Policy Officer - European Commission (AD5, 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/2026/1530

Directorate-General

TRADE – Trade

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

6 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Policy Officer at European Commission based in Brussels at the AD5 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is TRADE/COM/2026/1530. 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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# 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

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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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# Policy Officer – Digital Trade Negotiator

# Directorate - General Trade and Economic Security (DG

# TRADE ) of the European Commission

Selection reference: TRADE /COM/202 6/1530

Domain : TRADE – EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Where : Unit B.3 - Digital Trade, Intellectual Property and Public Procurement , Brussels

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

Grade range: AD5 -7

Publication deadline : 13 .08 .202 6 - 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

DG Trade and Economic Security has the task of conducting the EU trade policy, one of the

exclusive competences of the EU. Trade policy plays a critical role in building global partnerships,

enhancing the EU’s economic competitiveness, and defending the EU from unfair trade practices

and threats to its economic security.

The mission of the Unit TRADE.B.3 is to advance the EU’s trade and economic security policy

objectives in three areas: Digital Trade, Intellectual Property, and Public Procurement.

The Unit develops and implements the EU’s Digital Trade policy, aiming to agree on binding rules in

the digital domain that connect the EU’s economy with other centres of growth around the world, to

ensure the EU’s competitiveness, protect its economic security, and to promote its values. The Unit’s

engagement covers bilateral negotiations of both Digital Trade chapters in the EU’s trade

agreement and standalone Digital Trade Agreements, plurilateral engagement in the context of the

WTO’s E -commerce Joint Statement Initiative, and multilateral work in the WTO’s Work Program me

on E -commerce. On Intellectual Property (IP), the Unit develops and implements the EU's external IP

policy, promotes effective protection and enforcement of IP rights worldwide, seeking to establish a

level playing field by promoting coherent and predictable IP regulatory frameworks that facilitate

cross -border trade and ensure robust protection for EU’s innovators and creators. In the area of

Public Procurement, the mission of the Unit is to ensure that transparency, competitiveness, non -

discrimination and the rule of law become the standard for public procurement worldwide. 4

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WE PROPOSE

We propose an interesting Policy Officer position for an enthusiastic and highly motivated

colleague to join a dynamic negotiating team working on digital trade. This position offers the

opportunity to work at the intersection of trade policy, digital issues, and international negotiations.

As a member of the Digital Trade Sector, the selected candidate will monitor and analyse global

policy developments and third -country positions to inform and develop EU’s negotiating positions in

bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral negotiations on digital trade. The selected candidate will

prepare the substantive and technical basis for these positions and assist in preparing and carrying

out negotiation rounds and will also contribute to drafting EU policy and legislative documents

relating to digital trade.

In addition, the selected candidate will represent the DG in technical meetings and working groups,

provide briefings to senior officials, and contribute to internal reporting on developments in the

digital trade field. Throughout this work, the selected candidate will coordinate closely with other

Commission services, Member States, and external stakeholders to ensure a consistent and robust

EU negotiating stance.

The position may involve regular international travel.

WE LOOK FOR

The ideal candidate should demonstrate excellent analytical and conceptual skills, combined with

the ability to draft clearly and present complex issues effectively.

The candidate should demonstrate a solid understanding of the EU regulatory framework relating

to digital trade or general trade policy.

A legal background and experience with the internal working procedures of the Commission would

be a strong asset.

The candidate should have a proven ability to negotiate and represent the Commission in various

fora, while ensuring effective cooperation with Member States, the European Parliament, and

external stakeholders. Initiative, strong policy development skills, and the ability to work in close

coordination with other services within DG TRADE and across the Commission are essential.

The position also requires excellent communication skills, the ability to master technical details, and

the willingness to learn the relevant EU acquis, while understanding and assessing third countries

laws. Good knowledge of the EU’s digital acquis would be an asset, as would strong interpersonal

skills and experience in international negotiations. 5

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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 -b3 [email protected]

indicating the selection reference TRADE /COM/202 6/1530 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. 6

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## 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 education which

corresponds to completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma.

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

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 Brussels. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 30 July 2026, 6 days ago.

The application deadline is 13 August 2026, 6 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 AD5 see our AD5 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.