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

European Defence Agency; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Defence Agency (EDA) in Brussels seeks a Head of Unit within the EDA Policy and Management Office (EPMO) to advise top management on strategy and policy development.

You will lead a unit, coordinate with EU institutions and Member States, and oversee planning and resource allocation to ensure delivery of agency priorities.

Qualifications

• Must be national of a Member State participating in the Agency.
• Must enjoy full rights as a citizen.
• Must have fulfilled military service obligations or be exempt.
• Provide character references as to suitability for duties.

Responsibilities

• Propose and develop strategy and policy positions, define and review EDA priorities in close cooperation with operational directorates and EU stakeholders.
• Engage with Member States at policy level as well as third parties, including NATO.
• Coordinate the development of the Agency’s planning framework and budgetary aspects; ensure quality of outgoing documentation; supervise the secretariat of Steering Board and Agency Management Board.
• Coordinate day-to-day support to top management, including briefings, notes, meeting reports, and cross-Directorate thematic files.
• Lead and manage the EDA Policy and Management Office functions, plan resources, develop skills, set priorities, and act as line manager.

Job description

208a - Head of Unit in the EDA Policy and Management Office (3 posts) at the European Defence Agency (EDA), Brussels, Belgium. Contract type: Agency’s Temporary Staff. Grade: AD11. Directorate: EDA Policy and Management Office (EPMO) . Reference: EDA/2026/208a. Security clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET. Application deadline: 2026-11-17.

BACKGROUND

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).

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.

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 Agency Management Board.

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.

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”