Assistant Case Handler - European Commission (AST1, Brussels)

About this position

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

Position details

Reference

TRADE/COM/2026/1197

Directorate-General

TRADE – Trade

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

6 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Assistant Case Handler at European Commission based in Brussels at the AST1 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is TRADE/COM/2026/1197. It is hosted by TRADE – Trade, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Trade domain.

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> TRADE /COM/ 2026/1197

# MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Do you want to help shape the future of the European Union? Make the planet greener,

promote a fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU ? Then come and

work for the European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and

the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union.

Different nationalities, backgrounds, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and

inclusive place to work .

WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interesting and challenging jobs with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring

new skills and competencies throughout your whole career

• Opportunities to move between different policy areas throughout your career

• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we

care about your work -life balance

• A competitive financial package, including comprehensive healthcare , accident and

pension schemes

• A multilingual, multicultural workplace where personal and career development are

strongly promoted

• Multilingual schools for your children

We recruit from a wide range of backgrounds and actively promote diversity and

inclusion:

We do not only recruit political scientists and lawyers but are also looking for all kinds of

profiles, including scientists, linguists , IT experts, data analysts and economists, as well as drivers

and engineers.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to foster ing a rich, diverse and inclusive working

environment. We aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly

welcome applications from all qualified candidates . We actively seek to create a workplace where

each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full

potential. 2

TRADE /COM/ 2026/1197

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates , we strongly

encourage applicants from Member States which are currently underrepresented in the European

Commission workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, the Czech

Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg,

Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden 1. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the

merits of all applicants and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member

State.

For more information ec.europa.eu/work -with -us

STAFF RECRUITED ON CONTRACTS

In addition to permanent officials, the European Commission offers non -permanent positions .

There are two categories of non -permanent staff:

> •

temporary agents are recruited to fill vacant positions for a set amount of ti me or

to perform highly specialised tasks .

> •

contract agents may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an

insufficient number of officials is available or carry out a number of administrative or

manual tasks. They are generally recruited for fixed -term contracts (maximum 6 years in

any EU Institution), but in some cases they can be offered contracts for an indefinite

duration (in offices, agencies, delegations or representations).

For more information on different staff categories

> 1Please note that the list of underrepresented Member States may be subject to future amendment based on potential > data changes over time.

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TRADE /COM/ 2026/1197

# Assistant Case Handler

# Directorate - General for Trade and Economic Security (DG

# TRADE ) of the European Commission

Selection reference: TRADE /COM/ 2026/ 1197

Domain *: Trade

Where : Unit TRADE. G.2 , Investigations I. Relations with Member States for Trade Defence Matters , Brussels

Staff category and Function Group : Temporary agent 2b - Assistant

Grade range: AST 1 -3

Publication deadline : 19 August 202 6 - 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

DG Trade and Economic Security is in charge of leading the EU’s common commercial policy , one of

the exclusive competences of the EU. Trade policy plays a critical role in enhancing the EU’s

economic competitiveness, shaping globalisation and defending the EU from unfair trade practices

and threats to its economic security.

As an important part of its trade policy, the EU makes use of available autonomous tools such as the

EU Trade Defence Instruments (TDI , anti -dumping, anti -subsidy and safeguards). These tools ensure

a level playing field in international trade.

The EU policy of TDI , their implementation and execution are centralized in Directorate G of DG

Trade and Economic Security, under the supervision of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer.

Unit TRADE.G.2 is responsible for carrying out trade defence investigations and for the relations with

EU Member States on trade defence matters. The Unit offers a challenging and dynamic working

environment and is composed of a motivated team of 24 colleagues.

WE PROPOSE

We propose an interesting Assistant Case Handler position to support trade defence investigations

(anti -dumping, anti -subsidy, safeguards). As part of a team of at least two members, the successful

candidate will follow all aspects of the investigations. Th ese task s include the collection and analysis

of data; verification visits in and outside the EU; the calculation of duties; the contacts with

exporters and EU producers; the drafting of administrative notes and proposals to the hierarchy as

well as the drafting of implementing legal acts; the presentation of findings of the investigation to

interested parties; to follow the administrative procedures, including the written procedure for the

adoption of the legal acts within the deadlines. In sum mary , this is a varied, interesting and 4

TRADE /COM/ 2026/1197

challenging job in a dynamic environment , involving interactions with economic operators. The job

requires frequent travel , either within the Union or to third countries.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic team player who is eager to learn and possesses

excellent inter -personal and organisational skills . The successful candidate should have a basic

knowledge of trade issues and policy , along with experience in accounting and/or financial auditing .

Solid Excel skills are essential, while analytical skills, accuracy, and good diplomatic skills are equally

important. The successful candidate must also have a strong command of English , including the

ability to draft administrative and legal texts. DG Trade and Economic Security provides an

introduction course on trade defence instruments for new officials in Directorate G.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order:

1. your CV

2. completed application form.

Please send these documents by the publication deadline to TRADE -G2 [email protected] indicating

the selection reference TRADE /COM/ 2026/ 1197 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. 5

TRADE /COM/ 2026/1197

## ANNEX

## 1. Selection

➢ Am I eligible to apply?

You must meet the following eligibility criteria when you validate your application :

Our rules provide that you can only be recruited as a temporary agent at the European Commission if you:

General criteria:

• Are a citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen

• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service

• Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post

• Produce the appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the duties.

Qualifications:

In order to be recruited for this position, you must have at least

• a level of post -secondary education attested by a diploma, or

• a level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post -secondary

education, and appropriate professional experience of at least three years. .

Only qualifications issued or recognised as equivalent by EU Member State authorities (e.g. by the

Ministry of Education) will be accepted. Furthermore, before recruitment, you will be required to

provide the documents that corroborate the eligibility criteria (diplomas, certificates and other

supporting documents).

Languages:

> •

have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1) of one of the 24 official languages of the

EU 2

• AND a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of a second official language of the EU,

to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties.

➢ What about the selection steps?

The post was published internally within the Commission, inter -institutionally, and brought to the

attention of competition laureates.

> 2The official languages of the European Union are: BG (Bulgarian), CS (Czech), DA (Danish), DE (German), EL > (Greek), EN (English), ES (Spanish), ET (Estonian), FI (Finnish), FR (French), GA (Irish), HR (Croatian), HU > (Hungarian), IT (Italian), LT (Lithuanian), LV (Latvian), MT (Maltese), NL (Dutch), PL (Polish), PT (Portuguese), RO > (Romanian), SK (Slovak), SL (Slovenian), SV (Swedish).

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TRADE /COM/ 2026/1197

In accordance with Article 29 of the Staff Regulations, applications from Commission officials,

officials from other Institutions , and laureates of competitions have priority 3. If these candidates do

not best fit the requirements for the position, the Commission can recruit a temporary agent.

For temporary agents under Article 2(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants , the

post is published directly on the EPSO website, without mandatory prior internal publication .

A selection panel will ch

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AST1 runs from €3,754 (step 1) to €4,248 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €45,048 to €50,976 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 €601 per month at step 1 of AST1) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Brussels. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 27 July 2026, 10 days ago.

The application deadline is 19 August 2026, 12 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 6 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AST1 see our AST1 grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at European Commission see the European Commission institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Brussels see our Brussels location page; for related vacancies in the Trade field browse our Trade domain 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.