Ref.: EUISS (2024) PERM 07

Status: Contract staff member OR appointment by secondment

Grade: B2

Place of employment: Brussels, Belgium

Starting date: January 2025

Salary

Depending on the level of experience, the salary of the successful candidate will be based on grade B2 of the Coordinated Organisations of which the EUISS is part. For a secondment, the salary will remain as determined (and paid) by the current employer plus a daily allowance paid by the EUISS.

Duration

The successful candidate will be offered a contract of

• 3 years, renewable for up to 6 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 Events and Communications Officer who will support the implementation of the EUISS’ communication strategy and coordinate the organisation of EUISS events in various formats. In this role, the incumbent will report to the Head of Administration and Personnel and work closely with the Institute’s Communications Coordinator and the team of Event Coordinators.

Main responsibilities

Event coordination

• support the planning, organisation and logistics of physical, hybrid and online high-profile public and closed-door events;
• assist in preparing and following-up on event budgets and related transactions;
• invite speakers and participants, and arrange travel and accommodation as required;
• liaise with event partners and managing contracts with services providers (venues, caterers, content providers, etc.);
• provide on-site/online support during events, incl. participant registration;
• prepare event reports and/or collect reports from partners for jointly organised events.

Communication support

• support the implementation of the Institute’s communication strategy;
• assist in maintaining and updating the EUISS website (Drupal);
• assist in managing and growing the EUISS social media accounts by creating compelling content (including visuals and videos), and monitoring engagement metrics;
• draft high-quality content for newsletters, website, and social media;
• provide support across teams concerning communications on activities and events;
• support the production of marketing materials and publications;
• ensure that subscriptions to press outlets, documentation services and online platforms are up-to-date and accessible to staff;
• assist in monitoring and responding to general enquiries or requests to access documents/information.

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;
• Enjoy full rights as a citizen to be attested at the moment of recruitment by a recent extract from a judicial record 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.

Selection criteria

• A university degree (BA/MA) in Event Management, Communications, International Relations, or other disciplines relevant to this position;
• At least 3 years of proven work experience in event management and/or communication support;
• Proven experience in assisting with the implementation of communication campaigns; experience in dealing with the press, video production and graphic design will be an asset;
• Proven experience in website and social media management as well as in content creation;
• High proficiency in digital and social media communication paired with strong writing skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and to deliver 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 proactiveness, diligence, integrity and confidentiality;
• Very good English writing and speaking skills are essential. Satisfactory knowledge of at least one other EU language is required. Working knowledge of French will be 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 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 6 December 2024, 12:00 CET.

All eligible applications will be scrutinised by a Selection Committee. Candidates whose applications best match the selection criteria will be invited for an interview. In addition, a second interview or written tests may be carried out.

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 selection procedure.

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

Should a candidate have any questions related to the current vacancy notice or the selection procedure or the procedure to follow in case they want to lodge a complaint, they may contact the Human Resources Department using the EUISS 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.