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Directorate: Media & Communication Unit
Contract type: Temporary agent
Group: N.A.
Grade: AST5
Indicative starting date: 16/10/2021
Security Clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET
Management of staff: N.A.
Closing date for applications: 19/02/2021

The selection of candidates will follow the EDA Staff Recruitment Procedure. Candidates must apply for this post via the EDA website http://www.eda.europa.eu - vacancies. Please note that to make an EDA on - line application you will need to create your EDA profile using a valid e - mail address and a password.

1. BACKGROUND

The European Defence Agency was established on 12 July 2004, and is governed by Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1835 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency. The Agency has its headquarters in Brussels.

The main task of EDA is to support the Council and the Member States in their effort to improve the Union's defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as it currently stands and as it develops in the future.

The Agency is structured into four directorates. The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) and three operational directorates: Industry, Synergies and Enablers (ISE); Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI).

2. THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING

The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the participating Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all of the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of commitment, flexibility, innovation, and team- working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.

3. THE MEDIA & COMMUNICATION UNIT

The Media and Communication Unit is responsible for all internal and external communication activities of the Agency. The Unit provides communication advice to the Agency’s top team and supports the entire Agency to promote its achievements in terms of project and programme output.

The Unit thus has a double function including providing communication advice to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive as well as a public information role. The importance of communication within the Agency is illustrated by the fact that the Unit directly reports to the Chief Executive/Deputy Chief Executive.

The Unit consists of a small, dynamic and dedicated team. Its aim is to efficiently and innovatively communicate developments and achievements of the Agency to a wide variety of stakeholders. The team includes a Head of Unit, two Media and Communication Officers, a webmaster and a graphic designer/assistant and a trainee (Junior Communication Officer). Each team member has his/her distinct tasks; and while all team members support one another, personal accountability and independent handling of tasks is expected. A framework contract for communication activities is in place which supports the Unit among others in event management, production of publications, etc.

The main channels for external communication the Unit currently uses are its website, presence on social media platforms, publications including the biannual EDA magazine “European Defence Matters”, audiovisual products, newsletters, media articles and events.

4. DUTIES

For the position of Media and Communication Assistant we are looking for a versatile professional, with solid experience in graphic design, in providing overall communication support and in handling administrative tasks.

Given the sensitive nature of the work of the European Defence Agency and the Unit’s high workload, highest attention to detail is required. The Media and Communication Assistant is expected to proactively support colleagues within the unit and across the Agency. This is a highly rewarding but also challenging position and we encourage applications from autonomous, service-oriented and driven team players.

Within the overall context outlined above, the Media and Communication Assistant will, under the guidance of and in close contact with the Head of the Unit, contribute to the following activities:

Graphic design/layout

• prepare, produce and edit printed and online publications including brochures, factsheets, leaflets, power point presentations and social media visuals;
• be the guardian of EDA graphic chart; supervising EDA branded material.

General communication support

• support updating of the EDA website;
• create and maintain contact databases (press, stakeholders, etc);
• help prepare and organise internal and external events (i.e. visits to the Agency, conferences, workshops, press briefings);
• liaise with contractors, manage the multimedia library.

Administrative tasks

• manage the Unit budget lines for “public relation/information activities" – responsible for preparing financial commitments, order forms, and subsequent checking of invoicing and administrative follow up;
• administrative support for the Unit (i.e. preparing missions).

The candidate may be asked to take on additional tasks as required in the interest of the service. Duties may evolve according to development of the EDA's structure and activities, and the decisions of EDA management.

5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered eligible to take part in this selection procedure, on the closing date for the submission of applications candidates must satisfy all the eligibility criteria as specified below:

• be a national of a Member State participating in the Agency;
• be entitled to his/her full rights as a citizen;
• have fulfilled any obligations imposed on him/her by the laws concerning military service;
• produce the appropriate character references as to his/her suitability for the performance of his/her duties (extract from the “judicial record” or certificate of good conduct will be requested prior to recruitment);
• be physically fit to perform his/her duties;
• have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the participating Member States and a satisfactory knowledge of another of these languages to the extent necessary to discharge his/her duties;
• have no personal interest (financial, family relationship, or other) which could be in conflict with disinterested discharge of his/her duties within the Agency;
• hold, or be in a position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (national or EU PSC at SECRET UE/EU SECRET level). Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (PSCC) means a certificate issued by a competent authority establishing that an individual is security cleared and holds a valid national or EU PSC, and which shows the level of EUCI to which that individual may be granted access (SECRET UE/EU SECRET), the date of validity of the relevant PSC and the date of expiry of the certificate itself. Note that the necessary procedure for obtaining a PSCC can be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate;
• have a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma or a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, and appropriate professional experience of at least three years.

