Job opportunities at the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA)
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is the single point of contact for all EU citizens who wish to work for the European Institutions.
Contract agents
There are two types of contract agents:
- contract agents on a contract of limited duration (up to a maximum of six years) work at Commission headquarters;
- contract agents on longer-term contracts can work in satellite offices, agencies and eventually in EU delegations.
To work in Commission (Headquarters and Delegations) candidates need to have successfully passed a full CAST competition.
For more information regarding "Who may apply ?" and the generic notice about vacancies, please visit the dedicated section.
Trainees
The European Commission has an official traineeship scheme mainly aimed at young university graduates. For further information, please consult the traineeship web pages.
Seconded national experts (SNE)
SNEs are typically seconded from the civil services of EU Member States. They are usually recruited via their Permanent Representations to the EU.
Please read carefully the eligibility criteria.
Temporary agents
In exceptional circumstances, MENA may consider engaging temporary agents.
- Candidates should be aware that they are only eligible for posts which have at least the same function group level as the function group level of the EPSO test they succeeded (e.g. holder of a FGIV CAST are eligible for CA FG IV, III and II) or the function group for which they have registered within the Commission call for expression of interest for contract staff in generalist profiles.
- Candidates who passed an EPSO test which is still valid. Please bear in mind that for EPSO CAST 27, EPSO CAST 2008 and EPSO CAST 2010, only DB3 candidates who also passed the test held in July 2011 are eligible. Candidates who passed CAST Croatia cannot apply for vacant contract agent posts in EU delegation as this CAST competition was not organised in full (DB2 only).
Who may apply?
- Candidates who have passed a full CAST competition or who have created a profile on the EPSO website and linked it with the respective Call for expressions of interest. However, before being recruited in the European Commission the candidates should have passed the CAST competition.
Please note:
- Posts in Headquarters are covered by 3b contracts. This means that a contract agent working in delegations and covered by 3a contracts selected for a post in Headquarters (outside the annual mobility exercise) will have to resign his/her 3a contract and conclude new 3b contract for maximum 6 years. First contract will be concluded for 1 year. Extension of 2 years will follow provided positive probation period report. Any subsequent extensions will be of 1 year up to a maximum of 6 years in total.
- The selection procedure is organised by NEAR Headquarters (unit to which the post is attached).
Who may apply?
- Contract agents who have served in the same job in the same delegation for at least 3 years or more.
- Contract agents whose request for early mobility on personal grounds outside the annual mobility exercise was accepted by Headquarters. Please note that contract agents included in the mobility exercise for duly substantiated personal reasons are automatically authorised to also apply for vacancies published outside the annual mobility exercise for the same reasons.
- Candidates who have passed a full CAST competition or who have created a profile on the EPSO website and linked it with the respective Call for expressions of interest. However, before being recruited in the European Commission the candidates should have passed the CAST competition.
Please note:
- The selection procedure is organised by each delegation concerned;
- After a pre-selection based on the CVs, the delegation will invite pre-selected candidates to participate in a phone interview panel and will request the recruitment of the selected candidate to ENEST Headquarters for validation.
Contract Agent Vacancies - Delegations
| ENTITY | LEBANON (Beirut) (please read the explanations about the place of employment in the Job Description (Job Environment)) |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Programme Officer - Private Sector Development and Trade |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | Living-conditions allowance: 30% (40 % when relocation to Damascus) |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of the Head of Cooperation and the Team Leader, contribute to the design and implementation of EU-funded assistance on supporting the recovery and growth of Syria’s private sector, fostering trade relations, and promoting business development opportunities, including between Syria and the European Union; help design and manage interventions that strengthen value chains, improve access to finance, enhance competitiveness, and support the reintegration of Syrian businesses into regional and international markets. Particular attention will be given to initiatives that improve the enabling environment for trade, investment, access to finance and entrepreneurship, including the legal framework. |
| CONTACT | libor [dot] chlad Applications (CV & motivation letter) to be sent to: libor [dot] chlad Please indicate your CAST Application ID in your application and mention the post number in subject line. Security Clearance is compulsory for all EU Staff in delegations and has to be requested by selected candidate before departure. |
| DEADLINE | 16 February 2026 |
Contract Agent Vacancies - Headquarters
| ENTITY | Brussels – DG.MENA.B1 – Middle East: Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran |
| FUNCTION / GRADE | FG IV |
| TITLE | Policy Officer |
| VACANCY NOTICE / JOB DESCRIPTION | 469590 Please find publication and instructions on the EPSO Website : Policy Officer | EU Careers |
| OVERALL PURPOSE | Under the supervision of the Head of Sector, contribute to the definition of EU partnership with one or more countries under the remit of the unit, including preparation, identification, formulation, implementation and follow-up of EU cooperation in the countries under the remit of the unit. |
| CONTACT | Ana [dot] PIRES ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (PIRES Ana) (Head of Unit) |
| DEADLINE | 10 February 2026 (noon) |