Head of Sector in the Budget and Financial Affairs Service - EUI (AD5, Florence)

About this position

The summary below is published by EUI on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Lead and coordinate one of two strategic areas: Remuneration and Pay or Financial Documents Supervision and Internal Control
• Manage end-to-end salaries, pensions, grants, and traineeships processing
• Oversee quality of financial transactions and supporting documentation
• Ensure compliance with Financial Rules
• Act as Verifying Agent and/or Authorising Officer in SAP
• Lead and manage the team
• Contribute to recruitment and staff development
• Represent the Budget and Financial Affairs Service in relevant meetings

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years
• Key skills: Ethics and integrity, Working in a multicultural environment, Accountability, Delivering quality and results, Knowledge of Processes & Procedures, Working with others, Problem solving, Resilience, Team Management, Confidentiality
• Eligibility: National of a Member State of the European Union; enjoying full rights as a citizen with no previous conviction for criminal or administrative offence; fulfilled any obligations imposed by laws on military service; physically fit to perform the duties

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Selection based on qualifications and tests
• Written test
• Interview

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Temporary agent post, type 2a CEOS, AD 5.

Hiring unit: Budget and Financial Affairs Service (BFA).

Position details

Reference

BFA.1.2026

Last Verified

24 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of Sector in the Budget and Financial Affairs Service at EUI based in Florence at the AD5 grade level. The vacancy reference is BFA.1.2026.

1

VACANCY NOTICE V/AD/BFA/1/2026

The European University Institute (EUI), based in Florence , Italy

is organising a selection procedure based on qualifications and tests

to draw up a reserve list 1 for the post of

HEAD OF SECTOR

in the Budget and Financial Affairs Service

(Temporary agent post, type 2a CEOS, AD 5 2)

The European University Institute (EUI), founded in 1972 and located in Florence, Italy, is a

treaty-based post-graduate institution dedicated to advanced research and training with a unique

European focus.

We seek an experienced professional to lead and coordinate one of the strategic areas within our

Budget and Financial Affairs (BFA), supporting the Institute’s mission through excellence in

financial management. Reporting to the Director , the role ensures the coordination of one of the

two key areas within the BFA: Remuneration and Pay and Financial Documents

Supervision and Internal Control .

The position ensures accurate payroll processes, reliable financial transactions, and strong internal

controls, while driving digitalisation, automation of administrative workflows and continuous

improvement. This role supports transparency, efficiency, and high‑quality service for a diverse

international academic community. Candidates will be asked to choose their preferred area in the application form, based on their

qualifications, experience and interests.

Who We Are

The European University Institute (EUI) at a glance:

 an international organisation set up in 1972;

 a research university focusing exclusively on post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral studies,

and advanced research ;

 located in the hills overlooking the city of Florence, Italy.

The Institute also hosts the Historical Archives of the European Union.

Learn more about the European University Institute.

> 1The reserve list may be used to fill similar vacant future positions in other units of the European University Institute. Cf. President’s decision No 15/2021of 27 April 2021 laying down a procedure for the use of reserve lists . > Candidates recruited to fill additional positions may be appointed under a temporary agent contract of type 2a or > 2b (Cf. articles 2a and 2b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the EUI ), subject to post > availability and the strategic or operational needs of the EUI”. > 2Cf. Annex II

2

Our Unit

The Budget and Financial Affairs Service (BFA) plays a central role in ensuring sound,

efficient, and forward-looking financial management at the European University Institute.

The Service supports the President, the Secretary General, and the Chief Operating Officer in shaping and implementing the Institute’s financial strategy, while providing operational and advisory support to academic and administrative units in achieving their institutional objectives in research and teaching, as defined in the Convention setting up the Institute.

BFA oversees the entire budgetary cycle — from the preparation of the annual draft budget and medium-term financial planning, to budget execution, monitoring, and reporting, up to the discharge of the President. It also ensures the effective management of the EU Operating Grant and other external funding sources.

BFA provides financial advice and analytical support, facilitates procurement processes, and supports services in the planning and execution of their budgets, including both internal appropriations and externally funded activities.

The Service contributes to the modernisation of administration by promoting simplification, digitalisation, and automation of financial processes, with the aim of enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability across the Institute.

BFA is also responsible for the accurate calculation and payment of salaries, pensions, and related statutory rights for all categories of staff, as well as for the management of grants and traineeships.

