Policy Officer - European Commission (FGIV, 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:

• Coordinate implementation of the next Framework Programme for Research & Innovation
• Contribute to development of future research policy
• Support coordination of preparatory work for next Horizon Europe programming cycle
• Ensure coherence in preparation of work programmes in line with Horizon Europe legal framework
• Manage all communications activities of the unit
• Prepare communication materials related to key files and R&I days
• Reply to press queries
• Carry out analytical work and draft policy documents

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma
• Experience: Previous experience in policy coordination, preferably in R&I environment; experience in strategic programming or preparation and implementation of policy initiatives; previous experience in managing communication activities, preferably in European institutions
• Languages: English (C1), French (B2)
• Key skills: Very good knowledge of Horizon Europe programme and its stakeholders, Excellent drafting skills with experience in preparing policy papers, briefings, speeches and reports, Dynamic and friendly personality, Strong organisational skills, Strong social skills, Curious and proactive, Capable to work independently and as part of a team, Strong service-oriented mindset, Diplomatic skills
• Eligibility: Citizen of an EU Member State enjoying full rights as a citizen; fulfilled obligations concerning military service; physically fit to perform duties; appropriate character references; passed EPSO CAST in Function Group IV or registered in EPSO CAST database

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Selection unit chooses candidates from EPSO database with appropriate profile
• Candidates invited to interview
• Selection panel assesses candidates
• Selected candidate provides documentary evidence
• Mandatory pre-recruitment medical check-up

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 1 year, renewable one or more times up to maximum duration of 6 years.

Working arrangements: Brussels.

Hiring unit: Unit RTD.G3, Common Strategic Planning and Programming Service, DG Research & Innovation.

Position details

Reference

EC/2026/RTD/364261

Directorate-General

RTD - Research and Innovation

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

31 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Policy Officer at European Commission based in Brussels at the FGIV grade level (Contract Agent). The vacancy reference is EC/2026/RTD/364261. It is hosted by RTD - Research and Innovation, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Science And Research domain.

Policy officer

in DG Research & Innovation of the European Commission

Job title: Policy Officer

Domain: Science and Research

Where : Unit RTD.G3, Common Strategic Planning and Programming Service , Brussels

Function Gr oup : FG IV

Contract Type : CA 3b

Express your interest until : 14 .09 .202 6 - 12.00 (noon, Brussels time )

WE ARE

Unit G3 is the central coordination unit for the R&I framework programmes: the Framework

Programme and the main work programme. As part of the Common Policy Centre, we have a

corporate role, serving all Directorates -General in the research and innovation family. G3 develops

and steers the preparation of the Horizon Europe work programmes, including the preparation of

the next Framework Programme, taking into account scientific evidence, foresight, programme

assessments, and synergies with other MFF programmes. G3 is also responsible of ensuring the

horizontal policy integration and steers the interaction with the strategic configuration of the

Programme Committee (comitology committee). In this context, it is also responsible for the policy

aspects of national support mechanisms (national contact points).

WE PROPOSE

We offer a challenging, rewarding, and high -profile position in a dynamic, friendly, and productive

working environment. You will be part of a supportive and welcoming team, with a high level of job

satisfaction guaranteed.

In this role, you will primarily take part in the coordination of the implementation of the next

Framework Programme for Research & Innovation (R&I). You will contribute to the development of

future research policy, and you will support the overall coordination of the preparatory work for the

next Horizon Europe programming cycle, working closely with other Commission services to ensure

coherence in the preparation of work programmes, in line with the Horizon Europe legal framework

and the Commission’s priorities. Moreover, you will also be responsible for all communications

activities of the unit, in particular preparation of communication materials related to our key files ,

R&I days and replies to press queries.

Your tasks will also include carrying out analytical work and drafting policy documents to support

co -creation and coordination with other services. This includes preparing speeches, briefings, (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/364261 )

strategy papers, and background notes for senior management, as well as reporting from meetings

and contributing to presentations and internal communication activities.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a professional with previous experience in policy coordination, preferably in the

R&I environment.

- She/he would have a very good knowledge of the Horizon Europe programme and its

stakeholders.

- She/he would have experience in strategic programming or the preparation and

implementation of policy initiatives .

