Working With and Working For the European Union

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Working with and
Working for the
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This e-book is based on an authorised excerpt from The Ultimate EU Test Book
(c) John Harper Publishing, Andras Baneth and Aboreus Online Services Ltd.
Sharing and posting online for free without changing any of the content is ful y encouraged.

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CoNtENtS
Dealing with EU Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
1. Seeing how the eu Works in Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
2. Multicultural environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
3. Paradigm Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
4. international networks: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
Working "with" the EU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
I. Diplomatic Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
1. Permanent representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
2. regional representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
3. Seconded national experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09
4. international Organisations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09
II. Political Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1. Assistant to a Member of the european Parliament (MeP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2. Political groups in the european Parliament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3. Advocacy groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
III. Academic Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1. Think-tanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
IV. Interest Representation Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1. eu Consulting Companies and Public Affairs groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2. Law Firms covering eu-related issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3. industry and Trade Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Working "for" the EU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
I. Contract Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1. Trainee (also commonly cal ed by its French name "stagiaire") . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2. Temporary Agent, Contract Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3. Permanent Posts (Ad, AST) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
II. Qualifications and Job Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Useful Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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Dealing with EU Affairs
1. Seeing how the EU Works in
Practice: An important motivational factor
for many who have started or are planning
careers in both the public and private sectors
is to see at first hand the day-to-day operation
of the institutions and learn how EU policies
are shaped. A national expert dealing with
Why do you want to deal
rural development funds for an Italian region,
with EU affairs? This
an official in charge of transposing the
Services Directive in Latvia, a Portuguese
is a core question that
lobbyist covering European research policy
everyone has a different
on behalf of a pharmaceutical company or
a Japanese diplomat fol owing European
answer for.
trade policy issues will all understand the
power relations and everyday operation of the
system only when having closely observed
t
it and actively taken part in the decision-
here are multiple motivations,
making procedures and policy formulation.
ranging from the salary benefits
With some hands-on experience, this can
to the desire to work in a
add both personal and professional benefits
multicultural environment, but in almost all
that can be taken advantage of in your later
cases there is a certain positive idealism
career.
why people would like to work for a united
Europe. Despite being an abstract concept,
2. Multicultural Environment:
this is in fact a very strong driving force for
Brussels and Luxembourg are known for their
many professionals, most of whom leave
international atmosphere with wel over one
their home countries behind and move to
hundred thousand "expats" living there on a
Brussels, Luxembourg or other locations
long-term (or permanent) basis. This has a
where EU institutions are present and
strong influence on the EU affairs working
where "European" policies are formulated.
environment where even small firms and
NGOs may have, say, just three employees
Salary issues apart, I have tried to assemble
who have four different citizenships and
in what fol ows some of the factors why the field
speak five languages. Apart from the
of EU affairs seems attractive to many. It is also
opportunity to learn new languages or
important for European Personnel Selection
improve existing ones by interacting in those
Office (EPSO) competition participants to
on a daily basis, this multicultural context has
examine their own motivation: not only is
its rather positive influence on work morale
this a question in the online application form
and creates a truly intercultural environment.
and possibly in the structured interview at the
Assessment Centre; it also helps everyone
This also has some very practical
understand which type of position or job
consequences. When applying for an EU
profile would suit their needs best.
affairs job or sitting an EPSO Assessment
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Centre, all candidates must be aware of
4. International Networks: Like other
the cultural and linguistic sensitivities of
international organisations, EU institutions
their fel ow candidates and those of the
attract a large number of foreign diplomats,
interviewers; stereotypes or national
businessmen and political activists who
prejudices are taboo. (I once heard about a
interact with each other and their official
candidate who, when asked which language
counterparts on a daily basis. Enlarging your
he would consider learning if accepted for
personal and professional network is another
the job, said that "I don't real y like German
motivational item for many; a mutual y
because it sounds too harsh" - unluckily for
beneficial relationship with organisations
him, one of the jury members was Austrian. A
that have offices in a number of European
hint: he could have formulated it in a positive
countries and beyond may prove useful
way by saying "In fact I like Italian because of
for both parties. For instance, someone
its musical sound", without stating a negative
dealing with financial regulations can easily
opinion or hurting anyone's sensitivity.)
develop contacts with national experts
covering this topic, along with other interest
representatives such as BusinessEurope -
contacts which can be highly useful in future
endeavours.
