Secretary - European Commission (FGII, 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 incoming and outgoing documents for assigned group of National Agencies
• Ensure quality of formatting and respect of rules for outgoing documents
• Register relevant documents in appropriate IT tools and update follow-up tables
• Maintain electronic and paper files
• Contribute to circulation of general notes to National Agencies and National Authorities
• Distribute incoming mails to responsible desk officer and ensure follow-up of deadlines
• Manage translation requests for assigned documents and files
• Maintain lists of contacts and Outlook mailing lists for National Agencies

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: Appropriate professional experience of at least three years (if secondary education qualification)
• Languages: one of the 24 official languages of the… (C1), second official language of the EU (B2)
• Key skills: Dynamic and team player attitude, Ability to communicate orally and in writing to various interlocutors, Autonomy, Cooperative attitude, Proactivity, Strong organisational skills, Care for deadlines, Sense of service, Proficiency with Outlook, TEAMS, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Knowledge of EPSO CAST in relevant Function Group
• Eligibility: 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; physically fit to perform the duties; produce appropriate character references; have passed an EPSO CAST in the relevant Function Group or be registered in the EPSO CAST database

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Registration in EPSO CAST Permanent database
• Submission of CV and completed application form
• Selection of candidates from EPSO database by selecting unit
• Interview with selection panel
• Pre-recruitment medical check-up

Contract and working arrangements

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

Working arrangements: Place of employment will be in Brussels.

Hiring unit: Unit EAC.B.4 (Erasmus+ for all Unit in DG EAC).

Position details

Reference

EC/2026/EAC/323503

Directorate-General

EAC - Education, Youth, Sport and Culture

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

18 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Secretary at European Commission based in Brussels at the FGII grade level (Contract Agent). The vacancy reference is EC/2026/EAC/323503. It is hosted by EAC - Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Education domain.

Unit EAC.B.4 coordinates the implementation and further development of the Erasmus+ Programme (2021-2027) including the work-programme, general call and programme guide. It coordinates the network of National Agencies, established in the participating countries, who manage the decentralised strands of the Erasmus+ Programme and the European Solidarity Corps. It contributes to developing the IT system for managing the implementation of the programmes. The Unit’s responsibilities also include the design, preparation and negotiations for a future Erasmus+ programme post-2027. The Unit works in close cooperation with many thematic and horizontal units within DG EAC and beyond, as well as with the EACEA. The Unit is also in charge of coordinating the implementation of certain aspects of the European Solidarity Corps (indirect management by National Agencies).

The Unit consists of four different sectors and teams: (1) Erasmus+ Programming, evaluation and reporting; (2) Erasmus+ Design and Implementation; (3) Erasmus+ National Agency Management; (4) Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Business IT.

The Unit’s objectives are to:

- Ensure the smooth, efficient and coherent implementation of the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes in all participating countries;

- Deliver useful and user-friendly reference documents for the Erasmus+ and the future Erasmus programmes in all languages;

- Provide the expected business IT support to the National Agencies and meet Erasmus+ IT systems users’ needs;

- Maintain the constructive cooperation and positive interaction with the National Agencies and external stakeholders for an ongoing improvement of the Erasmus programme and of its implementation in the future (including synergies with the indirect management of the European Solidarity Corps by National Agencies);

- Coordinate the preparation of a proposal for the future Erasmus+ programme post-2027.

The Unit is made up of 40+ open, dynamic and friendly colleagues who work together in a positive environment, based on team spirit and cooperative attitude.

WE PROPOSE

The Erasmus+ for all Unit in DG EAC is seeking to hire one Secretary, who will provide administrative support for the files and relations with particular National Agencies and for

other tasks of the unit.

The position will consist of, amongst others:

- # Manage incoming and outgoing documents for the assigned group of National Agencies and other general tasks of the unit

- # Ensure quality of formatting and respect of rules for outgoing documents

- # Register relevant documents in the appropriate IT tools and update relevant follow-up tables

- # Maintain electronic and paper (where still needed) files

- # Contribute to the circulation of general notes to National Agencies and National Authorities.

- # Distribute incoming mails to the responsible desk officer and ensure follow-up of possible deadlines for replies

- # Manage translation requests for assigned documents and files

- # Maintain lists of contacts and Outlook mailing lists for National Agencies and National Authorities for assigned countries

- # Provide support for the use of word, excel and powerpoint

- # Provide backup to the unit secretariat

- # Help organize the logistics for a number of meetings with internal and external stakeholders

- # Organize missions for desk officers and management team

- # Update the register of expert groups under the responsibility of the unit. Prepare the reimbursement files of the experts

- # Manage financial virtual entity of the unit in the relevant IT tools

- # Provide secretarial assistance in creation and implementation of e-workflows with regard to financial procedures

- # Contribute to the design and maintenance of homogeneous methods and internal procedures compliant with applicable rules for the relevant financial and operational processes of the unit

- # Create and manage financial, budgetary and contractual files, both physical and digital

- # Provide information on financial, budgetary and contractual rules

- # Provide secretarial assistance to the unit with financial, budgetary and contractual rules, procedures and deadlines

- # Provide secretarial assistance with preparation and drafting of contractual documents

- # Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of secretarial operations in compliance with the Financial Regulation, contractual provisions and other applicable rules

- # Maintain follow-up tables as progress monitoring tools for staff and management

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a dynamic colleague eager to bring administrative support to a busy programme coordination Unit and able to work constructively as a team player as much as independently. A distinct ability to communicate orally and in writing to various types of interlocutors (inside and outside the Unit), autonomy, cooperative attitude, proactivity, strong organisational skills, care for deadlines and sense of service are among the qualities which would be highly praised. Experience in managing secretarial tasks in comparable teams would be an advantage.

A good command of English is required. The person should also be fully comfortable to work with the main office tools, including amongst others Outlook, TEAMS, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of specific IT tools and systems used in the European Commission (e.g. ARES, Interactio, Basis, AGM, Transparency Register, etc) relevant to the post would be an advantage.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

With a view to guaranteeing 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, to 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 [email protected] indicating the call for interest reference EC/2026/EAC/323503 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline.Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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 position;

- 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:

1. Have a level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma OR

2. 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.

Languages:

- have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1) of one of the 24 official languages of the EU1

- AND have a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2)2 of a second official language of the EU, to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties.

- # What about the selection steps?

The selecting unit chooses from the EPSO database3 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 and possibly in a second official language.

1. # 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 theConditions of Employment of Other Servants, in function group FG II.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(2017)67606760&lang=en)laying down the criteria applicable to classification in step on engagement.

The duration of thefirstcontractwill 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 renewal(s) will be defined according to the General Implementing Rules in force at that moment (currently, Commission Decision C(2017)67606760&lang=en) on policies for the engagement and use of contract agents).

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at FGII runs from €2,715 (step 1) to €3,072 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €32,580 to €36,864 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 €434 per month at step 1 of FGII) 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 18 September 2026, 2 days ago.

The application deadline is 1 October 2026, 10 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 18 September 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at FGII see our FGII 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 Education field browse our Education 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.