Only diplomas that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. In the latter case, the authority authorised to conclude contracts of employment reserves the right to request proof of such equivalence.

6. SELECTION CRITERIA

A. Essential

(1) Professional

The candidate will be required to demonstrate that he/she has:

• at least five years relevant professional experience in a similar role;
• excellent knowledge of current information technology, including Graphic design software (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign app or similar);
• experience of event organisation;
• experience with web publishing (content management systems);
• good administrative skills including procurement and financial management and an ability to work under pressure;
• experience in a multinational environment;
• experience in project management related to communication activities;
• an excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

(2) Personal

All staff must be able to fit into the Agency's way of working (see para. 2). Other attributes important for this post include:

• ability to work in a team and independently in his/her area of responsibility;
• ability to work effectively in a multinational environment;
• flexibility and innovativeness;
• strong motivation to perform general administrative duties;
• service-orientation;
• accuracy and dependability;
• ability to present a positive and professional image of the Agency in external relations;
• good organisation, resilience to change and receptiveness to a rapidly evolving work environment;
• genuine commitment to the Agency's objectives;

B. Desirable

The following will be considered an advantage:

• familiarity with the EU institutions as well as with European Defence/Air Transport/Aerospace sector;
• a satisfactory knowledge of written and spoken French.

7. INDEPENDENCE AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The Media and Communication Assistant will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the Agency’s interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence.

8. APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The Media and Communication Assistant will be appointed by the Chief Executive.

Recruitment will be as a member of the temporary staff of the Agency for a four-year period. Renewal is possible within the limits set out in the EDA Staff Regulations. The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent, grade AST5.

The pay for this position consists of a basic salary of 4.883,11€ supplemented with various allowances, including as applicable expatriation or family allowances. The successful candidate will be graded on entry into service according to the length of his/her professional experience. Salaries are exempted from national tax, instead an Agency tax at source is paid. For further information on working conditions please refer to: https://eda.europa.eu/jobs/what-we-offer.

Failure to obtain the requisite security clearance certificate before the expiration of the probationary period may be cause for termination of the contract.

Candidates are advised that part of the recruitment process includes medical analyses and physical check-up with the Agency’s Medical Adviser.

Applications are invited with a view to establishing a reserve list for the post of Media and Communication Assistant at the EDA. This list will be valid until 31/12/2022, and may be extended by decision of the Chief Executive. During the validity of the reserve list, successful candidates may be offered a post in the EDA according to their competences in relation to the specific requirements of the vacant post. Inclusion on the reserve list does not imply any entitlement of employment in the Agency.

9. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The EDA 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.

10. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Candidates must submit their application electronically solely via the EDA website. Applications by any other means (hard copy or ordinary e-mail) will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted no later than midnight. Candidates are reminded that the on-line application system will not accept applications after midnight (Brussels time, GMT+1) on the date of the deadline.

When applying, candidates from Ministries of Defence or other governmental entities are encouraged to inform their national administration.

A selection panel will be appointed. Please note that the selection panel's internal proceedings are strictly confidential and that any contact with its members is forbidden. Each application will be screened based on the requirements of the job profile stated in the vacancy notice. The most suitable applicants will be called for an interview and a written test. If recruited, you will be requested to supply documentary evidence in support of the statements that you make for this application. Do not send any supporting or supplementary information until you have been asked to do so by the Agency.

Please note that once you have created your EDA profile, any correspondence regarding your application must be sent or received via your EDA profile. For any prior enquiry, please refer to the FAQ (Frequently asked questions) section, or send an e-mail to recruitment@eda.europa.eu.

this job offer is not open for applications