Job Opportunities

ESDC Vacancy Notice SNE cost-free Project Manager /Training Manager (with a focus on climate, security and defence-related issues) Job No: 420425 (Republished post)

Cover Letter SNE Cost Shared 15/11/23 (Republished post) (Download Here)

Council Decision (CFSP) 2020-1515 (Download Here)

We are:

As set out in Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1515 of 19 October 2020, the mission of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) is to provide training and education in the field of the Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in the wider context of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CSFP) at European level in order to develop and promote a common understanding of CSFP and CSDP among civilian and military personnel and to identify and disseminate best practices in relation to various CFSP and CSDP issues through its training and education activities.

The ESDC works under the overall responsibility of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ('HR'). The European External Action Service (EEAS) supports the High Representative in the exercise of his mandate to conduct and implement an effective and coherent EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), of representing the EU and of chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. It also supports the High Representative in his capacity as Vice-President of the Commission with regard to his 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 General Secretariat of the Council, the services of the Commission and the Secretariat General of the European Parliament.

We propose:

The post of a “cost-free” Seconded National Expert (SNE) as project manager/training manager with a focus on Climate, Security and Defence, who will report to the Head of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). A key task will be to contribute to building up the EU Climate, Security and Defence Training Platform, set out in the Joint Communication on the Climate-Security nexus of 28 June 2023. In addition to providing expertise on climate, security and defence matters, the successful candidate will also be in charge of organising training and education courses, seminars, conferences and events, as well as liaise with EU Member States, the EEAS, EU institutions, NATO, and other stakeholders on environment, climate, security and defence-related topics, and other topics related to the mandate of the ESDC. In addition, the

SNE will be in charge of preparing briefings, missions, and contributing to strategic, political and operational activities and documents.

Functions and Duties:

Under the authority of the leadership of the ESDC, the SNE is expected to perform the following tasks and responsibilities:

 Organise, support and lead training courses, seminars and conferences with a focus on, but not limited to, education and training for CSDP in terms of Climate Security and Defence-related trainings,

 Contribute to the development and implementation of the EU Climate Security and Defence training Platform,

 Be fully responsible for all relevant files and projects attributed, from start to finish at all stages of the project cycle, including, but not limited to, financial aspects, project planning, drafting briefings, memos and background papers, mission requests, invitations and meetings, experiences, brief reports, minutes and summaries, and follow-up,

 Contribute to the lessons learnt process of the ESDC,

 Proactively develop and implement programs and initiatives, plans, partnerships, activities and trainings in the area of CSDP,

 Actively engage with multilateral, regional and bilateral partners as well as civil society and academia when identifying best practices and gaps in training and education for CSDP,

 Contribute to drafting policy documents,

 Contribute to ESDC publications on the ESDC website and social media, develop LTTs,

 Follow and contribute to the training requirements analysis coming from the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management/EU Civilian Training Group relevant for current ESDC training,

 Contribute to and develop evaluation and quality assurance tools,

 Coordinate ESDC reports (e.g. Annual Report), and develop, maintain and monitor benchmarks and report results,

 team and/or task-group coordination (depending on the needs of the ESDC),

 Leverage analysis to identify trends, insights, and gaps in training and education for CSDP, identify areas of opportunity with the greatest impact, and propose and implement measures for improvement of CSDP trainings and education,

 Contribute to establishing the ESDC as an inclusive and diverse workplace including on gender equality, sexual orientation, gender identities, disabilities and ethnicity,

 Perform additional tasks, upon instruction by the hierarchy

The post involves some travel-related duties.

We are looking for:

A dynamic, flexible and proactive colleague with a developed sense of service and solid knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches related to the interplay between environmental exploitation and degradation, climate change, security and defence, and/ or related areas. The successful candidate shall have a high ability to identify gaps in existing trainings, knowledge and expertise to address the linkages, opportunities and risks relating to Peace, Security, Defence and Climate Change, and be able to successfully create trainings, workshops and tools to efficiently address those gaps. A thorough knowledge of the most efficient and proven pedagogical techniques for addressing interdisciplinary societal and global challenges would be an asset.

Legal basis:

In line with the Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1515 of 19 October 2020 establishing a European Security and Defence College (ESDC), this vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the EEAS Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy HR DEC(2014) 01 of 04/02/2014 establishing the rules applicable to National Experts seconded to the European External Action Service.

Eligibility criteria:

Candidates must:

a) Be drawn from public administrations in Member States, from international organisations or, only in exceptional cases and with prior authorisation, from other sources,

b) Have at least three years’ full-time experience of administrative, scientific, technical, advisory or supervisory functions equivalent to those of function groups AD or AST as defined in the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the Union or, where justified in the interests of the service, professional training of an equivalent level.

c) Have a thorough knowledge of one Union language and a satisfactory knowledge of a second language for the performance of his/her duties,

d) Have a security clearance of minimum level EU-SECRET/SECRET-UE for the functions that he/she will carry out,

e) Remain in the service of the employer throughout the period of secondment and shall be paid by that employer,

f) Remain subject to the social security legislation applicable to the public administration, international administration or entity which employs the SNE and which will assume responsibility for expenses incurred abroad. In case of posting to an EU Delegation, the employer certifies that the SNE is covered for medical expenses incurred at the place of secondment, as well as costs of repatriation on health grounds throughout the full period of secondment,

g) Ensure that there is no conflict of interest and that he/she will, at all times, safeguard the independence and coherence of EU foreign policy as well as the integrity and confidentiality of EU documentation, information and procedures.

