Secretary - to the Head of Unit - European Commission (AST-SC1, 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:

• Assist in welcoming and informing outside visitors in accordance with security regulations
• Participate in networks aiming at exchange of best practices and information
• Contribute with suggestions to upgrade organisation of the Directorate and its units
• Facilitate internal communication between the Units
• Provide support for the organisation, budgetary requests and reporting of meetings
• Record and route incoming correspondence, finalise and transmit outgoing correspondence
• Help to prepare briefing files for committees, conferences and other meetings
• Coordinate the storage, reproduction, translation, circulation and retrieval of documents

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: 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
• Experience: at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in administrative, secretarial or office support tasks
• Languages: English (C1), French (B2)
• Key skills: Very good organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload, set priorities and respect deadlines, Sound experience in coordinating agendas, organising meetings and events, handling correspondence and managing documents and records, Good drafting skills and the ability to prepare clear and accurate administrative documents and notes, Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work constructively with internal and external contacts in a multicultural environment, High sense of responsibility, discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information, Proactive, service-oriented attitude and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Good command of standard IT tools and office software relevant to the post
• Eligibility: Must be 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; be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post; produce the appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the duties

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• A selection panel will choose a limited number of candidates for interview, based on the CV and application form submitted
• Interview
• Pre-recruitment medical check-up

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Temporary agent.

Hiring unit: Unit E.2 – PROGRAMMING, CONTROL & REPORTING, DG ECHO, Brussels.

Position details

Reference

ECHO/COM/2026/1756

Directorate-General

ECHO - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

7 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Secretary - to the Head of Unit at European Commission based in Brussels at the AST-SC1 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is ECHO/COM/2026/1756. It is hosted by ECHO - European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Support Staff domain.

SECRETARY TO THE HEAD OF UNIT

DG ECHO of the European Commission

Selection reference: ECHO /COM/202 6/1756

Domain : CIVIL PROTECTION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE & HUMANITARIAN AID

Where : Unit E.2 – “PROGRAMMING , CONTROL & REPORTING ”, Brussels

Staff category and Function Gr oup : Temporary agent 2b

Grade: AST /SC 1-2

Publication deadline : 20.08.2026 - 12.00 (Brussels time )

WE ARE

ECHO E2 manages the horizontal processes related to the preparation and implementation

of the budget, strategic planning, budgetary reporting, internal control, compliance and

assurance processes, risk management, anti -fraud strategy, prevention of sexual

exploitation, abuse and harassment, DG ECHO external audits and their follow -up, as well

as the discharge in cooperation with operational units and central services (SG, BUDG, IAS,

OLAF). The unit is in the lead for relations with European Court of Auditor s, and the budget

authority (European Parliament – COBU, CONT – or Council Committees). The unit is also

responsible for the coordination of the ABM/SPP cycle (AMP, AAR, etc.), the annual

humanitarian aid report, the World Wide Decision (WWD) and the operational priorities

(GGOPHA). In addition, it is in charge of strengthening DG ECHO's overall evidence -based

capacity. This includes methodologies for humanitarian needs assessment and funding

allocations. The unit develops methodologies to measure the impact and cost -effectiveness

of humanitarian aid and civil protection operations.

WE PROPOSE

The role of the Secretary to the Head of Unit to provide organisational and

administrative support in the coordination of the activities of the unit, and more

specifically in the follow -up of internal procedures, communication actions, information

and document management, organisation of meetings, personnel administration and / or

logistic needs.

COMMUNICATION and PUBLICATION

- Assist in welcoming and informing outside visitors in accordance with security Selection reference ECHO/COM/2026/ 1756

regulations

- Participate in existing networks aiming an exchange of best practices and information

(e.g. Secretary Network)

- Contribute proactively with suggestions to upgrade organisation of the Directorate and

its units and ensure mutual support and sharing of expertise within the secretariat team

- Facilitate internal communication between the Units

OPERATIONAL and ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT and RESOURCES

- Provide support for the organisation, budgetary requests and reporting of meetings,

including reservation of rooms, checking / sending agenda, compilation of handouts,

reception and security arrangements and follow -up of minutes.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE

- Record and route incoming correspondence, finalise and transmit outgoing

correspondence, using archiving software (Ares) whenever necessary and ensure follow

up and respect of deadlines.