- She/he would have previous experience in managing communication activities , preferably in

the European institutions.

- She/he would have excellent drafting skills, with experience in preparing policy papers,

briefings, speeches and reports .

- She/he should be dynamic, friendly with strong organisational, drafting and social skills.

- She/he should be curious, proactive, and capable to work independently and as part of a

team.

- A strong service -oriented mindset and diplomatic skills are essential for success in this

multi -level coordination role.

- A very high level of English, both written and spoken. French and/or any other EU language

are an advantage.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

With a view to guarantee ing equal access to all, the Commission recruits from an open database of

spontaneous applications. The present call for interests aims at helping the recruiters to identify

potentially interested candidates within this database.

In practice, t o express your interest , please follow the subsequent two steps:

1. If you are not registered yet in the open EPSO database, please do so at the following

address: CAST Permanent . Please select under selection procedures for contract agent the

CAST permanent profile that best suits your education and experience.

2. 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 RTD-G3-CA-

[email protected] indicating the call for interest reference

EC/2026/RTD/364261 in the subject .

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/364261 )

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 contract 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 pos ition ;

- Produce the appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the

duties .

- Have passed an EPSO CAST in the relevant Function Group for this position. At the stage of

the application, it is sufficient to be registered in the EPSO CAST data base.

Qualifications:

(a) Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least

three 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.

Languages:

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

EU 2

- AND have a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) 3 of a second official language of

the EU , to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties.

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). 3For details on language levels, please see the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/en/resources/european -language -levels -cefr).

(Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/RTD/364261 )

➢ What about the selection steps?

The selecting unit chooses from the EPSO database 4 candidates with the appropriate profile and

invites them to an interview . For the interview a selection panel is set -up to assess the best

candidates. Due to the large volume of applications that we may receive only candidates selected

for the interview will be notified.

For operational reasons and in order to complete the selection procedure as quickly as possible in

the interest of the candidates and of the institution, the selection procedure will be carried out in

English

2. Recruitment

The candidate selected for recruitment will be requested to provide documentary evidence in

support of the statements made in the database and, where relevant, the call for interest .

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a mandatory pre -recruitment medical check -

up carried out by the Commission.

➢ Type of contract and working conditions

The place of employment will be in Brussels .

The successful candidate will be engaged as a contract agent under Article 3(b) of the

Conditions of Employment of Other Servants , in function group FG IV . General information on

Contract Agents can be found at this link .

The grade or proposed grade range , as well as the step in that grade , will be defined on the basis

of the candidates’ previous professional experience, in accordance with Commission Decision

C(201 7)6760 laying down the criteria applicable to classification in step on engagement .

[For 3b] The duration of the first contract will be 1 year. Subject to the interest of the service,

the contract may be renewed one or more times up to a maximum duration of 6 years.

The duration of the rene wal(s) will be defined according to the General Implement ing Rules in force

at that moment (currently , Commission Decision C(2017)6760 on policies for the engagement and

use of contract agents ).

4Therefore, candidates who did not pass already a CAST on the level Function Group IV, should register their profile at this address: https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/Cast-Permanent

Contract agents recruited in Function Group I V have to successfully complete a 9-month

probationary period.

The pay of staff members consists of a basic salary supplemented with specific allowances,

including, where applicable, expatriation and family allowances. The provisions guiding the

calculation of these allowances can be consulted in the Conditions of Employment of Other

Servants. As a member of staff of the European institutions, your pay is subject to a tax raised by

those institutions.

The European Commission applies a policy of equal opportunities and non -discrimination in

accordance with Article 1d of the Staff Regulations.

Should you need further information on working conditions, please refer to Working conditions and

benefits of EU Careers .

For information related to Data Protection, please see the Specific Privacy Statement under “7.

Information to data subjects on their rights”, to find your rights and how to exercise them in

addition to the privacy statement, which summarise s the processing of your data.

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at FGIV runs from €4,449 (step 1) to €5,034 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €53,388 to €60,408 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 €712 per month at step 1 of FGIV) 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 31 August 2026, today.

The application deadline is 14 September 2026, 13 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 31 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at FGIV see our FGIV 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 Science And Research field browse our Science And Research 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.