Your Key Responsibilities

The European University Institute (EUI) seeks an experienced professional to coordinate

one of the strategic areas within the Budget and Financial Affairs (BFA): Remuneration and Pay and Financial Documents Supervision and Internal Control:

Remuneration and Pay

Responsible for the end-to-end management of salaries, pensions, grants, and traineeships, this area ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll-related activities. It also contributes to the reporting and monitoring of staff-related expenditure, supporting financial planning and informed decision-making. In addition, it promotes the continuous improvement, digitalisation, and optimisation of remuneration processes, while maintaining a high level of service quality.

Financial Documents Supervision and Internal Control

This area ensures the oversight and quality of financial transactions and supporting documentation, promoting consistency and reliability across financial operations. It supports the effective application of internal procedures and contributes to strengthening internal controls and risk awareness, while fostering transparency and a sound financial management culture across the Institute. The role also contributes to the continuous modernisation and digitalisation of financial administration at the Institute. 3

The main responsibilities of the role include:

Strategic and Expert Leadership

The Head of Sector acts as the subject-matter expert for the assigned area of responsibility (Remuneration and Pay or Financial Documents Supervision and Internal Control), ensuring the quality, timeliness and reliability of outputs. The role supports the Director in identifying risks, challenges and opportunities for improvement, and actively promotes innovation, simplification, digitalisation and optimisation of financial processes.

Governance, Compliance and Operational Accountability

Reporting directly to the Director, the Head of Sector operates with a high level of autonomy and accountability. The role ensures compliance with Financial Rules, oversees and validates financial transactions and supporting documentation, contributes to internal control and risk awareness, and acts as Verifying Agent and/or Authorising Officer in SAP.

People Management and Stakeholder Engagement

The Head of Sector leads and manages the team, contributes to recruitment and staff development, fosters a collaborative working environment and acts as a member of Selection Boards when required. The role represents the Budget and Financial Affairs Service in relevant meetings and acts as a key contact point for internal and external stakeholders.

Financial Accountability, Systems and Process Development

The role contributes to budget preparation, monitoring and reporting, including analysis of staff-related expenditure. The Head of Sector coordinates administrative processes, provides guidance on financial procedures, acts as Key User for SAP and organises internal training activities.

Your Key Competencies

All staff at the EUI share the following competencies:

• Ethics and integrity

• Working in a multicultural environment

• Accountability

• Delivering quality and results

Competencies specific to the unit and role include the following:

• Knowledge of Processes & Procedures

• Working with others

• Problem solving

• Resilience

• Team Management

• Confidentiality

• Creativity & Innovation

• Communication

• Strategic thinking

• Coaching skills 4

The competencies mentioned above may be assessed at the written test and/or interview stage. Read more on EUI Competency Framework

What We Offer

• A vital role in creating a conducive environment for scholars in Europe’s research university with a focus on master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral studies in the social sciences and humanities;

• The opportunity to join a truly multicultural community of more than 1000 academics and professionals at all career stages of approximately 85 different nationalities working on

the future of the European project;

• The commitment to a genuine culture of equality, diversity and inclusiveness, and to attracting, encouraging and retaining a diverse and highly qualified workforce;

• A world-class research library, the Historical Archives of the European Union, and many other excellent research facilities;

• Language courses and soft skills training opportunities;

• Access to all EUI facilities: library, crèche, cafeteria, gym, participation in seminars and workshops;

• A competitive salary package including health and pension plan;

• A healthy work-life balance in a family-friendly environment.

Read more on Work and Life of EUI Staff .

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically using the AD/BFA/1/2026 online application form

available at https://www.eui.eu/About/JobOpportunities/Open-competitions-foradministrative-

posts

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:

5 June 2026 - 23:59 CEST

Before completing the online application form you are invited to read ANNEXES I &

II that represent an integral part of this vacancy notice.

***

Annex I – Eligibility and Selection Criteria

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

On the closing date for online applications, you must fulfil all the following general

and specific conditions:

1. General conditions

• Being a national of a Member State of the European Union; 5

• Enjoying full rights as a citizen attested by a recent extract from judicial records and/or certificate of good conduct proving no previous conviction for a criminal or administrative offence that could call into question his/her suitability for performing the duties of the post;

• Having fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws on military service;

• Being physically fit to perform the duties. 3

2. Specific conditions

2.1. Education (Qualifications)

• A level of education, which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AD5 runs from €6,153 (step 1) to €6,961 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €73,836 to €83,532 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €984 per month at step 1 of AD5) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Florence. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 28 May 2026, 69 days ago.

The deadline of 5 June 2026 has now passed and this position is no longer accepting applications. Browse other current openings via the links below.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 24 July 2026 (12 days ago).

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AD5 see our AD5 grade page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.