JOB DESCRIPTION

Administrative Assistant

in DG RTD – European Commission

Job title: Administrative Assistant
Domain: Science and Research
Where: Unit A.2 – European Research Area (ERA), Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, Brussels
Function Group: FG III
Contract Type: 3b
Express your interest until: 09.01.2026 – 12.00 (noon, Brussels time)

WE ARE

Unit RTD.A2 – ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, is responsible for the design and
implementation of the ERA policy agenda in order to deliver on the four objectives of the new ERA:
prioritising investments and reforms, improving access to excellence, translating Research &
Innovation (R&I) results into the economy and deepening the ERA, including through the upcoming
ERA ACT. For that purpose, it coordinates the ERA governance (the ERA Forum, ERAC and the ERA
Monitoring Mechanism) and the work of different colleagues in RTD. In addition, the unit develops a
policy and relevant tools for attracting and retaining research talents and careers under the Choose
Europe for Science initiative, also by empowering higher education institutions. The unit is also
responsible for promoting the Spreading of Excellence and preparing the work programme on
“Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area” (WIDERA), overseeing its
implementation.

The objective is to bring together the actors (Commission, Member States, stakeholders and
associated countries) and policies that contribute to establishing a single market for knowledge,
allowing for the free flow of researchers, data and ideas, encouraging national investments and
addressing the R&I disparities among EU countries.

The unit is organised in three teams covering ERA governance, research careers and spreading
excellence (widening).

WE PROPOSE

Unit RTD.A2 – ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers is seeking to hire an administrative
assistant for the “Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area” work
programme, as well as other administrative support to the function of the unit, an interesting and
challenging position with the following main tasks:

• Contribute to the preparation of the Horizon Europe work programme “Widening
participation and strengthening the European Research Area” and the related processes and

programme committee meetings.

• Coordinate the preparation, management, planning, follow up and update of documents for

the functioning of the HE Programme Committee WIDERA

• Coordinate the planning, preparation and follow up of the Horizon Europe WIDERA National

Contact Points’ meetings

• Assist and follow up of Programme Committee/ National Contact Points meetings, activities

and deadlines.

• Collaborate with colleagues for the follow up of the procedures linked to comitology and

update of information/documents in the Comitology register.

• Prepare and launch the procedures by delegation/written consultations to the members of

the Programme Committee.

• Assist the unit in the coordination of planning procedures and respect of priorities and

deadlines.

• Assist members of the unit on general administrative procedures and processes, as well as

Commission’s IT tools.

• Prepare and coordinate the work of the unit and ensure the provision of smooth services to

the staff.

• Assist that incoming messages and documents are attributed and followed up and that

deadlines are respected.

• Back-up for other assistants in the unit, including the Finance and Contracts Assistant.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a motivated, versatile and dynamic colleague with expertise in work programme
preparation and comitology. The selected candidate should have a high level of autonomy and
proactivity, with an eye for detail, keeping a balanced interaction with the colleagues and the
hierarchy. The candidate should also have a service-oriented attitude and a problem-solving
mindset. You should be able to:

•

•

communicate in a clear and structured way, both orally and in writing, in particular in
English;
familiarise yourself quickly with the relevant IT applications and procedures necessary for
the task related to the work programmes, programme committees, comitology procedures;

• pay attention to detail while keeping the overall picture;
• work effectively with colleagues across the organisation and at all levels;
• be well organised, setting priorities and managing deadlines efficiently;
• demonstrate sound judgement and an ability to identify potential issues and to propose

solutions.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

With a view to guaranteeing equal access to all, the Commission recruits from an open database of
spontaneous applications. The present call for interests aims at helping the recruiters to identify
potentially interested candidates within this database.

(Reference: Call for interest: EC/2025/RTD/500689)

In practice, to express your interest, please follow the subsequent two steps:

1.

If you are not registered yet in the open EPSO database, please do so at the following
address: CAST Permanent. Please select under selection procedures for contract agent the
CAST permanent profile that best suits your education and experience.

2. You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order:

2. completed application form.
these documents by

1. your CV
Please send
[email protected]
EC/2025/RTD/500689 in the subject.

indicating

the publication deadline
call

the

for

to RTD-A2-CA-
reference

interest

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline.