Associate Analyst in the field of cyber diplomacy

Ref.: EUISS (2018) TEMP 004

Title: Associate Analyst in the field of cyber diplomacy

Temporary Staff Member

Place of employment: Brussels

Indicative starting date: 1 April 2018

Salary:

The successful candidate will receive a monthly salary of €3,500 a month, subject to national taxes and social insurance.

Duration:

The successful candidate will be offered an initial 2-year contract. As the position is linked to a specific project, an extension of the contract up to the end of the project (31 January 2021) may be possible.

Job description

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is an EU agency that analyses foreign, security and defence policy issues. With its headquarters in Paris and a liaison office in Brussels, it also acts as an interface between European experts and decision-makers at all levels.

The EUISS seeks to hire an Associate Analyst who will join a highly qualified and motivated team engaged in the implementation of the EU-funded project ‘EU Cyber Direct’. The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to participate in research, policy support, and outreach activities undertaken in the framework of the project.

The aim of the project is to promote EU engagement with strategic partners (Brazil, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the United States) in the field of cyber diplomacy and cyber resilience, in particular through the promotion of the application of existing international law to cyberspace, norms of responsible state behaviour, and confidence-building measures.

As part of the project team, the successful candidate will be involved in all project-related activities, including research and organisation of events such as seminars, conferences, workshops and track 1.5/2.0 dialogues with the strategic partners.

The job may involve travel outside of the place of employment.

Main responsibilities

Under the supervision of the EUISS Director and/or Project Coordinator, the Associate Analyst will be responsible for:

• Support to research and policy analysis, in particular with regard to the identification and assessment of stakeholders and their positions on relevant issues (i.e. international law, norms and CBMs);
• Policy analysis of key issues and opportunities for EU engagement with strategic partners and development of different analytical tools to prepare the EU’s international engagement, including legal analyses, case studies and lessons learned as a basis for further dialogue and consensus-building;
• Support to outreach activities, including dealing with logistical aspects of an event such as preparation and management of the events budget, preparation and diffusion of the programme, managing the event registration process, travel and accommodation arrangements for speakers and participants, as required.

Eligibility criteria

On the closing date for applications, candidates must fulfil all the following conditions:

•  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 minimum of a master’s degree in political science, international relations, security studies, international law or other relevant discipline.

Selection criteria

Essential

• At least one year’s experience of working for a research institute, think tank, governmental or non-governmental organisation or similar in cyber-related research and/or policy support projects;
• Excellent understanding of global debates related to stability in cyberspace, in particular concerning the application of existing international law to cyberspace, norms of state behaviour and confidence-building measures;
• A sound knowledge of EU institutions and of the EU’s cyber-related policies, in particular familiarity with the work of the EEAS and the broader European foreign policy and external action machinery;
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (full proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and diplomatic skills and an ability to operate in a multi-national setting;
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to prioritise and multitask;
• Sense of initiative.

Desired

• Experience with track 1.5/2.0 processes;
• Knowledge of the domestic and foreign policy of China and/or India;
• A proven record of collaboration with EU institutions and bodies.

Languages

• Excellent English writing and speaking skills; good command of another official EU language.

Procedure

All interested candidates must complete the online application form, and attach:

• A detailed CV (with a clear indication of educational attainment and professional experience);
• A list of relevant publications and research projects, if applicable;
• A cover letter addressed to the Director, outlining the reasons for the candidate’s interest in the position and the applicant’s main strengths and experience with cyber-related projects;
• The names of two referees, including their institutional affiliations and contact information.

Applications received by email, fax or post will not be considered. Only correctly and fully completed applications will be accepted.

The deadline for submitting applications is 28 February 2018, 1800 CET.

The Selection Board, chaired by the Director of the EUISS, will screen the applications and establish a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed via conference call. Candidates retained after this initial interview will then be invited for a second interview in person, which may be followed by a written test, the exact nature of which will be communicated to the candidates concerned in advance.

Following the interviews, the successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of two years with a nine-month probationary period.

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, race, political, philosophical 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 (EC) N°45/2001. 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 (a) of the Regulation. The personal data in question is collected by the EUISS for the sole purpose of this selection process.

Complaints: Candidates have the right to address to the Director of the EUISS an administrative complaint under Article 30.1 of the EUISS Staff Regulations. The complaint must be directed against an act that adversely affects their legal status as a candidate.

Candidates also have the right to submit an appeal to the EUISS Appeals Board, under Article 30.3 and Annex X of the EUISS Staff Regulations. Appeals are not admissible before an administrative complaint has first been made.

Candidates can make a complaint to the European Ombudsman. It should be noted that, under Article 2(4) of the general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties, any complaint lodged with the Ombudsman must be preceded by the appropriate administrative approaches to the institutions and bodies concerned.

Should a candidate have any questions related to the current vacancy notice or the selection procedure or the procedure to follow in case they want to lodge a complaint, they should contact Human Resources using the online contact form and indicating the reference of the vacancy notice.