Why do you want to deal
With the above motivational factors in
with EU affairs? This
mind, let's now take a brief overview of
is a core question that
EU affairs jobs grouped into two major
categories: those that offer work "with" the
everyone has a different
EU and those where employees work "for"
answer for.
the EU.
3. Paradigm Shift: Many people agree
that one of the great benefits of working in
EU affairs is that their scope of thinking is not
limited to their home country or region. It is a
broadening experience to learn the different
perspectives of people from other countries.
EU-wide issues inevitably demand a broad
pan-European approach, enlarging the lens
through which events are viewed. Moreover,
most jobs in this field require travelling
in Europe to meet decision- and policy-
makers in Member States, which further
contributes to the shift in how they look at
events.
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Working "with" the EU
1. Permanent Representations:
All 27 EU Member States and some other
countries have a so-called "permanent
European Union affairs cover a great representation" (or in case of most non-EU
number of policies, issues and
countries, so-called "missions") in Brussels
interests; this is well reflected in
dealing exclusively with EU affairs, which
the Brussels public affairs arena. Thousands
are different from bilateral embassies which
of professionals deal with EU public affairs
represent a country in Belgium rather than
on a daily basis without being employed
to the European Union as an entity. Each
by one of the EU institutions. For some,
"PermRep" employs a large number of
undertaking any of the job profiles below is
diplomats (from 40 to well over 200) who
only a stepping stone into the EU institutions
are both diplomats and experts in fields
themselves, while others consider these
ranging from money laundering through
positions and organisations better suited
pesticide regulations to fiscal matters.
for their personality even in the long run,
During their stay in Brussels their status
without the intention to join the institutions.
is that of a diplomat; many are in fact civil
servants from various ministries.
Here are a few examples of working "with"
the EU:
While administratively speaking these are
officials recruited in their home country, they
have been seconded to Brussels for a certain
i. DipLomAtic Jobs
number of years to represent their Member State
mainly in the working groups and political bodies
Diplomatic jobs refer to job profiles that require
of the Council of Ministers. (In the case of non-
a certain diplomatic status or involve a local
EU countries this obviously does not happen
or national government official being sent to
but those diplomats serve as the contact point
Brussels or elsewhere for a multiyear period.
for technical and political negotiations which
The recruitment channel is almost exclusively
affect their country's interests). Those having an
through the national administration, though
expertise in a certain field and with the ambition
there are some exceptions as detailed below.
of becoming a seconded diplomat can enquire
at the Permanent Representation of the country
of their citizenship or ask the national ministries
or government offices' EU department whether
they are in need of EU experts.
Each "PermRep" employs
a large number of
2. Regional Representations: Several
EU regions and capitals (such as Lower
diplomats (from 40 to
Saxony's or the city of Budapest's Brussels
representation office) have their outposts in
well over 200) who are
Brussels to fol ow EU policy developments,
both diplomats and experts.
send information home, organise events aiming
to increase the visibility of the city or region they
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represent and network with others to create
EU institutions and Agencies general y
partnerships for project consortia. These offices
publish cal s for ENDs and have these also
sometimes employ civil servants who were sent
published by the Permanent Representations
from home to Brussels for a longer period of time,
from which they expect applications, so it is
while others tend to work with any professional
worth checking your PermRep's website or
who can offer them the right expertise in their
contacting the relevant personnel to notify
field, regardless of their nationality. Those
you in case of vacancies. In most cases
familiar with a certain region's political priorities,
ministries or governmental offices in the
language and culture can successful y apply for
Member States are also aware of vacancies;
positions and thus deal with EU affairs from a
it is therefore worth asking around in the
special regional perspective.
