European Commission

Vacancy notice COM/2025/56 (Status: Published)

POLICY OFFICER - ECONOMIC COUNSELLOR IN A REPRESENTATION (AD5/AD12)

COMM.DGA1.C.BR Bratislava - Representation in Slovakia
BRATISLAVA(Slovakia)
COM number: COM/2025/56 Publication: from 10/01/2025 to 31/01/2025 until 12.00 hours
noon Brussels time
Vacancy open to candidates from other institutions: yes
Vacancy open to candidates from EPSO reserve list: yes

Job Properties
Job ID: 209475
Job available from: 01/09/2025
Management job: no
Budget: Administration
Security clearance required: no

We are
DG Communication (DG COMM) is a corporate communication service working under the responsibility of the President. We
promote and support the political priorities of the European Commission and contribute to bringing Europe closer to its citizens.
The Representations act as the official representatives of the Commission in each Member State and serve the interests of the
whole institution under the guidance of DG COMM. To bring the implementation of the European Semester of economic
governance closer to the Member States and to step up its country-specific dimension, the Representations are staffed with
European Semester Officers. DG COMM is associated with the SG and DG ECFIN as one of the three services responsible for
this job opportunity at the Representation of the European Commission in Bratislava.
The Recovery and Resilience Task Force will be succeeded by the Task Force SG REFORM, effective 1 February 2025. SG
REFORM will remain part of the Secretariat General and oversee the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility
(RRF), as the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU, with an overall committed volume of EUR 650bn. The RRF covers a broad
range of areas and is closely aligned with the Commission’s priorities, making the EU economy more competitive, sustainable
and inclusive while promoting the green and digital transitions. The focus of SG REFORM is on monitoring the implementation
of the reforms and investments to which the Member States have committed in their Recovery and Resilience Plans (RRPs)
and REPowerEU chapters. Economic Counsellors are placed at the disposal of SG REFORM for the duration of the
implementation of the RRF. They are an integral part of the relevant country team, in charge of the assessment of the national
Recovery and Resilience Plan and the monitoring of its implementation as well as the work on the European Semester,
together with the colleagues from SG REFORM and DG ECFIN.

We propose
We propose an important and challenging post in the Representation of the European Commission in Bratislava, which will
focus on the country-specific dimension of the European Semester and the implementation of the RRF. The successful
candidate will work as part of the Representation (DG COMM) staff, placed at the disposal of SG REFORM for the duration of
the implementation of the RRF, and with close links also to DG ECFIN and DG COMM. S/he will contribute to the country
specific work linked to the implementation of the RRF, in particular to the support to the respective Member State in the
implementation of its RRP, and to the outreach and communication activity linked to the RRF. S/he will also continue to play a
Jan 10, 2025 4:23 PM
key role in the European Semester and will maintain an ongoing exchange of information and policy dialogue with the national
and regional authorities and key national stakeholders.

We look for
We are looking for a colleague with very good experience of the Commission policies and priorities. Familiarity with the
European economic governance system and the Recovery and Resilience Facility is desirable. The candidate should have a
broad knowledge of economics and be a good communicator. S/he should be able to work both on his/her own initiative and as
part of a team and to demonstrate that s/he can cooperate effectively with colleagues within and outside the Representation.
The candidate should have very good analytical and communication skills with a strong sense of initiative and responsibility. As
an Economic Counsellor who will be part of the Representation team s/he will report to – apart from the Head of
Representation – SG REFORM for the duration of the implementation of the RRF, and maintain close contacts with DG ECFIN
and DG COMM. In addition to a very good command of English, a good knowledge of Slovakian will be an asset.

