WE ARE

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the EU's diplomatic service. It helps the EU's foreign affairs chief – the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – carry out the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The European Union (EU) currently has 143 Delegations, eight of which are to international organisations. In all, 6200 staff are currently serving in these Union Delegations. The EU Delegations are placed under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also Vice President of the European Commission. The work of a Delegation varies from country to country but, in general, covers political matters, press and information, trade, aid management and the external aspects of internal EU policies.

EEAS RM.SECRE.1, Field Security Division is a dynamic team, responsible for providing security advice and support to EU Delegations worldwide, enabling their work and assisting with the fulfilment of the legal duty of care obligation towards the EEAS staff and eligible dependents, assets and information.

The Division has three sectors: Operations, Resources & Logistics and Strategy. The Operations sector provides the link between HQ and field operations including the Regional Security Officer (RSO) network, comprising 71 RSOs (with three HQ RSO floaters and 68 RSOs based in Delegations). The Resources and Logistics Sector carries out oversight of the budget lines for Security services contracts (security static guarding and close protection worldwide), coordinates on all security contract tenders worldwide, manages the procurement and maintenance of armoured vehicles, personal protective equipment, radio-communications networks, the Division's human resources (including RSO network recruitment and rotation), and is involved in all security related financial, budgetary, legal and audit matters. The Strategy Sector is responsible for the drafting of policies, training of Security Management Teams, security e-learning tools, training of RSOs, Service Level Arrangements and the content of Hostile Environment Awareness Training courses.

WE PROPOSE

A challenging position in the Field Security area of Regional Security Officer in the EU Delegation to Senegal – job n° 331316

PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Dakar, SENEGAL
LCA: 20%
POST AVAILABLE: 01/08/2022

We will offer to the successful candidate a contract corresponding to a Contract Agent FG III, as per Article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS) for an initial period of 3 years, with possibility of renewal.

The successful candidate will be part of a motivated team with a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork.

LEGAL BASIS

The vacancy is to be filled in accordance with the conditions stipulated under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS)¹. 

WE LOOK FOR

A Regional Security Officer, under EEAS Security and Infrastructure Directorate, Field Security Division, HQ Security authority - to advise and assist the Head of EU Delegation to Senegal, SMT(s) and staff, in arranging and implementing all physical, organisational and procedural measures related to the security of the Union's Delegation to Senegal.

We are seeking a highly motivated colleague who, under the supervision of an official, will:

• conduct regular security threat and risk analyses in the country by applying recognized risk analysis methodology and tools,
• design, evaluate and supervise the use of equipment and implementation of procedures for security of persons, premises, assets and information.
• He/she ensures good contacts with the authorities and/or agencies and forms necessary links with civil society. He/she participates in security meetings organized by Member States, the UN and/or other partners,
• implement measures in the field of crisis management, , including evacuation of people; assets; and information,
• define technical measures and follow up the implementation of recommendations in the fields of his/her competence (security of people, premises, assets and information),
• ensure the respect of security procedures at the Delegation,
• promote security culture, raise security awareness, give advice and train expatriates and other staff on issues of protection/security,
• contribute to the implementation of security measures and keep Headquarters and the Head of Delegation regularly informed via oral and written reporting and situation-analysis,
• When requested, contribute to reviewing and updating security related policies, norms and procedures.
• assess security and safety of Delegation premises, including Head of Delegation Residences and staff accommodations.
• keep up to date the EEAS Security Portal.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Further to the conditions set out in Article 82 CEOS, in order to be eligible for the post of contract agent FG III, candidates must:

1. have passed a valid EPSO CAST in a valid FG for this post or
2. be registered in the EPSO Permanent CAST in a valid FG for this post https://epso.europa.eu/apply/job-offers_en?keyword=&contract=37&grade=All&institution=101&location=All

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for engagement as contract agent FG III:

• (I) Have a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma; or
• (II) a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, and appropriate professional experience of at least three years; or
• (III) in exceptional circumstances and where justified in the interest of the service, professional training or professional experience of an equivalent level (related to the nature of the tasks and qualifications indicated in the Job Description).
• 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 experience in the area of security, in particular diplomatic security protection or a relevant security area;
• have knowledge of Operational Security Management, including Security Risk Management.
• have good drafting, communication and analytical skills;
• have problem solving and organisational skills;
• have experience of working in a team in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• be physically fit for purpose and able to perform long-term missions to countries under critical threat levels; and
• the ability to work under periods of stress e.g. responding to a range of security incidents and security crises including evacuations.

