Belgian federal government hiring for the Council of the EU 2024

Belgium will take up the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first semester of 2024 and the federal government is closing the first work call to reinforce several services. Professionals holding bachelor and master degrees can apply for a temporary vacancy until this Tuesday 31 May at the Foreign Affairs Public Service in Belgium.

"Our country is taking up this presidency for the thirteenth time, but it is a new challenge every time," says the public call published at the Federal Administration Selection Office (Selor) website. "You will end up in an exciting environment where you will build an extensive network with colleagues in Belgian and European administrations," the text adds.

The contracts last until July 31, 2024, just after the end of the Belgian presidency. The chosen candidates may work in different domains involving diplomacy, interculturality and multilingualism, such as policy preparation work, international relations, event planning, project management, preparing (online) communication campaigns.

"We are looking for different profiles who wish to contribute to this unique project. We are seeking to strengthen the staff of our central administration, as well as those of the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU, both based in Brussels," announces the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Public Service.

The public call says candidates do not need to "be a big Europe expert, but above all someone who likes to roll up their sleeves" and the government will "welcome motivated people who want to think and implement actively and creatively".

However, motivation alone will not be enough. Professionals will have to pass an exam. The selection procedure starts with a PC test: an abstract reasoning test and an e-tray exercise. Those who pass will be placed on a laureate list. Then, all Belgian public services that have a job offer under the European Presidency can contact the professionals in the approved list. They will receive an email with a job offer for one specific position. Afterwards there is an interview with the "potential employer". “Interviews are conducted using the STAR method. Depending on the position, a case study may also be carried out," details the Belgian public service. The approved candidate will be recruited, then.

Recruitment

The recruitment will take place in two phases: a first group of new recruits will take office in the fall of 2022 and a second group in early 2023.

Belgium is one of the ten founding members of the Council of Europe. It was the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Paul-Henri Spaak who chaired the first meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, held from 8 to 13 August 1949 in Strasbourg’s City Hall.

This EU institution was founded as a reaction to the first and second World Wars. The organisation has the duty to strive for greater unity among its members, to stimulate and defend the European values of human rights and fundamental freedoms and work as a source of innovative regulation, for instance when it comes to cyber crime. It monitors compliance with human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the Member States.

Application info

Applications must be done online via "My Selor" platform. Master degree candidates should click at www.selor.be/nl/vacatures/job/CNG22036 (in Dutch) or www.selor.be/fr/emplois/job/?jobcode=CFG22017 (in French). Bachelor degree candidates at https://www.selor.be/nl/vacatures/job/CNG22035 (NL) and www.selor.be/fr/emplois/job/?jobcode=CFG22016 (FR). Further details can be obtained by sending an email to voorbereidingEU2024@bosa.fgov.be (in Dutch) and preparationEU2024@bosa.fgov.be (in French).

(VIV)

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