Job opportunities at the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST)
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is the single point of contact for all EU citizens who wish to work for the European Institutions.
Contract agents
There are two types of contract agents:
- contract agents on a contract of limited duration (up to a maximum of six years) work at Commission headquarters;
- contract agents on longer-term contracts can work in satellite offices, agencies and eventually in EU delegations.
To work in Commission (Headquarters and Delegations) candidates need to have successfully passed a full CAST competition.
For more information regarding "Who may apply ?" and the generic notice about vacancies, please visit the dedicated section.
Trainees
The European Commission has an official traineeship scheme mainly aimed at young university graduates. For further information, please consult the traineeship web pages.
Seconded national experts (SNE)
SNEs are typically seconded from the civil services of EU Member States. They are usually recruited via their Permanent Representations to the EU.
Please read carefully the eligibility criteria.
Temporary agents
In exceptional circumstances, NEAR may consider engaging temporary agents.
- Candidates should be aware that they are only eligible for posts which have at least the same function group level as the function group level of the EPSO test they succeeded (e.g. holder of a FGIV CAST are eligible for CA FG IV, III and II) or the function group for which they have registered within the Commission call for expression of interest for contract staff in generalist profiles.
- Candidates who passed an EPSO test which is still valid. Please bear in mind that for EPSO CAST 27, EPSO CAST 2008 and EPSO CAST 2010, only DB3 candidates who also passed the test held in July 2011 are eligible. Candidates who passed CAST Croatia cannot apply for vacant contract agent posts in EU delegation as this CAST competition was not organised in full (DB2 only).
Who may apply?
- Candidates who have passed a full CAST competition or who have created a profile on the EPSO website and linked it with the respective Call for expressions of interest. However, before being recruited in the European Commission the candidates should have passed the CAST competition.
Please note:
- Posts in Headquarters are covered by 3b contracts. This means that a contract agent working in delegations and covered by 3a contracts selected for a post in Headquarters (outside the annual mobility exercise) will have to resign his/her 3a contract and conclude new 3b contract for maximum 6 years. First contract will be concluded for 1 year. Extension of 2 years will follow provided positive probation period report. Any subsequent extensions will be of 1 year up to a maximum of 6 years in total.
- The selection procedure is organised by NEAR Headquarters (unit to which the post is attached).
Who may apply?
- Contract agents who have served in the same job in the same delegation for at least 3 years or more.
- Contract agents whose request for early mobility on personal grounds outside the annual mobility exercise was accepted by Headquarters. Please note that contract agents included in the mobility exercise for duly substantiated personal reasons are automatically authorised to also apply for vacancies published outside the annual mobility exercise for the same reasons.
- Candidates who have passed a full CAST competition or who have created a profile on the EPSO website and linked it with the respective Call for expressions of interest. However, before being recruited in the European Commission the candidates should have passed the CAST competition.
Please note:
- The selection procedure is organised by each delegation concerned;
- After a pre-selection based on the CVs, the delegation will invite pre-selected candidates to participate in a phone interview panel and will request the recruitment of the selected candidate to ENEST Headquarters for validation.
Contract Agent Vacancies - Delegations
There are no job openings at the moment.
Contract Agent Vacancies - Headquarters
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG ENEST Unit A.5, Institution Building, TAIEX, Twinning |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG II |
| TITLE | Secretary – to the Head of Unit |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 494996 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Provide administrative support to the Head of Unit. |
| CONTACT | Anna [dot] VEZYROGLOU Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to ENEST-A5 |
| DEADLINE | 18 February 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG ENEST Unit B.4, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG III |
| TITLE | Policy Assistant - Support to the negotiations with Montenegro |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 469347 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an Official, support the unit’s work on the definition, supporting the negotiations with Montenegro, including briefings purpose, timetable of sectoral negotiations and handling of interservices consultation process. Support the coordination of the work of specific accession chapters for Montenegro. |
| CONTACT | Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to ENEST-B4 ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENEST-B4[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) |
| DEADLINE | 18 February 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG.ENEST.R.2 – Legal, Transparency, Security. |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Legal Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 260119 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official, to provide legal advice and support to ensure the successful implementation of all DG ENEST responsibilities including on the implementation of refugee support in Türkiye and in the ENEST region. |
| CONTACT | Nathalie [dot] THIBERGEec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Nathalie Thiberge ) Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to ENEST-R2 ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENEST-R2[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu). |
| DEADLINE | 18 February 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – ENEST.B.4 |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Officer - Financial Assistance Coordinator |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 469349 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Coordinate and contribute to strategic programming, implementation and monitoring of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) for Montenegro and for pillars 3 and 4 of the Reform and Growth Facility. Responsible for accession negotiations with Monenegor for Chapter 22 (Regional Development) and 33 ( Financial and budgetary provisions). Contributes to the implementation of the Reform and Growth Plan for the Western Balkans for Montenegro, including through the coordination of monitoring and assessment of progress in the fulfilment of the steps in the partner country’s Reform Agenda, as well as coordination of the related decision making and financial workflows for disbursements. Works as part of the unit's financial assistance team in close coordination with the other DG ENEST services, Directorates-General, EEAS, other EU institutions, EU Member States, the EU Delegation in Podgorica, partner countries, international organisations and others. |
| CONTACT | enest-b4ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENEST B4) Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to enest-b4 ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENEST B4) |
| DEADLINE | 23 February 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – ENEST.B.4 |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | European Integration Officer – Sectoral desk for Public Administration Reform and Public Finance Management |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 509856 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Contribute to the definition, coordination and implementation of EU policies concerning Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on public administration reform and public finance management, chapter 32 on public internal financial control, as well as alignment with the EU acquis and obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreements. This can include also other chapters as required by the Head of Unit. This includes working in close coordination with pollical desks and with economic desks on the socio economic assessment of the countries and the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. |
| CONTACT | enest-b4ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENEST B4) Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to enest-b4 ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENEST B4) |
| DEADLINE | 24 February 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG.ENEST.C.3 - Türkiye |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 247177 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | In the context of EU-Türkiye re-engagement, contribute to defining and implement EU policies and investment strategies related to energy, environment and climate including under the EU Connectivity Agenda and the green and digital transitions. Contribute to monitoring the country’s EU accession process in the areas of energy, environment, climate, and Trans-European Networks. Contribute to financial assistance for refugees in Türkiye. |
| CONTACT | antoine [dot] colombaniec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Antoine COLOMBANI )(Head of Unit) Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to antoine [dot] colombani ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Antoine COLOMBANI) |
| DEADLINE | 26 February 2026 |