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
| ENTITY | KOSOVO, Pristina - ENEST.B.2.DEL.Kosovo.003 - Cooperation Section |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Officer - Growth Plan / Social and Economic Development |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 467051 Living-conditions allowance: 20% |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official, and in partnership within a team, to take forward the implementation of the 4 Pillars of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, including the Reform and Growth Facility, EU Single Market Access as well as Regional Economic Integration, with focus and specifically for Kosovo. This includes the coordination of policy dialogue and of monitoring and assessment of progress in the fulfilment of the qualitative and quantitative steps set out in the partner countries’ respective Reform Agendas, as well as coordination of the related decision making and financial workflows for disbursements. Under the supervision of an official, to support the overall coordination of the EU Office’s contribution to formulation, implementation and proactive monitoring of projects under IPA and the Western Balkan Investment Framework. To further strengthen the work and coordination on investment facilitation and competitiveness analysis. |
| CONTACT | Alessandro [dot] BIANCIARDI Please indicate your CAST Application ID in your application and mention the post number in subject line. Security Clearance is compulsory for all EU Staff in delegations and must be requested by selected candidate before departure. |
| DEADLINE | 08 April 2026 |
| ENTITY | KOSOVO, Pristina - ENEST.B.2.DEL.Kosovo.003 - Cooperation Section |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer - Communication and Information Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 512017 Living-conditions allowance: 20% |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of the Head of Cooperation and, where applicable, to provide support to the visibility of the EU in Kosovo by preparing information, visibility and communication actions and projects in order to inform and promote policies, programmes and activities about the EU assistance to Kosovo and the overall EU-integration process. Maximize visibility, specifically of EU-funded projects, through coordinating efforts of the EU contractors and implementing partners, in close cooperation with Project Managers from the Cooperation Section (COOP), and in coordination with the Political Section (Strat Com / Press & Information), under the overall management of the Head of Office / the EU Special Representative in Kosovo. |
| CONTACT | Alessandro [dot] BIANCIARDI Please indicate your CAST Application ID in your application and mention the post number in subject line. Security Clearance is compulsory for all EU Staff in delegations and must be requested by selected candidate before departure. |
| DEADLINE | 14 April 2026 |
Contract Agent Vacancies - Headquarters
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG.ENEST.B.3: Albania, North Macedonia |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer – Albania |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 509855 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Contributing to the definition and implementation of EU policies related to Albania in the context of the accession negotiations, of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and of the Reform Agenda. Support the engagement with Albania on sectoral policies and in the economic area, including in relation to the investment climate and rule of law. |
| CONTACT | Sigrid [dot] BRETTEL Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to ENEST-B3 |
| DEADLINE | 23 March 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG.ENEST.C4 - Georgia, South Caucasus, East |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 509949 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official, provide advice and support for shaping, monitoring and implementing the EU policy towards the countries covered by the Unit (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Belarus). To assist with political and economic analysis and contribute to programming processes. Supervise the support under the Global Gateway including blending and EFSD+. |
| CONTACT | Isabelle [dot] RICHARD Please make sure that you send the Application Form when applying, as well as mention your CAST candidate number and the post number in subject line. |
| DEADLINE | 31 March 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG.ENEST.C4 - Georgia, South Caucasus, East |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 504816 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of an official, provide advice and support for shaping, monitoring and implementing the European Neighbourhood Policy in Armenia and Azerbaijan with a particular focus on connectivity, including the management of related financial assistance. Oversee the delivery of the Global Gateway initiative, including blending operations and the implementation of EFSD+ instruments. Support the strengthening of the EU’s connectivity agenda in the context of the consolidated peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |
| CONTACT | Isabelle [dot] RICHARD Please make sure that you send the Application Form when applying, as well as mention your CAST candidate number and the post number in subject line. |
| DEADLINE | 31 March 2026 |
| ENTITY | Brussels – ENEST A1 – Enlargement Strategy and Coordination |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG III |
| TITLE | Policy Assistant |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 513011 |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of a Commission official, to support the preparation, organisation and follow-up of the enlargement package and the management of other enlargement related processes. |
| CONTACT | Monika [dot] CSAKI Please make sure that you send the Application form when applying, as well as mention your CAST candidate number and the post number in subject line. |
| DEADLINE | 9 April 2026 |