Security Officer - Investigations - 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.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Contribute to the gathering, analysis and processing of intelligence concerning espionage activities against the Commission
• Liaise and foster operational cooperation with member-state services, as well as with other European Institutions or other partners
• Conduct counter-intelligence investigations, performing the necessary investigative actions, and producing the corresponding written output
• Carry out individual security screenings and checks
• Participate in the Security Directorate's awareness-raising function by designing, organising and conducting counter intelligence security briefings for Commission services concerned
• Produce analytical products, reflecting on trends in the espionage threat landscape

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma
• Experience: Extensive relevant professional expertise gained from working on counter-intelligence in an international or national intelligence or security service environment
• Languages: English (C1-C2), French (B2)
• Key skills: Sound professional judgement, Solid investigative know-how, Strong reporting capabilities, Experience in conducting interviews, recording statements and (de)briefing persons of interest, Thorough understanding of the investigative actions and processes for counterintelligence, Strong analysis capability, Excellent drafting skills, Ability to produce threat assessments, security recommendations, counter-intelligence advice and briefing notes, Ability to provide policy, legal and/or strategic input on security-related topics, Experience with opensource intelligence
• Eligibility: Must be a citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen; must have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service; must be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post; must produce appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the duties; must either be a holder of a valid security clearance up to t…

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

• Submit CV and completed application form in a single PDF

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Temporary agent position.

Working arrangements: Flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking.

Hiring unit: Unit HR.DS.2 - Investigations & Analysis, Directorate-General Human Resources and Security (DG HR).

Position details

Reference

HR/COM/2026/1555

Directorate-General

HR - Human Resources and Security

Vacancy Notice

Download PDF

Last Verified

16 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Security Officer - Investigations at European Commission based in Brussels at the AD5 grade level (Temporary Agent). The vacancy reference is HR/COM/2026/1555. It is hosted by HR - Human Resources and Security, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Eu’S Internal And External Security domain.

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 fostering 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. 2HR/COM/2026/1555

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 time 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

1 Please note that the list of underrepresented Member States may be subject to future amendment based on potential data changes over time.

3HR/COM/2026/1555

Security Officer - Investigations

Directorate-General Human Resources and Security (DG HR) of the European Commission

Selection reference: HR/COM/2026/1555 Domain: EU’s internal and external security Where : Unit HR.DS.2 - Investigations & Analysis, Brussels Staff category and Function Group : Temporary agent 2b – Administrator Grade range: AD5-7 Publication deadline : 08.10.2026 - 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

We are HR.DS.2, the unit responsible for Investigations & Analysis within the Security Directorate of

DG Human Resources and Security. Our mission is to protect Commission’s staff (including the

members of the College), buildings and information by identifying and mitigating threats stemming

from terrorism, violent extremism, hostile intelligence and other sources.

The unit is composed of about 40 staff members, working in a dynamic and friendly environment.

The main tasks of the unit are counter-intelligence (CI) and counter-terrorism (CT) work, threat

assessments, cyber response (CART), and open source intelligence (OSINT). The unit is responsible

for carrying out security investigations in the fields of espionage and terrorism, as well as raising

awareness of staff, including the Commissioners and their Cabinet members and about CI and CT-

related security risks. The unit is the Commission's point of contact for Member States’ security and

intelligence services.

WE PROPOSE

We propose a position as analyst/investigator in the Counter-Intelligence (CI) sector, composed of

12 staff members. The sector is responsible for implementing the counter-espionage strategy of

the Commission, countering the activities of hostile intelligence services against the Commission

and carrying out internal security investigations to ensure the protection of Commission staff and

information alike. The successful candidate will be closely involved in this work, under the guidance

and supervision of the Head of Unit and Head of Sector. S/he will be expected to:

- Contribute to the gathering, analysis and processing of intelligence concerning espionage

activities against the Commission;

- Liaise and foster operational cooperation with the member-state services, as well as with other

European Institutions or other partners;

- Conduct counter-intelligence investigations, performing the necessary investigative actions, and

producing the corresponding written output;

- Carry out individual security screenings and checks;

- Participate in the Security Directorate's awareness-raising function by designing, organising and

conducting counter intelligence security briefings for Commission services concerned.

- Produce analytical products, reflecting on trends in the espionage threat landscape. 4HR/COM/2026/1555

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a committed, self-motivated and experienced candidate. S/he should have

extensive relevant professional expertise gained from working on counter-intelligence in an

international or national intelligence or security service environment.

The candidate should be able to demonstrate sound professional judgement, solid investigative

know-how, and strong reporting capabilities. S/he should be experienced in conducting interviews,

recording statements and (de)briefing persons of interest. The capabilities of the candidate in this

field should include a thorough understanding of the investigative actions and processes for

counterintelligence, with a solid knowledge and respect of the mechanisms ensuring these

investigations’ efficiency and legality.

The ideal candidate should have a strong analysis capability with excellent drafting skills, and

should be able to demonstrate his/her ability to produce, in a clear and concise manner, threat

assessments, security recommendations, counter-intelligence advice and other general or tailor-

made briefing notes. S/he should be able to provide policy, legal and/or strategic input on security-

related topics, when required. The ideal candidate should have experience with opensource

intelligence and should be a proficient user of case management systems.

The candidate should also possess strong interpersonal skills and should feel comfortable

delivering counter-intelligence briefings to smaller or larger audiences, including to the Institution’s

senior management. S/he should have the ability to liaise and foster operational cooperation with

the member-state services, as well as with other European Institutions or other partners.

The candidate should have good organisational skills, and should be able to prioritise and work

when necessary, within short deadlines.

Language proficiency in English is required (level C1-C2), both in terms of written production (notes

and reports) and oral delivery (presentations to smaller or larger audiences). Good knowledge of

French (minimum level B2) will be considered an asset.

The candidate/job holder must either be a holder of a valid security clearance up to the level of

"SECRET UE/EU SECRET" or be willing to undergo the national security vetting procedure (in order to

be allowed to perform her/his job). 5HR/COM/2026/1555

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 [email protected] indicating

the selection reference HR/COM/2026/1555 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. 6HR/COM/2026/1555

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.

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 8 September 2026, 8 days ago.

The application deadline is 8 October 2026, 20 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 16 September 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 Eu’S Internal And External Security field browse our Eu’S Internal And External Security 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.