- Help to prepare briefing files for committees, conferences and other meetings.

- Co -ordinate the storage, reproduction, translation, circulation and retrieval of

documents, making sure that they are filed and secured in accordance with the

regulations in force.

- Checking the layout and presentation of the documents sent for approval to the Head

of Unit, Director and the Assistant (back -up). (EUROLOOK) and ensure a quality control of

the signataires

- Coordinate and contribute to administrative quality checks on files for signature.

OPERATIONAL and ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT and RESOURCES

- Provide assistance with the management of the unit by maintaining the diary,

answering the telephone, filtering calls and taking messages, responding to general

inquiries and managing the e -mail exchange and calendar.

- Handle appointments, documentation and follow up management meetings.

- Assist in the monitoring of procedures relating to personnel rights (leave, absences,…);

creation of draft job descriptions and draft vacancy notices in Sysper

- Take, transcribe and prepare notes, minutes, routine correspondence, presentations,

track deadlines and attribute the inter -service consultations and briefings.

- Support to the staff of the unit: organisation of arrivals/departures, mentor other

secretaries, support for travel arrangements, inform staff of related procedures.

- Ensure that space, infrastructure, office supplies, inventoried goods and other logistics

needs of the office are covered.

OPERATIONAL and ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT and RESOURCES

- Coach less experienced staff on organizational structure, administrative procedures

and processes, as well as Commission’s IT tools.

- Follow up administrative arrangements relating to the recruitment and arrival of new

officials. Selection reference ECHO/COM/2026/ 1756

- Manage information and procedures on missions, holidays, leave and absence records

and similar personnel administration formalities.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a dynamic and reliable colleague with proven experience in administrative

and secretarial support, capable of ensuring the smooth day -to -day functioning of the unit and

providing efficient assistance to management and team members.

The successful candidate should have:

- at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in administrative, secretarial or office

support tasks;

- very good organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload, set priorities and

respect deadlines;

- sound experience in coordinating agendas, organising meetings and events, handling

correspondence and managing documents and records;

- good drafting skills and the ability to prepare clear and accurate administrative documents and

notes ;

- strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work constructively with

internal and external contacts in a multicultural environment;

- a high sense of responsibility, discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information;

- a proactive, service -oriented attitude and the ability to work both independently and as part of

a team;

- good command of standard IT tools and office software relevant to the post.

- a very good knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of French would be considered an

asset. Selection reference ECHO/COM/2026/ 1756

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 ECHO -E2 [email protected]

indicating the selection reference ECHO /COM/202 6/1756 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. Selection reference ECHO/COM/2026/ 1756

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 either 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.

> 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).

Selection reference ECHO/COM/2026/ 1756

➢ What about the selection steps?

The post was published internally within the Commission, inter -institutionally, and brought to the

attention of competition laureates.

In accordance with Article 29 of the Staff Regulations, applications from Commission officials,

officials from other Institutions , and laureates of competitions have priority 3. If these candidates do

not best fit the requirements for the position, the Commission can recruit a temporary agent.

A selection panel will choose a limited number of candidates for interview, based on the CV and

application form that they submitted . Due to the large volume of applications, we may receive,

only candidates selected for the next step of the selection phase 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.

2. Recruitment

The c andidate selected for recruitment will be requested to supply documentary evidence in

support of the statements made in their application.

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 employ

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at AST-SC1 runs from €3,292 (step 1) to €3,725 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €39,504 to €44,700 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 €527 per month at step 1 of AST-SC1) 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 7 August 2026, today.

The application deadline is 20 August 2026, 11 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 7 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at AST-SC1 see our AST-SC1 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 Support Staff field browse our Support Staff 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.