Recruitment policy
The European Commission is committed to offering equal opportunities to foster a rich, diverse and inclusive working
environment. The European Commission strongly welcomes applications from all qualified candidates and actively seeks to
create a workplace where each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and develop to their full potential.
DG COMM applies an equal opportunity policy – in case of equal candidates, preference will be given to the gender in minority
in team/category. DG COMM is aware of the importance of equal opportunities, of a long-life training and an optimum
conciliation between professional and private life.
The duration of the posting is limited to 5 years according to the rotation rules (C/2008/3983). In addition, the rotation rules
foresee a limit of two subsequent postings in Representations and limits for the time spent in one or two Representations
before returning to Headquarters. The situation of candidates must be in line with these limits.
According to the "Rotation rules" adopted by the Commission on the 31/07/2008 (C(2008)3983), the official will be reassigned
at the end of his/her mandate to his/her Directorate-General of origin if there is no position available in DG COMM
corresponding to his/her profile.
It might be requested to candidates to pass a written test to check their writing skills in doing reports. This test is to be done in
EN or FR.
To have your application considered please introduce in sysper (only PDF is accepted):
1) your CV
2) your Motivation letter
3) your appraisal report.

Officials with a type of post of the person "Administrator" (AD5-AD7) or "Principal Administrator" (AD8-AD12) can apply for this
job.

Officials whose type of post of the person is:

• "Senior Administrator in transition" (AD14) or
• "Principal Administrator in transition" (AD13),

can show their interest for this job. In case of selection, they will be transferred in the interest of the service. This transfer in the
interest of the service will not modify the type of post of the person.

• 'Head of Unit' (AD9-AD12) can also apply. If selected, the official with this type of post of the person accepts to opt out and to
be reassigned to a non-management post under the supervision of a head of unit.

In the case of inter-institutional mobility, only officials in the function group AD in grades AD5 to AD12 can apply for this job.

For officials working in another Institution than the Commission, a certificate confirming function group, grade and status as an
official has to be provided.
For information related to Data Protection, please see the Specific Privacy Statement.
https://ec.europa.eu/dpo-register/detail/DPR-EC-01029

Contacts

Jan 10, 2025 4:23 PM

 Name Phone number Email
Johannes LUEBKING (32)22959851 Johannes.LUEBKING@ec.europa.eu

How to apply
Apply for this Job' button - Vacancies in your institution

Officials with access to Sysper have to apply to this published vacancy notice in their own institution using the 'Apply for this
job' button. This includes former Commission officials who have been transferred to the European External Action Service and
would like to apply to this published vacancy notice in the Commission.

In case of a published vacancy notice in an Executive Agency, any statutory staff already working in an Executive Agency with
access to Sysper may apply through Sysper to that specific vacancy notice.

Once Sysper has correctly registered your application, you will receive an automatic e-mail notification. If you do not receive
this e-mail notification, this means that your application via Sysper was not successful and you will need to try again. Your
application has to be submitted before the expiry of the application deadline. Therefore, we advise you to upload your
application in Sysper sufficiently in advance (modifications are possible until the expiry of the deadline).

Applications via e-mail

In case of technical problems with Sysper or for candidates from other institutions, including former GSC officials transferred to
the EEAS or for EPSO laureates, applications can be submitted within the deadline via the e-mail address indicated below.

The CV and the motivation letter attached to the email must be in PDF format (maximum size of 2MB per document). Any other
documents you wish to attach (e.g. references, certificates, etc.) must be merged into one single PDF document (maximum
size of 2MB).

This email address is linked to a functional mailbox and can only process messages with the "Normal" sensitivity option; emails
sent with other Sensitivity Options (e.g. "Personal", "Private", "Confidential" or encrypted mails) cannot be processed. Please
therefore select the "Normal" sensitivity option.
HR-COMM-REPRESENTATIONS@ec.europa.eu
Closing date
The closing date for registration is 31/01/2025. Registration will not be possible after 12:00 noon Brussels time.
Eligibility criteria and other important information
https://myintracomm.ec.europa.eu/staff/EN/talent-management/recruitment/Pages/recruitment.aspx?ln=en

Jan 10, 2025 4:23 PM

 EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Job Description Form

Job description version3 (Active)

