Working for an EU Agency or a JU
Build your EU career in a diverse and impactful environment. EU decentralised Agencies and Joint Undertakings (JUs) offer meaningful work that benefits European citizens, in inclusive, multicultural teams, with competitive pay and allowances.
What you can expect when joining an Agency or JU
impactful work that serves European citizens every day
dynamic, diverse and inclusive workplace
- competitive salary and complementary allowances (depending on role and location)
More than 13,000 people already work in EU decentralised Agencies and JUs.
How recruitment works
EU decentralised Agencies and JUs vacancies are advertised on:
- the Job Opportunities section of the EUAN website
- each EU Agency/JU’s website (see full list)
- the EPSO website, alongside other official platforms used by Agencies/JUs.
Selection follows a structured recruitment process. Always check the vacancy notice for duties, requirements, contract type, grade and how to apply.
Types of roles and contracts
Agencies and JUs recruit for several contract types. The vacancy notice specifies which one applies.
Permanent officials
Permanent officials work in three function groups: Administrators (AD), Assistants (AST), and Secretaries/Clerks. Only nine Agencies and one Joint Undertaking have Permanent Official (PO) posts. Currently, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in Alicante is the only Agency running open competitions for PO posts based on the EPSO rules for recruitment. In the other Agencies, permanent officials are usually former or seconded European Commission staff, and external recruitment is rare. For current opportunities, check the EUIPO careers page and the EPSO website. Most Agencies and JUs mainly recruit temporary or contract agents.
Temporary agents
Temporary agents in EU Agencies and JUs may be employed to perform a wide range of tasks, typically within one of the following categories:
- Standard positions
supporting the delivery of the Agency or JU’s mandate.
- Highly specialised jobs
requiring specific technical expertise or experience
- Temporary assignments
addressing short-term needs or project work
- Staff shortages
when competition reserve lists have been exhausted.
- Executive Directors’ private offices
(cabinets)
- Administrators (AD5–AD16)
policy design and implementation, EU law, analysis, finance, economics, communication, science, human resources. Translators and interpreters are also recruited in the AD function group. A typical entry grade is AD5. Experienced profiles may start at AD6 (≥3 years) or AD7 (≥6 years).
- Assistants (AST1–AST11)
technical roles in administration, finance, communication, research or policy support. Typical entry grades are AST1–AST3. Minimum requirements include completed secondary education plus relevant experience, or vocational qualification.
- Secretaries/Clerks
secretarial and administrative support (meetings, files, travel, correspondence, minutes, document layout). A secretary/clerk career ranges from grade AST/SC 1 to AST/SC 6.
Contract duration and renewal rules vary by agency/JU. In most cases, initial contracts are for five or three years and can be renewed for another fixed term period. After this renewal, the contract may be renewed into an indefinite one.
Contract agents
Posts are classified into four function groups (FG) according to the duties and responsibilities assigned to each post.
- FG IV
6 grades corresponding to administrative, advisory, linguistic and equivalent technical tasks
- FG III
5 grades corresponding to executive tasks, drafting, accountancy and other equivalent technical tasks
- FG II
4 grades corresponding to clerical and secretarial tasks, office management and other equivalent tasks
- FG I
3 grades corresponding to manual and administrative support service tasks.
Contract duration and renewal rules vary by agency/JU. In most cases, initial contracts are for five or three years and can be renewed for another fixed term period. After this renewal, the contract may be renewed into an indefinite one.
Temporary and interim support
When additional short-term capacity is needed, Agencies/JUs may hire interim staff, administrative or scientific, through specialised recruitment agencies. See each Agency/JU website and contact the listed providers directly, if applicable.
More opportunities to join EU Agencies and JUs
Besides standard employment opportunities, the EU Agencies and JUs also engage professionals through other forms of collaboration — such as traineeship programs, Seconded National Experts or external experts engagement schemes.
Traineeships programmes
Most Agencies/JUs run paid traineeships for recent graduates to gain practical experience. Typical duration is 5–12 months (varies by organisation), based on the following criteria and conditions:
- Eligibility
nationality/citizenship of an EU Member State, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and a completed university degree by the application deadline.
- Grant and travel
monthly grant (amount set annually by each Agency/JU) and usually a travel allowance at the start and end of the traineeship.
- Tax and social security
trainees receive a grant, not employment. Agencies/JUs do not pay social security contributions for the traineeship; trainees are responsible for their own taxes under their personal circumstances.
- Equal opportunities
Agencies/JUs welcome applications without distinction (e.g. age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, political views, marital or family status).
Seconded national experts (SNEs)
SNE schemes strengthen cooperation with Member States. SNEs remain employed and paid by their home organisation during secondment. Typical duration: 6–24 months (full time), with possible renewal up to each Agency/JU’s maximum term. Rules and calls for expressions of interest are published by each organisation.
External experts
Some Agencies/JUs engage independent external experts to complement in-house expertise, for example in ad hoc panels, working groups, committees, or to provide opinions, guidance and rapid risk assessments, or to join country visits and seminars.
The selection is based on professional capacity against predefined criteria. The experts may receive a lump sum of indemnity (fee). The amount is set and communicated before work starts. The experts must avoid conflicts of interest and follow the Agency’s Independence Policy for non-staff.
For details and open calls, consult the relevant Agency/JU website.