Furthermore:

• any training and/or formal education in Field Security, Operational Security Management or Business Continuity; and
• have knowledge of external relations, internal policies and functioning of the Union.

would be considered as strong assets.

Working languages

• Capacity to work in languages of the CFSP and external relations necessary for the performance of their duties (EN and FR);
• Knowledge of other languages will be considered as an asset.

POSTING POLICY

EEAS career development policy places the need for staff to develop a mix of competences at its core, e.g. working in various fields of expertise and responsibilities in the course of a person's career, including postings at Headquarters and Delegations.

RSOs in Delegations are usually posted for 4 years. Call for interest to apply for extension or early mobility will be launched annually prior to the publication of the mobility exercise. Staff are reminded that extension and early mobility are not a right.

RSOs assigned to a non-family post or a post under evacuation level three may participate in the mobility exercise after 2 years.

Within the mobility exercise, contract staff may be temporarily assigned to the EEAS Headquarters in Brussels; such assignment shall remain exceptional and depends on the availability of posts. The assignment shall be for no less than two years, unless a derogation is authorised by the Head of Division Selection and recruitment in the interest of the service. The assignment shall be for no more than four years, in accordance with Article 118 of the CEOS and Article 3 of Annex X of the Staff Regulations. The member of contract staff temporarily assigned to Headquarters shall be included in the mobility exercise in time to be reassigned to a Union Delegation before he/she reaches the maximum period of 4 years.

Candidates currently in HQ are expected to have served at least three years in HQ by the expected time of posting in Delegation. Derogation to this rule may only be granted in the interest of the service.

External candidates may also apply to any vacancy position published for Delegations.

It is in the interest of the service to ensure that staff members in Delegations are able to complete full postings before reaching the age of retirement. Before taking any final decisions on nominations, the appropriate Authority Authorised to conclude contracts of engagement (AACC) will ensure on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Staff Regulations (SR) and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants to the Union (CEOS)² that the successful candidates will indeed be able to complete the relevant full posting for the post for which they were selected. As stated in Article 6, Point 2(a), applications from candidates not fulfilling this requirement will be examined by the AACC for exceptional and justified reasons and in the interest of the service.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE³

The procedure will take place in three different and successive steps:

1. Application

Before submitting their application, candidates should carefully check whether they meet all the eligibility criteria in order to avoid automatic exclusion from the selection procedure.

Equally, candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the local living conditions, including information concerning the accommodation, before applying. Individual post reports are available from EEAS.BA.HR.3, Rights and Obligations ([email protected]).

Candidates should also ensure that they are fully aware of the relevant security provisions i.e. Personal Security clearance at the level EU SECRET will be requested in all EU Delegations. Successful candidates will be required to undergo security vetting if they do not already hold security clearance to the appropriate level in accordance with the EEAS relevant security provisions.

During the application procedure, candidates will be required to send the following documents:

• an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (preferably using the Europass format https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae, indicating clearly the EPSO ID application number;
• a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) in either English or French;
• Applications should be submitted to the following email address:

[email protected]

With copy to

[email protected]

By submitting an application, candidates grant permission to the concerned human resources and recruiting departments to use these documents.⁴

Deadline for applications is 10/05/2022: at 12.00 hours (midday, Brussels time). Candidates are strongly advised to submit their application as early as possible. Late applications will not be accepted.

For correspondence concerning the selection procedure, please use the following email address:

[email protected]

2. Pre-selection

The selection panel in HQ will makes a pre-selection on the basis of the qualifications and the professional experience described in the CV and motivation letter, and will submit a shortlist of a limited number of eligible candidates who best meet the selection criteria for the post to HQ, who will then check the eligibility of the candidates. Those candidates who do not have a valid CAST will be invited to take the tests.

3. Selection

The HR department will invite the eligible candidates who have been pre-selected for an interview to evaluate them objectively and impartially on the basis of their qualifications, professional experience and linguistic skills, as listed in the present vacancy notice. The selection panel will recommend a shortlist of candidates for a final decision by the relevant Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts of Employment (AACC). The AACC may decide to interview the candidates on the final shortlist before taking this decision.

CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

PERSONNEL SECURITY CLEARANCE

A candidate selected for a posting shall be assigned or appointed on condition that they are granted Personnel Security Clearance (PSC) at EU SECRET level in accordance with Decision ADMIN(2019)7 of the Director General for Budget and Administration of the EEAS of 8 March 2019 on Security Clearance Requirements and Procedures for the European External Action Service. A selected candidate that is not in possession of the required PSC shall initiate the process for requesting the PSC in accordance with Article 5 of Decision ADMIN(2019)7 within ten working days from the notification of their selection for the post, in line with Article 11 of the EEAS Rotation Decision.

As a matter of policy, applications of individuals who have the dual nationality of the host country or the partner of whom has the nationality of the host country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The EEAS examines if there could be a conflict of interest and the consequence of a possible refusal by the host country to grant diplomatic immunity to the staff member and or his/her partner and family, as well as possible security risks. The HR Department may ask for additional information from the applicant in this context.

MEDICAL CLEARANCE

The signature of the contract will be subject to prior favourable opinion of the Medical Service. On that occasion, the candidate should indicate any serious health problems or requirements for specialised medical treatment for themselves and/or for the individuals who will accompany them. If staff members withhold such information they will not benefit from a reimbursement by the institution of certain costs, e.g. expenses relating to medical evacuation, or to a return to Headquarters in the case of early mobility.

Prior to recruitment, the successful candidate will be contacted by our services in order to fulfil the relevant medical requirements for the post as appropriate, including a psychological assessment which the AACC reserves the right to request.

Should the AACC decide, at the end of the selection process, to propose one of the posts mentioned in annex to the candidate, please note that:

A valid EU Digital COVID Certificate is required before taking up duty and for your entire assignment in EU Delegations especially in such hardship postings[1], having regard to the duty of care of the EEAS for its staff and taking account of the need to ensure appropriate health and safety standards in the country of posting[2]. Additionally, please be aware that the domestic legislation of third countries hosting EU Delegations may at any time require, inter alia, a valid vaccination certificate in order to work or to obtain an entry visa. It is the obligation of the staff member concerned to comply with the national rules in force[3]. Failing to do so, the Authority Authorised to Conclude Contracts may decide to withdraw its decision on the selection.

OTHER

Candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the provisions of Annex X of the Staff Regulations, which applies to staff serving in Delegations located outside the European Union, regarding their rights and obligations (leave entitlements, allowances, reimbursement of expenses, social security benefits).

Candidates are deemed to be fully aware of the local living conditions, including i.a. information concerning security, health care, education, social acceptance of sexual orientation, employment opportunities for spouses and the accommodation provided (Annex X, Article 5 or 23), before applying. Candidates are strongly encouraged to consult the relevant Country Post reports which are available from EEAS.RM.HR.3, Rights, Obligations and Medical Cell Division: [email protected].

All postings will in principle be aligned with the mobility cycle and have the 31 August of a given year as end date.

Successful candidates shall participate in all compulsory pre-posting training. All posts in an EU Delegation require the successful completion of BASE, a security e-learning. The “Hostile Environment Awareness Training" (HEAT) is compulsory before taking up duty/going on mission in some countries. The EEAS will provide the selected candidate with that possibility in case she or he has not yet followed the training.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The EEAS is committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its employees and applicants for employment. As an employer, the EEAS is committed to promoting gender equality and to preventing discrimination on any grounds. It actively welcomes 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 the Functional mailbox [email protected] 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 is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with Art 1d.4 of the Staff Regulations.

ADDRESS FOR INQUIRIES

[email protected]

¹ Staff Regulations of Officials (SR) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union (CEOS). For reference, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1570023902133&uri=CELEX:01962R0031-20190101

² http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF

³ Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, as implemented by ADMIN(2019)8 Decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The privacy statement is available on the Europa website: (http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm) and on the EEAS Intranet: (https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-statements).

⁴ Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, as implemented by ADMIN(2019)8 decision of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The privacy statement is available on the Europa website: (http://eeas.europa.eu/data_protection/rights/index_en.htm) and on the EEAS Intranet: (https://intranet.eeas.europa.eu/page/eeas-work/data-protection/privacy-statements-dp-notices).

[1] ‘Hardship postings’ are determined in accordance with Article 10(1) of Annex X of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union, which requires the AA/AACC to take into account inter alia the ‘health and hospital environment’ when determining the allowance for living conditions.
[2] Article 1e(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union
[3] Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides: “Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State.”