IV), on the basis of a contract with an initial duration of one year that may be successively renewed up to a maximum duration of six years[2], subject to the maximum duration of engagement by the EEAS allowed under successive limited duration contracts of different types[3].
WE LOOK FOR
The jobholder will be responsible for overseeing the relations between the EU and one or more countries covered by the Africa 2 Division, i.e. Southern Africa region & Indian Ocean.
Eligibility criteria[4]
Further to the conditions set out in Article 82 of the CEOS, candidates must:
have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid function group for this post, 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;
have the capacity to create constructive working relations in the field of external relations with national authorities, international organisations, European institutions and EU Member States;
have strong drafting and analytical skills combined with sound judgement;
have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union;
have excellent communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts both within and outside the EEAS;
have 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;
have strong service attitude;
be a flexible team player.
Furthermore
experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
experience in working with or within other EU institutions;
professional experience or academic background related to Africa’s sub-Saharan countries;
knowledge of Portuguese;
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
About the Company
The European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya is part of the broader comprehensive approach of the EU to create a democratic, peaceful, prosperous and sovereign Libyan nation.
At the invitation of Libyan authorities, it was established in May 2013 as a civilian mission under the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). EUBAM Libya’s mandate structures its operations into three lines: Border Management, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. As such it supports its Libyan partners to enhance the security and admi...
Know more