Information Systems Assistant - 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.

Key responsibilities

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

• Manage and maintain the Unit's IT infrastructure for various environments (OSINT, classified systems, etc.)
• Draft technical documentation
• Provide support to users
• Contribute to financial processes
• Administer and maintain end-user, network, security, server and storage hardware
• Administer and support virtualization and containerization products
• Administer and support middleware and application-level software (relational databases, application servers, mail servers)

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Post-secondary education attested by a diploma, or secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education
• Experience: At least 3 years of experience as a system administrator, or proof of a suitable certification or degree
• Languages: English (C1), French (B2)
• Key skills: Strong hands-on experience in secure systems administration, Profound knowledge in all aspects of Windows-based systems, Working knowledge of Linux-based systems, Experience in business analysis and translation of business needs to concrete IT solutions, Proven analytical and organisational skills, Good written and oral communication skills, Knowledge on contract management practices for the purchase of goods and services in relation with IT projects, Information retrieval from the Internet and Open Sources Intelligence (OSINT), IT Security: security policies, IT risk management, EUCI accreditation, technologies (encryption, TEMPEST, …), Document and knowledge management, data analytics
• Eligibility: Citizen of an EU Member State and enjoy full rights as a citizen; have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service; be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post; produce appropriate character references; must either be a holder of a valid security clearance up to the level of 'SECRET UE/EU SECRET' or be willing to undergo the national security ve…

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Temporary agent contract.

Working arrangements: Flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking.

Hiring unit: Unit HR.DS.2 - Investigations & Analysis, Directorate-General Human Resources and Security (DG HR).

Position details

Reference

HR/COM/2026/1906

Directorate-General

HR - Human Resources and Security

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

15 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Information Systems Assistant at European Commission based in Brussels at the AST1 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is HR/COM/2026/1906. It is hosted by HR - Human Resources and Security, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Eu’S Internal And External Security domain.

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 fostering 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. 2HR/COM/2026/1906 Version: 16/04/2026

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 time 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

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

3HR/COM/2026/1906 Version: 16/04/2026

Information Systems Assistant

Directorate-General Human Resources and Security (DG HR) of the European Commission

Selection reference: HR/COM/2026/1906

Domain: EU’s internal and external security

Where : Unit HR.DS.2 - Investigations & Analysis, Brussels

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

Grade range: AST1-3

Publication deadline : 09.10.2026 - 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

We are HR.DS.2, the Unit responsible for Investigations & Analysis within the Security Directorate of

DG Human Resources and Security. Our mission is to protect the Commission’s staff, assets and

information against all kind of threats stemming from terrorism, violent extremism, hostile

intelligence and other origins. The Unit is composed of about 40 staff members (including

Seconded National Experts), divided into four sections, working in a dynamic and friendly

environment. The main tasks of the Unit are counter-intelligence (CI) and counter-terrorism (CT)

work, threat assessments, cyber response (CART) and open source intelligence (OSINT). The Unit is

responsible for carrying out security investigations in the fields of espionage and terrorism, as well

as raising awareness of staff members, including Cabinets and Commissioners about CI and CT-

related security risks. The Unit is the Commission's point of contact for Member States’ security and

intelligence services.

WE PROPOSE

We propose an engaging and rewarding position as Information Security System Administrator,

offering an excellent opportunity for a candidate with a good sense of initiative and responsibility.

The Information Security System Administrator will perform the following basic tasks (non-

exhaustive list): manage and maintain the Unit’s IT infrastructure for various environments (OSINT,

classified systems, etc.), draft technical documentation, provide support to users, contribute to

financial processes, etc. The Information Security System Administrator will work within the

Investigations & Analysis Operational Support team of the Unit. The IT projects of the Unit are

developed in close cooperation with its end-users (i.e. analysts and investigators), as the IT is

integral part of the Operational Support concept.

WE LOOK FOR

We are a friendly and dynamic team, looking for a motivated, team-oriented colleague with good

interpersonal skills, strong self-organisation abilities, and a solid sense of judgement and

discretion. As our technical environment is constantly evolving, we value adaptability, initiative, and 4HR/COM/2026/1906 Version: 16/04/2026

a strong will to learn over a rigid set of specific tools. We are looking for a colleague who can

bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders and who has the drive to

introduce new, effective solutions.

An ideal candidate should have:

- At least 3 years of experience as a system administrator, or proof of a suitable certification or

degree.

- Strong hands-on experience in secure systems administration.

- Profound knowledge in all aspects of Windows-based systems in addition to a working knowledge

of Linux-based systems.

- Experience in business analysis and translation of business needs to concrete IT solutions.

- Experience with end-user, network, security, server and storage hardware administration and

maintenance.

- Experience administrating and supporting virtualization and containerization products.

- Experience administrating and supporting middleware and application-level software (relational

databases, application servers, mail servers).

- Proven analytical and organisational skills and good written and oral communication skills.

- Knowledge on contract management practices for the purchase of goods and services in relation

with IT projects.

In addition, the following expertise would be an asset:

- Information retrieval from the Internet and Open Sources Intelligence (OSINT).

- IT Security: security policies, IT risk management, EUCI accreditation, technologies (encryption,

TEMPEST, …).

- Document and knowledge management, data analytics.

The nature of work requires a good knowledge of English, and knowledge of French is an asset.

The candidate must either be a holder of a valid security clearance up to the level of "SECRET

UE/EU SECRET” or be willing to undergo the national security vetting procedure in order to be

allowed to perform her/his job. 5HR/COM/2026/1906 Version: 16/04/2026

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 [email protected] indicating

the selection reference HR/COM/2026/1906 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. 6HR/COM/2026/1906 Version: 16/04/2026

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.

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 11 September 2026, 4 days ago.

The application deadline is 9 October 2026, 22 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 15 September 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 Eu’S Internal And External Security field browse our Eu’S Internal And External Security 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.