Job Specifications
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 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 role of the EEAS POL.MULTILATERAL.3 Human Rights Division is to contribute to the realisation of the EU Treaty commitment and political objective of promoting human rights, the rule of law and democracy worldwide. The division is responsible for conducting and coordinating the EU's human rights policy towards third countries and in the multilateral framework, as well as programming the relevant external assistance instrument.
WE PROPOSE
The position of policy officer in the Human Rights Division, 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: as of 1 January 2026
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
We are seeking a highly motivated, proactive, flexible colleague with sound political judgement and excellent communication skills to join a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.
Under the authority of the Head of Division, the successful candidate will:
Analyse, coordinate, develop, implement and monitor EU external human rights policy in selected thematic areas, such as the right to development, as well as in a specific geographical region, for example Western Balkans and Turkiye.
Coordinate preparation of the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy, as well as Human Rights and Democracy country strategies.
Coordinate the network of Human Rights focal points in EU Delegations.
Coordinate Division’s activities in the COHOM Council working party.
Contribute to policy development in thematic areas, enhance EU's action in third countries and follow up the multilateral dimension, incl. in the context of the Council of Europe.
Analyse the human rights situation of a specific geographical region in close collaboration with other EEAS Services and EU Delegations.
Prepare, participate and follow up on relevant Human Rights Dialogues and human rights aspects of Political Dialogues.
Draft briefings, policy papers, resolutions and statements in multilateral fora and follow-up.
Maintain contacts in areas of responsibility with third countries and civil society.
Support Division’s communication activities.
Contribute to implementing the mandate of the Human Rights division in other areas, as necessary.
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 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 net
About the Company
At the invitation of the President of the Central African Republic, the EUAM RCA Mission was established in December 2019 by the European Council. Deployed in July 2020 to Bangui, the mission's mandate is to provide strategic advice to the Ministry of the Interior, Internal Security Forces, police and gendarmerie in an effort to support security sector reform in the country. EUAM RCA’s mandate is a continuation of the efforts put forth by the EU military training mission also present in the country and the mission works in ...
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