Job description version209475 in COMM.DGA1.C.BR
Valid from01/11/2024until

Job Profile
Position
ADMINISTRATOR
Job title
Policy Officer - Economic Counsellor in a Representation
Domains
Generic domain
COMMUNICATION and PUBLICATION
Intermediate domain
Specific domain
RELATIONS with MEMBER STATES and CIVIL SOCIETY
Job Family
Policy, Analysis, Advice and Statistics
Sensitive job
No
Overall purpose
The Policy Officer - Economic Counsellor contributes to the country-specific work linked to the implementation of the
Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for the Member State where the official is posted. The officer contributes in
particular to the support to the respective Member State in the elaboration of its recovery and resilience plan (RRP), to the
engagement with the Member State on the content of the RRP and on its implementation, and to assist in the assessment
of the national implementation of the RRP, in line with the milestones and targets agreed. The officer shall also continue to
play a key role in the European Semester, which is closely linked to the implementation of the RRF and coordinated by the
Recovery and Resilience Task Force (RECOVER). During the existence of RECOVER, the officer is put at the disposal of
the Secretariat-General, while keeping its administrative assignment to DG COMM, its post in the Representation and its
place of employment in the respective Member State.

Jan 10, 2025 4:23 PM

Functions and duties

+ POLICY MONITORING
• Report regularly on each of the Member State’s country-specific recommendations, the RRF in general, the
development of the national recovery and resilience plan and its implementation, the RRF-related reaction from key
stakeholders, the national debate on particular issues, and discussions among academics or think-tanks related to
the RRF. This reporting is done promptly and directly to SG/RECOVER management and the country teams.
• Prepare regular reports highlighting relevant developments, as necessary, and send them to the respective country
team members, with copies to the relevant services in SG/Recover, DG COMM/REP and ECFIN.
• Report on input to/reactions to related Commission policy initiatives, bringing country-specific understanding directly
to SG/RECOVER, DG ECFIN and, as required, to other relevant DGs.

+ POLICY COORDINATION
• Under the steer of SG/RECOVER and the authority of the Head of Representation, maintain an ongoing exchange of
information and policy dialogue with the national and regional authorities to build momentum for reform and
investment initiatives, and to promote ownership and implementation of the national recovery and resilience plan and
country-specific recommendations (CSRs).
• Build a network of relationships with other key stakeholders and, to the extent necessary, facilitate contacts between
such key stakeholders and Semester and the RRF, such as social partners, civil society organisations, think tanks,
etc.
• Contributie to the high-level political policy dialogue on the RRF and the European Semester by helping to prepare
and by participating in Commissioners’ visits and by ensuring appropriate follow-up afterwards. The officer also
contributes to policy dialogue on the RRF and the European Semester at technical level.
• Develop relationships over time with national and, where appropriate, regional parliaments on the RRF and the
European Semester process.

+ ANALYSIS and INTELLIGENCE

• Supply key elements of country-specific knowledge for which local presence is necessary for the country teams
working on the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, focusing particularly on the Member State's
country-specific recommendations, including on the green and digital transition, and national recovery and resilience
plans and the programmes supporting their implementation, as well as fiscal and economic developments.
• Contribute in particular to the support to the respective Member State in the elaboration of its recovery and resilience
plan (RRP), to the engagement with the Member State on the content of the RRP and on its implementation, and to
assist in the assessment of the national implementation of the RRP, in line with the milestones and targets agreed.
• Report on developments related to the Member State's country-specific recommendations and national RRP targets
and milestones. The officer will also be in frequent contact directly with SG/RECOVER and ECFIN colleagues,
reporting on more specific and technical matters specific to the Member State. The officer provides early warning to
SG/RECOVER and DG ECFIN about sensitive issues related to the (preparation of the) national RRP and its
implementation in the Member State where he/she is posted.
• Contribute to analysis and reflections prior to and during the drafting of reports on the implementation of national
RRPs, staff working documents (SWD) and country-specific recommendations (CSR) concerning the Member States
of posting and/or for which a local presence is necessary. Where appropriate, the officer contributes to the
preparation of SWDs, CSRs and other Semester- or RRF-related documents and briefings on the MS, and to
participate in bilateral meetings related to the preparation and implementation of the RRPs.
• Monitor closely developments related to the formulation of national budgets and the implementation of budget
measures, especially where they are the subject of country-specific recommendations or related to the national
recovery and resilience plan.
• Use his/her expertise to support inputs from the Representation to country briefings for Commissioners and high level
officials, keep political and press colleagues abreast of issues linked to the European Semester and the RRF in the
Member State and to keep the Head of Representation well-briefed on these processes, as required and possible
under the confidentiality obligations.

