Ref.: EUISS (2024) PERM 08

Status: Contract staff member OR appointment by secondment

Grade: A2/A3

Place of employment: Brussels

Starting date: February 2025

Salary and title:

The salary scale of the EUISS is calculated according to that of the Coordinated Organisations to which grade A2/A3 makes reference, depending on the level of experience of the successful candidate. For a secondment, the salary will remain as determined (and paid) by the current employer plus a daily allowance of €110.40 paid by the EUISS.

Duration:

The successful candidate will be offered a contract of

• 3 years, renewable for up to 2 further years, if under the status of contract staff member;
• up to 2 years, renewable for a further period of 1 year maximum, if seconded.

Job description

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is the EU Agency that analyses foreign, security and defence policy issues. With its Headquarters in Paris and a Liaison Office in Brussels, the Institute acts as a trusted interface between EU officials and member state diplomats and Europe’s wider think tank and scholarly community.

Through its publications and events, it works to enhance policymakers’ understanding of the underlying trends and complexity of a fast-changing world. It always combines rigorous research with policy-relevant conclusions and recommendations. It has a solid track record of strengthening the links among EU think tanks working in the field of foreign, security and defence policy, thus helping to build a stronger EU ‘strategic community and culture’.

The EUISS seeks to hire an experienced expert who will focus on European defence policy. The Senior Policy Analyst will report to the Director and join a highly qualified and motivated team whose mission is to provide expertise and insights to both EU/national officials.

Main responsibilities

• Leading the EUISS’ work on European defence, focusing on the evolution and further development of CSDP at both the strategic and operational levels.
• Analysing developments related to Europe’s defence industry (capability development, research & technology) as well as to operational aspects of CSDP, primarily CSDP missions and operations and security and defence partnerships (NATO, UN plus key states); Authoring and commissioning high-quality, forward-looking analyses, with clear policy recommendations for key EU actors (the EEAS, EU member states, the European Commission and others);
• Organising small and large-scale events and meetings, designed to disseminate EUISS research and analysis, as well as to inform decision-makers;
• Supporting the implementation of projects in the domain of the portfolio (e.g. EU Cyber diplomacy initiative, Countering Foreign Interference CFI) as well as the broader range of EUISS activities through analytical, written and verbal contributions;
• Liaising with relevant policy departments and working groups across the European Union and its member states as well as other think tanks and the private sector;
• Serving as a point of contact for rotating EU Presidencies to facilitate collaborative activities on a demand basis;
• Representing the Institute within Europe and abroad, participating in relevant meetings of the EU, its member states, international organisations and research institutes.

Eligibility criteria

On the closing date for applications, candidates must fulfil all the following conditions:

• Be a national of a member state of the European Union who enjoys full rights as a citizen attested by a recent extract from judicial records and/or certificate of good conduct;
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by national law on military service;
• Be physically fit to perform the required duties;
• Hold, or be in the position to obtain, a valid security clearance certificate.

Education

• A PhD or a specialised Master’s degree, in the field of international relations, security studies, political science or a related field from a university of recognised global standing.

Professional experience

• Minimum of six years of professional work experience within one or more policy research, governmental, academic, or educational institutions, with a specific focus on European defence;
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of CSDP matters and the defence industry;
• Proven record of producing high-quality and original policy-oriented research and publications aimed at key EU stakeholders;
• Proven record of collaboration and networking with relevant officials and diplomats at EU and national level;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, including the ability to identify and distil complex policy issues and propose viable reforms and solutions;
• Well-developed communication and drafting skills, with a demonstrated ability to write and present policy innovations effectively to key audiences;
• Proven record of organising events designed to disseminate research findings and to inform and engage EU decision-makers
• Proven ability to work well under pressure and to deliver high-quality results within tight deadlines;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment as a team member;
• High professional values and standards characterised by analytical rigour, integrity, and confidentiality.

Languages

• Excellent English writing and speaking skills are essential. Satisfactory knowledge of at least one other EU language is required. A good command of French will be considered as an asset.

Procedure

All interested candidates must complete the online application form and attach:

• A detailed CV in English (with a clear indication of educational attainment and professional experience);
• A list of publications;
• Two writing samples of policy-relevant publications in English;
• A cover letter in English addressed to the EUISS Director;
• If applying for a secondment: a duly signed authorisation/letter of sponsorship from the current employer for the secondment to the EUISS.

Applications received by email, or post will not be considered. Only correctly and fully completed applications will be accepted.

NB Regarding applications for the position under the status of secondment: in accordance with the rules applicable to secondments to the EUISS, a person seconded to the Institute remains in the service of their current employer and continues to be paid their salary by that employer. Therefore, to be considered in the selection process, candidates for a secondment to the advertised position must be sponsored by their current employer. Confirmation is required in the form of an employer authorisation/letter of sponsorship for the secondment to the EUISS by the application deadline. Applications without proof of such confirmation will not be considered for the next steps of the procedure.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday 6 January 2025, 12:00 CET.

The Selection Board, chaired by the Director of the EUISS, will screen the applications and establish a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed. The interview will be completed through a written test, the exact nature of which will be communicated to the candidates concerned in advance. Both interview and written test will be organised remotely.

Following the interviews and written test, the successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of three years with a nine-month probationary period (or an initial secondment for a period of up to two years).

All applicants will be informed of the results of their application by the end of the procedure.

The EUISS is an equal opportunities employer and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of age, race, political or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or family situation.

Any questions related to this selection procedure have to be submitted to EUISS Human Resources via the online contact form and indicating the reference of the vacancy notice.

The processing of personal data by the EUISS is governed by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) N° 45/2001 and Decision N° 1247/2002/EC. By submitting an application, the applicant consents to the processing of the personal data contained in the application form and the supporting documents enclosed therewith, in the sense of Article 5.1 (a) of the Regulation. The personal data in question is collected by the EUISS for the sole purpose of this selection process.