Project Manager - EU policies / Croatia / Just Transition Fund - 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

REGIO/COM/2026/1173

Directorate-General

REGIO - Regional and Urban Policy

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

24 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Project Manager - EU policies / Croatia / Just Transition Fund at European Commission based in Brussels at the AD5 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is REGIO/COM/2026/1173. It is hosted by REGIO - Regional and Urban Policy, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Regional Policies domain.

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> REGIO /COM/20 26 /1173

# 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

REGIO /COM/20 26 /1173

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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REGIO /COM/20 26 /1173

# Project Manager - EU policies / Croatia /

# Just Transition Fund

# Directorate - General for Regional and Urban Policy

# (DG REGIO ) of the European Commission

Selection reference: REGIO /COM/2026/1173

Domain: Regional policies

Where : Unit REGIO E2 - Croatia & Romania , Brussels

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

Grade range: AD5 -7

Publication deadline : 31/ 07 /202 6 - 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

Unit REGIO.E.2 is responsible for designing and implementing cohesion policy in Croatia and

Romania. Our mission is to ensure that cohesion policy funding for Croatia and Romania has a

positive impact on boosting investments in key areas such as smart and inclusive growth, research

and innovation, digitalisation, sustainable transport, energy, and environmental infrastructure.

These investments are fundamental preconditions for both countries to converge to EU level. At the

same time the EU funding overseen by our unit aims to increase effective investment in physical

and digital infrastructure, tourism and culture, education and health and address social challenges,

fight poverty and favour inclusion of the most deprived regions and vulnerable groups. The unit

cooperates with various Directorates -General (DGs) within the Commission, including DG EMPL, SG

REFORM, DG CLIMA, DG ENV, DG ENER, DG MOVE and others. The unit consists of 22 staff members

of different nationalities, representing a community of knowledgeable and friendly professionals

who support each other, share experiences, and promote good practices .

WE PROPOSE

A position for a Programme Manager, who, as part of a team, will contribute to the development

and implementation of cohesion policy programmes in Croatia, with a particular focus on just

transition in Croatia, sustainable development, environment, climate change, urban development

and specific territorial focus in Croatia. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring

close alignment of investments from European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion

Fund (CF) in these sectors with the European objectives covered by Policy Objective 2 “a greener,

low -carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting

clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investme nt, the circular economy, climate change

mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility” and

PO 5.4

REGIO /COM/20 26 /1173

The job entails a varied mix of activities ranging from conducting policy and socio -economic

analysis, analysis and negotiation of programming documents, monitoring of implementation of

programmes, including in respect of continuous fulfilment of enabling conditions, communicating,

and evaluating programmes, to the participation in monitoring committees and annual review

meetings and establishing effective partnership with Croatian authorities at the national and

regional level and other stakeholders.

You will be responsible for coordinating activities with other Commission services, notably DG ENV,

DG CLIMA, DG ENER, as policy DGs for Policy Objective 2. Close cooperation with DG ECFIN and SG -

REFORM will also be required, particularly in the context of the European Semester. These

responsibilities might imply a number of missions each year.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a dynamic, resourceful, motivated, and pro -active person, with a well -structured

approach to work.

The ideal candidate for the job should have a minimum of three years’ experience in the EU

programme management, EU funds and the EU policies with a focus on the sustainable

development sectors. Excellent communication, negotiation, organisational skills, and the ability to

analyse and contribute to policy conception are required. The job holder should thrive in a fast -

moving environment where adaptability to new priorities is a fundamental aspect of daily work.

Proficiency in English is essential. Knowledge of the institutional set -up and responsibilities at the

national and regional level is also an asset. 5

REGIO /COM/20 26 /1173

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 REGIO -CROATIA -

[email protected] indicating the selection reference REGIO/COM/2026/1173 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. 6

REGIO /COM/20 26 /1173

## 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 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),

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 20 July 2026, 6 days ago.

The application deadline is 31 July 2026, 3 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 24 July 2026 (2 days ago).

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 Regional Policies field browse our Regional Policies 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.