Selection criteria:

A. Qualifications and experience required

-       university diploma, or equivalent level of education,

- three years of relevant professional experience,

- to have an understanding of peace, security and defence and the nexus between climate change, security and defence,

- experience and knowledge of EU policies, values and priorities, including but not limited to CFSP and CSDP,

- have an excellent ability to maintain diplomatic relations and to ensure representation, communication in a complex, multicultural environment,

- have an excellent capacity to create constructive working relations with governmental and non-governmental entities, including law enforcement      agencies, government representatives and civil society organisations,

- have strong drafting, communication and analytical skills combined with sound judgement,

- experience in working in multicultural, international teams,

- experience in sustainable conference and seminar organisation,

- experience in agile, inclusive and gender-responsive team working methods in diverse, multinational teams, using the latest ICT tools.

B. Skills required

- Ideally have an interdisciplinary education and/or knowledge in political sciences, law, European and international studies, social sciences and/or natural sciences,

- have the ability to remain objective in complex scenarios and to display sensitivity and sound judgement,

- have good organisational skills, the ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines and to manage multiple tasks and unexpected demands,

- have excellent drafting and communication skills,

- have excellent negotiating skills in a multinational environment,

- have the ability to work professionally as a member of the ESDC, in mixed-composition task forces and working groups, in an interesting and challenging environment,

- good computer skills are essential, notably in word processing, spreadsheets, presentations software, Internet / Intranet and email systems. Knowledge of other IT tools would be an asset,

- national security clearance at SECRET UE level. Such clearance needs to be obtained from the competent authorities before secondment to the European External Action Service. It must be valid for the entire period of secondment. In its absence, the EEAS reserves the right to refuse the secondment as a national expert.

C. Languages

- thorough knowledge of one EU working language and satisfactory knowledge of another one are required; in practical terms, in order to perform the required duties, that means an excellent command of written and spoken English, in particular good report-writing skills; good knowledge of written and spoken French is desirable.

D. Personal Qualities

- maintain the highest standards of personal integrity, impartiality and self-discipline. The expert must exercise the greatest discretion with regard to all facts and information coming to his/her knowledge in the performance of his/her duties,

- possess a dynamic, motivated and flexible personality,

- be able to adapt quickly to new situations and deal with new challenges, including missions to conflict areas.

Application Procedure:

Candidates shall draft their CV and cover letter in English or in French in a PDF or Word version, following the European CV form which can be found at the following internet address: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/documents/curriculum-vitae

The Permanent Representations of the Member States should send applications to the EU only by email to the Division RM.BHR.3 “Selection and Recruitment” at the following address: SNE- CSDP@eeas.europa.eu, and not directly to the ESDC. Each application will be screened based on the requirements of the job profile stated in the vacancy notice. The Division RM.BHR.3 “Selection and Recruitment” will verify the eligibility criteria. The most suitable applicants will be called for an interview by the ESDC as soon as possible.

Equal opportunities

- The EEAS and the ESDC are committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its staff and applicants. The EEAS and the ESDC are committed to promoting gender equality and to preventing discrimination on any grounds. They actively welcome applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and from the broadest possible geographical basis amongst the EU Member States. We aim at a service which is truly representative of society, where each staff member feels respected, is able to give their best and can develop their full potential.

- Candidates with disabilities are invited to contact SNE-CSDP@eeas.europa.eu in order to accommodate any special needs and provide assistance to ensure the possibility to pass the selection procedure in equality of opportunities with other candidates. If a candidate with a disability is selected for a vacant post, the EEAS and the ESDC are committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Art 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.

Conditions of secondment

Cost-free SNEs shall remain in the service of their employer throughout the period of secondment and shall continue to be paid by that employer.

Duration of the secondment: Initial period up to two years, renewable up to four years.

The ESDC will cover:

- costs of professional travels (missions) incurred by the SNE posted at the ESDC (located in the EEAS HQ);

- accident insurance 24/7 for the SNE (not family members).

Other costs such as removal costs, allowances, salary, insurance, schooling (other than the European School fee), etc. shall not be covered by the EEAS or the ESDC.

Vacancy available from: 01 June 2024

The closing date for the submission of applications is 1 May 2024 at 6 pm (CET).

Place of secondment: Brussels, Belgium

Data Protection:

The personal information requested from candidates will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) N° 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) 45/2001 and Decision No. 1247/2002/EC.

The purpose of processing personal data of the candidates is to manage applications in view of possible preselection and recruitment. More information on personal data protection can be found on the EEAS website: https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters- homepage/3032/-transparency-and-data-protection_en