208a - Head of Unit (3 posts)

European Defence Agency; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

European Defence Agency in Brussels is seeking a Head of Unit in the EDA Policy and Management Office (EPMO) to lead strategic policy development at the highest level and drive cross‑directorate coordination. You will work closely with top management to shape priorities and steer critical initiatives.

The role requires senior leadership, a strong track record in policy work, and the ability to manage staff, engage with Member States and international partners, and ensure execution of complex

Qualifications

• 10 years of professional defence and security experience.
• Experience in strategy or policy departments or ministerial cabinets.
• Excellent English writing and speaking skills.

Responsibilities

• Propose and develop strategy and policy positions for the Agency.
• Engage with Member States and third parties, including NATO.
• Coordinate planning, budgeting, and governance; supervise Steering Board activities.
• Lead EDA Policy and Management Office functions and develop staff.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Strategic planning

Policy development

English proficiency

Project coordination

Teamwork

Education

University degree

Defence College graduate

Job description

208a - Head of Unit in the EDA Policy and Management Office (3 posts)

Contract type: Temporary agent

Directorate: EDA Policy and Management Office (EPMO)

Group: N.A.

Grade: AD11

Level of Security Clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET

Management of staff: N.A.

Location: Brussels

Closing date for applications: 17/11/2026

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established on 12 July 2004, and isgoverned by CouncilDecision (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 andDefence 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:Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Procurement, Support, Industry & Interoperability (PSII); Research, Technology & Innovation (RTI).

2. THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING

The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the 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 THE EDA POLICY AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE (EPMO)

The EDA Policy and Management Office (EPMO) works in direct support of the Agency's top management (Chief Executive & Deputy Chief Executive). EPMO comprises three specialized yet closely interlinked units:

• EU Defence Policies Unit is responsible forstrategic policy development: monitoring EU defence policies as well as legislativeinstruments, facilitating Member States' convergence vis-à-vis these initiativesand instruments, and providing direct contributions on request;
• Member States Support and Engagement Unit is the Agency's prime interface at policy level with Member States and third parties;
• Coordination and Management Unit is responsible forthe planning and coordination of EDA's and EPMO's activities and workstrands.It also acts as the secretariat of the Steering Board and that of the AgencyManagement Board.

4. DUTIES

Heads of Unit support the Head of EPMO in advising the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive in the implementation of their functions, notably in strategy and policy development. Under the supervision of the Head of EPMO, and in close cooperation with the operational Directors, Heads of Unit will contribute to the following activities:

• propose and develop strategy and policy positions, define and review EDA priorities and objectives in close cooperation with operational directorates and all EU institutional stakeholders;
• engage with Member States at policy level as well as third parties, including NATO;
• coordinate the development of the Agency’s planning framework, including budgetary aspects; provide final quality assurance of documentation, including outgoing correspondence; and supervise the secretariat of the Steering Board and the Agency Management Board;
• coordinate day-to-day support to top management, including briefings, speaking notes, reports of meetings, and coordinate cross-Directorate thematic files and contribute to the EDA transversal way of working;
• lead and manage the specific/designated functions within EDA Policy and Management Office including planning and organizing resources, the development and improvement of skills and knowledge, setting priorities and objectives, and acting as line manager;
• take on additional tasks as required in the interest of the service.

Duties may evolve depending on the development of EDA activities and 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 their full rights as citizens;
• have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the laws concerning military service;
• produce the appropriate character references as to their suitability for the performance of their duties (extract from the “judicial record” or certificate of good conduct will be requested prior to recruitment);
• be physically fit to perform their duties;
• have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1 oral and written) of one of the languages of the participating Member States and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2 oral and written) of another of these languages to the extent necessary to discharge their duties;
• have no personal interest (financial, family relationship, or other) which could be in conflict with disinterested discharge of their 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 ofeducation which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years or be a graduate of a national or international Defence College; or where justified in the interests of the service, professional training of an equivalent level.

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.

For diplomas awarded in non-EU countries, a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/

Qualifications/diplomas awarded until 31/12/2020 in the United Kingdom are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required.

For native English speakers, your ability to communicate in another EU language will be tested during the selection process. To assess your foreign language levels, see: https://europa.eu/europass/en/common-european-framework-reference-language-skills

6. SELECTION CRITERIA

Only applications meeting all essential selection criteria will be assessed.

(1) Professional

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the following qualifications:

• 10 years of professional experience in defence and security matters;
• extensive experience in political-military matters in the defence international environment;
• a proven track record in a strategy and/or policy department or ministerial cabinet of a national administration; or similar experience in an international organisation;
• very good knowledge of EDA;
• practical management experience;
• excellent oral (e.g. interventions in conferences) and written (e.g. drafting of strategic/conceptual documents, articles, and speaking notes) communication in English;
• a proven track record of delivering successful business outcomes.

(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:

• very good leadership and management skills;
• ability to prioritise tasks, coordinate a wide range of activities under pressure, and work under minimal supervision;
• strong motivation, flexibility and results-driven;
• strong conceptual, drafting, and analytical skills;
• ability to take and pursue appropriate initiatives under the general guidance of top management and to promote innovative ideas and concepts;
• strong team-working and networking in an international environment;
• genuine commitment to the Agency's objectives.

The following will be considered an advantage:

• a minimum of 15 years of professional experience acquired after the award of the qualification required as a condition of eligibility;
• direct experience in EU defence, either in the national system or in EU institutions.

7. APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR TEMPORARY AGENTS AT EDA

EDA, whose staff are governed by its own Staff Regulations, offers specific conditions of employment with regards to contract duration and pension arrangements.

CONTRACT DURATION

The Head of Unit will be appointed by the Chief Executive. Recruitment will be as a member of the temporary staff of the Agency for a 4-year period. Renewal is possible only once for an additional p eriod of 4 years, within the limits set out in the EDA Staff Regulations. The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent, gradeAD11. In line with EDA's Staff Regulations, the Agency does not offer inter-Agency mobility.

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENTS

The pay for this position consists of a basic salary of 12 907,41 € supplemented with various allowances including, as applicable, expatriation or family allowances. Successful candidates are graded on entry into service according to the length of their professional experience. Salaries are exempted from national tax, instead an Agency tax is deducted at source.

PENSION ARRANGEMENTS SPECIFIC TO EDA

Prospective staff members considering a career at the European Defence Agency (EDA) should be aware that EDA has its own pension provisions and is not part of the EU institutions' pension scheme (PSEUI).

In addition, EDA staff have several flexible options regarding their pension contributions at the end of their contract, under certain conditions, such as:

• transfer to a public pension scheme;
• transfer to a private pension scheme;
• direct payment as a severance grant.

For further information on working conditions please refer to: https://eda.europa.eu/jobs/what-we-offer

8. INDEPENDENCE AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The selected candidate 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 their independence.

9. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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.

11. DATA PROTECTION

Please note that EDA will not return applications to candidates. The personal information EDA requests from candidates will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) N° 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) 45/2001 and Decision No. 1247/2002/EC.

The purpose of processing personal data which candidates submit is to manage applications in view of possible pre-selection and recruitment at EDA. More information on personal data protection in relation to selection and recruitment can be found on the EDA website: http://www.eda.europa.eu/jobs/dataprotection