Post 186173

Seconded National Expert (cost-free)

at European External Action Service (EEAS)

of the European Union

Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC)

- Finance Officer-

Job description (Post 186173)

A.Tasks

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Mission Support Division in CPCC, the Finance Officer is expected to perform the following tasks:

  • Planning and preparing mission budgets on the basis of input provided by experts in the fields of General Services (Logistics, Transport, IT, CIS, Medicare/medvac, etc.) in coordination with the European Commission;
  • Providing input for the planning of CSDP operations, using finance processes, rules and organization as a planning tool;
  • Support the EU civilian crisis management missions in the fields of administration and finance: analysis and advice on specific financial and administrative related cases;
  • Providing advice on the strategic budgetary and financial aspects of CSDP operations, including the elaboration of future financial needs;
  • Providing advice on the allocation and use of CFSP budget, CSDP legal and administrative framework, human resources management and training;
  • Providing advice in the field of finance for the planning and conduct of civilian CSDP operations and participating, when appropriate, in the processes of financial control of CSDP operations;
  • Providing support to EU civilian crisis management missions in the fields of administration and functioning: analysis and advice on specific legal, financial, procurement and human resources related cases;
  • Production of horizontal policy documents in the field of Mission Support
  • Contribution to relevant Council Working Groups in the discussions concerning EU civilian missions' financial and administrative organisation and representing the Mission there, when required;
  • Participation in interinstitutional thematic working groups, and contribution to briefings on CSDP mission support issues;
  • Participation in CSDP missions' staff selection procedures;
  • Participation in Technical Assessment Missions and other kind of in-theatre missions where relevant and required;
  • Contribute to CPCC planning documents, briefings, etc.;
  • Contribute to the drafting proposals, rules, guidance notes, SOPs, manuals etc for CSDP operations; to prepare proposals and decisions in this regard and in particular to elaborate future methods, procedures and structures for managing CFSP together with operational services.
  • Act as geographical point of contact of CSDP Missions;
  • Liaise with other EEAS, Council, and Commission Services as well as Member States and stakeholders on legal matters.

B.Qualifications and Experience

  • University Degree in Law, Economics or equivalent professional training. A relevant combination of academic qualifications and extensive experience in the area of budget and procurement may be considered in lieu of an academic degree.
  • Minimum of 10 years of overall professional experience, of which at least 5 years experience at middle or upper management in the budget-related field.
  • Substantive practical field experience from international organisations (e.g. EU, WEU, UN, OSCE, NATO) and crisis management/peacekeeping operations.
  • Knowledge of the EU, particularly related to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
  • An experience in Procurement, Finance or Legal affairs of an EU CSDP mission will be an asset.
  • Must be fully fluent in written and oral English language. Sound report writing skills are especially needed. To have a good knowledge of written and oral French language is desirable.
  • Skills in word processing, spreadsheets, presentations software, Internet/Intranet, use of email systems are essential. Knowledge of database software is a must. Knowledge of other IT tools will be an asset.

C.Requirements/Skills

  • To maintain the highest standards of personal integrity and impartiality. To exercise greatest discretion with regard to all facts and information coming to his/her knowledge in the course of or in connection with the performance of his/her duties.
  • To be able to work professionally as a member of the section and of the Division, in task forces and working groups with mixed composition (other mission-support related tasks as well as with police, judicial, civilian and military staff), in an interesting but challenging environment with unpredictable working hours and a considerable workload. Willingness to travel frequently and on short notice into mission and conflict is also essential.
  • To respect deadlines which are normally posed under high pressure from the Member States and line of command.
  • To have or obtain a national security clearance at EU SECRET level or equivalent.

D.General conditions

  • Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy full rights as a citizen.

[For more information related to the selection, please contact Mr Corrado Pampaloni,

tel.: +32 2 584 6908, fax: +32 2 584 3135; e-mail:

______

1