Prime Minister's office, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs or other national bodies dealing with
horizontal coordination of EU affairs as wel .
4. International Organisations: Apart
Seconded experts may
from the EU institutions, Brussels and various
other European capitals host a number of
work in any Agency or
international organisations that have formal
Directorate General of
and permanent contacts with EU bodies.
These include the NATO, the Council of
the European Commission
Europe, the European Free Trade Association
(EFTA), the World Trade Organisation (WTO),
doing similar work to that
the World Bank, the United Nations (UN)
of EU officials.
and its various specialised bodies such as
the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
or the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and others.
3. Seconded National Experts: Such
experts, also referred to as ENDs (derived from
These international organisations, while
the French abbreviation of "Expert National
their primary agenda is obviously different
Detache") work in EU institutions on a temporary
from that of the EU, have official links and
basis, mainly the European Commission,
employ several people to liaise with European
while being formal y employed by their home
institutions. Their recruitment system and
government administration. Accordingly,
job profiles vary, but those with an interest in
seconded experts may work in any Agency
EU affairs may be tempted to discover these
or Directorate General of the European
related fields wel . The status and salary of
Commission doing similar work to that of
those employed by the above institutions is
EU officials, for example in DG Environment
in most cases comparable to a diplomatic
to cover the Slovenian perspective on a certain
status with various degrees of immunity,
special protection zone regulation, or in the
specialized tax regime and other benefits.
European Medicines Agency as an expert in the
veterinary medicines sector.
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ii. poLiticAL Jobs
formal y employed by the European Parliament
and therefore may not ful y fit the "working with"
The label "political" refers to a rather different job
category, they do represent a special group
profile than those of diplomats, though in the EU
inasmuch as the decision about selection
arena this distinction is not as sharp as it may be
rests entirely with the MEP. This way, while
in a national context. Political jobs have more to
the Staff Regulations have been amended to
do with high-level policy-making than technical
cover the assistants' status, they do not need
rules or project dossiers. Some people are
to pass a recruitment competition to be eligible
attracted to these positions given their visibility
for appointment; on the other hand, their
and the high-level issues tackled while others
contracts are always for a temporary period.
dislike them for the occasional involvement of
party politics and al egedly limited focus on
This job in fact offers a truly exciting first-
execution. Below is a summary of political jobs
hand experience of how European politics
in the EU affairs arena.
are made, though it must not be forgotten
that working for a single person requires a
very good "chemistry" between the assistant
and the MEP, not to mention the need for
perseverance and stamina to be always
Each Member of the
available in case something comes up (and
European Parliament
it always does).
has at least one, two or
Assistants are in no way limited to working
only for their fel ow compatriots - so as long
even three assistants,
as they possess the required linguistic skil s
there are more than
and subject matter expertise, they have
the opportunity to be offered a position by
1500 assistants with this
an MEP of any nationality. Thus a Czech
job profile.
university graduate speaking fluent French
may be hired by a Belgian MEP or a Bulgarian
junior professor may get to work for a British
MEP given his English skills and familiarity
1. Assistant to a Member of the
with Balkans issues which the MEP happens
European Parliament (MEP): One of the
to be involved with.
most common ways to start a career in the
EU arena is to become a personal assistant
Given the European Parliament's profile
to an MEP. Given that currently there are 736
as a political institution and the fact that it
Members in the European Parliament (751 as
is political y active MEPs who are seeking
of 2014) and each Member of the European
assistants, the way to approach this job is
Parliament has at least one, two or even
often via political parties; some MEPs require
three assistants, there are more than 1500
political affiliation or party membership while
assistants with this job profile. Though
others seek expertise in a certain policy they
since June 2009 parliamentary assistants are
are responsible for.
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