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+ COMMUNICATION and PUBLICATION
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Representation's annual country strategy with respect to
the actions concerning the RRF and the European Semester, under the guidance of SG/RECOVER.
• Under the steer of SG/RECOVER and the authority of the Head of Representation, contribute to and/or deliver
presentations and speeches on the RRF and the European Semester process to national authorities and
stakeholders. The officer also provides advice to the relevant sectors/teams in the Representation on the
development of communications materials on the RRF and the European Semester.
• Give selective background briefings to media, under the approval and steer from the SG/RECOVER and the SPP,
and under the authority of the Head of Representation and in coordination with the press officer of the
Representation. The officer may also, under the authority of the Head of Representation accept to speak on-the-
record in line with the ‘lines to take’ drawn up by the SPP, under the approval and steer of SG/RECOVER. The SPP
and RECOVER will be kept fully informed of any such on-the-record activities.
• Support and take part in the communication activities of the Head of Representation and the press officer, providing
information and briefings related to the implementation of the RRF and the European Semester process.

Job requirements
Experience"
+ ECONOMICS – SPECIAL APPLICATION AREAS, EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION (general), INTERNAL
COMMUNICATION (general)
Job-Related experience:at least 5 years
Qualifier:essential
Previous work in at least one of the assigned policy areas and/or in other horizontal or multidisciplinary position within the
Commission (or in an equivalent organisation) allowing you to develop a broader picture of Union activity. Experience in
applied economic policy would be a distinct advantage, as would experience in economic dialogue or negociations with
Member States. Good communication and networking skills.

Languages
Listening Reading Spoken Spoken Writing
interaction production
Slovak A2 A2 A2 A2 A2
English C1 C1 C1 C1 C1

Knowledge

• ECONOMICS
FINANCIAL and MONETARY ECONOMICS
ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE
• PROGRAM / PROCESS / PROJECT MANAGEMENT
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• COMMUNICATION and PUBLICATION
THEORY, PRACTICE, and DEVELOPMENT of COMMUNICATION
Communication and information strategy
Internal and external information and communication rules and procedures

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Competences

• Analysing and Problem Solving

Capacity to analyse and structure information
• Communicating
Ability to understand and be understood
Capacity to communicate technical or specialised information
• Delivering Quality and Results
Ability to work in a proactive and autonomous way
• Learning and Development
Flexibility (openness towards new demands, etc.)
• Prioritising and Organising
Planning capacity
• Working with Others
Ability to work in a team
Confidentiality

Job Environment
Organisational entity

Presentation of the entity:

The Directorate Communication in Member States oversees services targeting national audiences. This includes in
particular the EC Representations and networks in the Member States.

Job related issues

[ ] Atypical working hours
[ ] Specialised Job
Missions
[ ] Frequent, i.e. 2 or more missions / month
[ ] Long duration, i.e. missions lasting more than a week
Comments:

Workplace, health & safety related issues

[ ] Noisy environment
[ ] Physical effort / materials handling
[ ] Work with chemicals / biological materials
[ ] Radioprotection area
[ ] Use of personal protective equipment
[ ] Other
Comments:

Other
Comments:

Jan 10, 2025 4:23 PM