POLICY ANALYST – TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS / EU-NATO RELATIONS
Ref.: EUISS (2026) PERM 02
Status: Contract staff member OR appointment by secondment
Grade: A1
Place of employment: Paris OR Brussels
Starting date: as of 16 May 2026
Salary:
The salary scale of the EUISS is calculated according to that of the Coordinated Organisations to which grade A1 makes reference. For a secondment, the salary will remain as determined (and paid) by the current employer plus a daily allowance paid by the EUISS.
Duration:
The successful candidate will be offered a contract of
- 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 always 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 EUISS seeks to hire an experienced Policy Analyst who will work in transatlantic relations as well as EU-NATO relations, covering the full range of security challenges. The 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/national officials.
Main responsibilities:
- Contributing to the development of the EUISS work programme on the United States, transatlantic relations, and EU-NATO relations, including by identifying key priorities for action and analysis.
- Monitoring trends and policy developments related to EU-US relations, as well as transatlantic relations (North and South).
- Authoring and commissioning high-quality, forward-looking analyses, with clear policy recommendations for key EU actors (the EEAS, EU member states, the European Commission, and others).
- Organising events and meetings designed to disseminate EUISS research and analysis, as well as to inform decision-makers.
- Supporting the broader range EUISS activities through analytical, written, and verbal contributions.
- Representing the Institute within Europe and abroad, participating in relevant meetings of the EU, member states, international organisations and research institutes as required.
- Liaising with relevant policy departments and working groups across the European Union and its member states working on the United States, Canada and the wider transatlantic community.
- Travelling on a regular basis, 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 specialised Master’s degree, preferably in the field of international relations, security studies, EU integration, political science or a related field from a university of recognised global standing.
Professional experience:
- Minimum of four years of professional work experience with a research, governmental, academic, or educational institution, acquired after having obtained a Master’s degree. A proven record of collaboration with EU institutions and bodies would be a plus.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the EU’s relationship- with the United States, Canada and the wider transatlantic community as well as EU-NATO relations.
- Excellent knowledge of the European Union, its institutions and policies, especially in the area of foreign and security policy.
- Excellent analytical and writing skills, including the ability to identify and distil complex policy issues and propose viable reforms and solutions.
- Well-developed communication and drafting skills, with a demonstrated ability to write and present effectively to policy audiences.
- A record of policy-focused publications in the relevant fields.
- Proven ability to 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 as well as independently.
- High professional values and standards characterised by objectivity, 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.
Procedure:
All interested candidates must complete the online application form and attach:
- A detailed CV in English (with a clear indication of educational attainment and professional experience).
- A list of publications.
- Two writing samples of policy-relevant publications in English.
- A cover letter in English addressed to the EUISS Director.
- If applying for a secondment: a duly signed authorisation/letter of sponsorship from the current employer for the secondment to the EUISS.
Applications received by email, or post will not be considered. Only correctly and fully completed applications will be accepted.
NB: Regarding applications for the position under the status of secondment: in accordance with the rules applicable to secondments to the EUISS, a person seconded to the Institute remains in the service of their current employer and continues to be paid their salary by that employer. Therefore, to be considered in the selection process, candidates for a secondment to the advertised position must be sponsored by their current employer. Confirmation is required in the form of an employer authorisation/letter of sponsorship for the secondment to the EUISS by the application deadline. Applications without proof of such confirmation will not be considered for the next steps of the procedure.
The deadline for submitting applications is Friday 6 February 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 be completed through 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, race, political or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or family situation.
Any questions related to this selection procedure have to be submitted to EUISS Human Resources via the online contact form and indicating the reference of the vacancy notice.
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.