Senior Policy Analyst – Hybrid threats

EU Institute for Security Studies; North Dakota; On-site; USD 90,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) in Paris seeks a Senior Policy Analyst to monitor hybrid threats and analyze responses. You will produce forward-looking analyses with policy recommendations and engage with EU institutions, member states and partners to strengthen resilience.

Reporting to the Director, you will join a team that informs EU policy, participates in events, and travels regularly to meet stakeholders across Europe and beyond.

Qualifications

• PhD or specialised Master’s degree in EU studies, security studies, or political science.
• Minimum eight years of professional experience in research, government, or international organisations.
• Excellent English writing and speaking; knowledge of another EU language.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver high-quality policy analysis.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and assess the evolution of hybrid threat actors, tools and tactics, with focus on policy implications.
• Analyse the effectiveness of EU and member state responses to hybrid threats.
• Build networks with EU institutions, member states and research institutes.
• Author and commission high-quality analyses with clear policy recommendations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Policy analysis

Education

PhD or specialised Master’s degree

Job description

Ref. EUISS (2026) PERM 03

Ref. EUISS (2026) PERM 03 Status: Contract staff member OR appointment by secondment

Grade: A2/A3

Place of employment: Paris

Starting date: September 2026

Salary

The salary scale of the EUISS is calculated according to that of the Coordinated Organisations to which grade A2/A3 makes reference, depending on the level of experience of the successful candidate. For a secondment, the salary will remain as determined (and paid) by the current employer plus a daily allowance paid by the EUISS.

Duration

• 3 years, renewable for up to 2 further years, if under the status of contract staff member.
• up to 2 years, renewable for a further period of 1 year maximum, if seconded.

Job Description

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is the EU agency that analyses foreign, security and defence policy issues. With its Headquarters in Paris and a Liaison Office in Brussels the Institute acts as a trusted interface between EU officials and member state diplomats and Europe’s wider think tank and scholarly community.

Through its publications and events, it works to enhance policymakers’ understanding of the underlying trends and complexity of a fast-changing world. It combines rigorous research with policy-relevant conclusions and recommendations. It has a solid track record of strengthening the links among EU think tanks working in the field of foreign, security and defence policy, thus helping to build a stronger EU strategic community and culture.

The post will focus on hybrid threats affecting the EU, including foreign information manipulation and interference, other malign influence operations, electoral interference, sabotage and threats to critical infrastructure, cyber-enabled coercion, grey-zone military activity, and the exploitation of political, societal, technological and economic vulnerabilities by hostile state and non-state actors.

The Senior Policy Analyst will report to the Director and join a highly qualified and motivated team whose mission is to provide expertise and insights to both EU and national officials.

Main Responsibilities

• Monitor and assess the evolution of hybrid threat actors, tools and tactics, with particular attention to their implications for EU foreign, security and defence policy.
• Analyse the effectiveness of EU and member state responses to hybrid threats, including strengthening resilience, deterrence, attribution, sanctions, strategic communication and cooperation with NATO and other partners.
• Build and maintain networks with relevant EU institutions, member state bodies, research institutes, technology actors and other stakeholders working on hybrid threats.
• Author and commission high-quality, forward-looking analyses, with clear policy recommendations for key EU actors.
• Organise events and meetings designed to disseminate EUISS research and analysis, as well as to inform decision-makers.
• Contribute to EUISS projects and wider Institute activities through analytical, written and oral inputs.
• Represent the Institute in Europe and beyond, including in relevant meetings of the EU, member states, international organisations and research institutes.
• Liaise with relevant policy departments and working groups across the European Union and its member states as well as other think tanks and the private sector.
• Travel on a regular basis, as required.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a national of a member state of the European Union who enjoys full rights as a citizen attested by a recent extract from judicial records and/or certificate of good conduct.
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by national law on military service.
• Be physically fit to perform the required duties.

Education

• A PhD or specialised Master’s degree, preferably in the field of EU integration, security studies, conflict studies, political science, international relations or a related field from a university of recognised global standing.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of eight years of professional work experience within one or more research, governmental, academic, or educational institutions, acquired after having obtained a Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated knowledge of EU and member state policies for countering hybrid threats, including resilience, deterrence, attribution, sanctions, strategic communication, cyber and critical infrastructure protection, and cooperation with NATO and like-minded partners.
• Strong understanding of how state and non-state actors use hybrid tools to exploit political, societal, technological and infrastructural vulnerabilities in Europe.
• Proven record of close collaboration and having established a network with relevant national diplomatic and EU institutions.
• Experience producing analysis for senior policy audiences, preferably in or around the EU or national governments, NATO or an international organisation.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, including the ability to identify and distil complex policy issues and propose viable reforms and solutions.
• Ability to translate technical or specialised threat assessments into clear, policy-relevant analysis for senior decision-makers.
• Proven ability to work well under pressure and to deliver high-quality results within tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment as a team member.
• High professional values and standards characterised by analytical rigour, integrity, and confidentiality.

Languages

• Excellent English writing and speaking skills are essential. Satisfactory knowledge of at least one other EU language is required.

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday 3 July 2026, 12:00 CET.

The Selection Board, chaired by the Director of the EUISS, will screen the applications and establish a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed. The interview will include a written test, the exact nature of which will be communicated to the candidates concerned in advance. Both interview and written test will be organised remotely.

Following the interviews and written test, the successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of three years with a nine-month probationary period (or an initial secondment for a period of up to two years).

All applicants will be informed of the results of their application by the end of the procedure.

The EUISS is an equal opportunities employer and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of age, racial or ethnic origin, political or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or family situation.

The processing of personal data by the EUISS is governed by Regulation (EU) 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) N° 45/2001 and Decision N° 1247/2002/EC. By submitting an application, the applicant consents to the processing of the personal data contained in the application form and the supporting documents enclosed therewith, in the sense of Article 5.1 (a) of the Regulation. The personal data in question is collected by the EUISS for the sole purpose of this selection process.