Cybersecurity

Policy Officer - European Commission (FGIV, Brussels)

Grade FGIV
Contract Type Contract Agent
Salary Range €4,449 - €5,034/month
Deadline 1 September 2026

About this position

The summary below is published by European Commission on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Do you want to help shape the future of the European Union? Make the planet greener, promote a fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU? Then come and work for the European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Different nationalities, backgrounds, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and inclusive place to work.

WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interesting and challenging positions with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring new skills and competencies throughout your whole career

• Opportunities to move between different policy areas throughout your career

• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we care about your work-life balance

• A competitive financial package, including comprehensive healthcare, accident and pension schemes

• A multilingual, multicultural workplace where personal and career development…

Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

  • Follow aspects related to cybersecurity legislative and non-legislative instruments
  • Contribute to development of future policy initiatives, including concerning emerging technologies
  • Work on implementation strategies and potentially international aspects
  • Contribute to work on implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), including implementing or delegated acts, standardisation, guidelines, industry guidance and stakeholder engagement
  • Work on considerations for future initiatives in the area of product security, including impact of emerging technologies
  • Contribute to evolving work on cybersecurity dimension of Artificial Intelligence, in particular in context of EU Cybersecurity and AI action
  • Engage with other Commission services, EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), Member States, industry and other stakeholders, including international partners

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

  • Education: Completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma
  • Experience: Proven track-record of at least three years experience on digital-related policies, including cybersecurity dimension, from a technical perspective
  • Languages: One of the 24 official languages of the… (C1), Another official EU language (B2)
  • Key skills: Very good understanding of technical aspects of cybersecurity and digital policies, in particular in the area of Artificial Intelligence, Good understanding of standardisation processes, preferably in the area of cybersecurity and emerging technologies, Excellent drafting skills, Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Pro-active approach and ability to work autonomously, Ability to speak eloquently in public and steer discussions and processes
  • Eligibility: Citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen; have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service; be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the position; produce appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the duties; have passed an EPSO CAST in the relevant Function Group for this position; must ob…

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

  • Register in EPSO CAST Permanent database if not already registered
  • Submit CV and completed application form as single PDF

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Maximum 6 years in any EU Institution.

Working arrangements: Flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking.

Hiring unit: Unit H2, 'Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy Policy', Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Techn….

Position details

Reference
EC-2026-CNECT-497162
Directorate-General
Connect - Communications Networks, Content and Technology
Vacancy Notice
Download PDF
Last Verified
23 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Policy Officer at European Commission based in Brussels at the FGIV grade level (Contract Agent). The vacancy reference is EC-2026-CNECT-497162. It is hosted by Connect - Communications Networks, Content and Technology, the Directorate-General responsible for this policy area. The role falls under the Cybersecurity domain.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE - JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Do you want to help shape the future of the European Union? Make the planet greener, promote a fairer society, or support businesses and innovation across the EU? Then come and work for the European Commission where you can really make a difference!

Commission staff are a diverse group of people, who are motivated to help make Europe – and the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union. Different nationalities, backgrounds, languages and cultures make the Commission a vibrant and inclusive place to work.

WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Interesting and challenging positions with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring new skills and competencies throughout your whole career

• Opportunities to move between different policy areas throughout your career

• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we care about your work-life balance

• A competitive financial package, including comprehensive healthcare, accident and pension schemes

• A multilingual, multicultural workplace where personal and career development are strongly promoted

• Multilingual schools for your children

We recruit from a wide range of backgrounds and actively promote diversity and inclusion:

We do not only recruit political scientists and lawyers but are also looking for all kinds of profiles, including scientists, linguists, IT experts, data analysts and economists, as well as drivers and engineers.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to fostering a rich, diverse and inclusive working environment. We aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We actively seek to create a workplace where each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full potential. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/CNECT/497162)

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates, we strongly encourage applicants from Member States which are currently underrepresented in the European Commission workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden 1. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the merits of all applicants and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.

STAFF RECRUITED ON CONTRACTS

In addition to permanent officials, the European Commission offers non-permanent positions. There are two categories of non-permanent staff:

> •

temporary agents are recruited to fill vacant positions for a set amount of time or

to perform highly specialised tasks.

> •

contract agents may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an

insufficient number of officials is available or carry out a number of administrative or manual tasks. They are generally recruited for fixed-term contracts (maximum 6 years in any EU Institution), but in some cases they can be offered contracts for an indefinite duration (in offices, agencies, delegations or representations).

For more information on different staff categories

> 1Please note that the list of underrepresented Member States may be subject to future amendment based on potential data changes over time.

(Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/CNECT/497162)

# Policy officer

# in the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT)

Job title: Policy Officer

Domain: Cybersecurity

Where : Unit H2, “ Cybersecurity and Digital Privacy Policy “, Brussels

Function Group : FG IV

Contract Type : 3b

Express your interest until : 01.09.2026- 12.00 (noon, Brussels time)

WE ARE

DG CONNECT supports the digital transformation of our economy and society and conceives and

implements the policies required to foster the internal market, to make Europe fit for the Digital

age and to gain technological autonomy.

We are a unit of 19 friendly and committed colleagues in charge of policy and law in the areas of

cybersecurity. We are responsible for a number of high-profile files in the field of cybersecurity

such as the NIS2 Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2555), the Cyber Resilience Act, the European

Cybersecurity Certification Framework (Cybersecurity Act), the Action Plan on Cybersecurity and AI.

Within the Commission, we are also responsible for international cyber relations and the EU Cyber

Defence policy and EU NATO cooperation in the field of cybersecurity. The unit collaborates closely

with the Cybersecurity Technology & Capacity Building Unit (CONNECT.H.1) and the Cyber

Coordination Unit (CONNECT.H3). The Directorate applies a team-oriented approach, encouraging a

no-silo collaboration benefiting from DG CONNECT's expertise in ICT and the digital single market

and bringing together teams across various services.

WE PROPOSE

We propose a dynamic position of policy officer with a technical dimension. The job provides a

great opportunity to be involved in an exciting area of high impact and importance, and to become

part of our enthusiastic, driven and welcoming team. You will be following more closely aspects

related to cybersecurity legislative and non-legislative instruments, including, as relevant, the

development of future policy initiatives, including concerning emerging technologies, as well as

work on implementation strategies and potentially international aspects. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/CNECT/497162)

As part of the product security and certification policy sector, you will mainly contribute to the work

on the implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), including work on implementing or

delegated acts, standardisation, guidelines, industry guidance and engagement with stakeholders

You will also work on considerations for future initiatives in the area of product security, including

impact of emerging technologies. You will also be contributing to the evolving work on the

cybersecurity dimension of Artificial Intelligence, in particular in the context of the EU Cybersecurity

and AI action.

The final allocation of tasks will depend on the profile of the successful candidate. The work

involves engagement with other Commission services, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA),

Member States, as well as with industry and other stakeholders, including international partners.

The successful candidate will be required to obtain security clearance at level EU SECRET.

WE LOOK FOR

We look for a motivated, responsible and efficient team player with:

• a proven track-record of at least three years, experience on digital-related policies,

including cybersecurity dimension, from a technical perspective;

• a very good understanding of technical aspects of cybersecurity and digital policies, in

particular in the area of Artificial Intelligence;

• a good understanding of standardisation processes, preferably in the area of cybersecurity

and emerging technologies;

• experience with EU level decision-making and legislative or non-legislative procedures,

EU institutions or on files with a European dimension, is an asset;

• excellent drafting skills, as well as oral and written communication skills in English; other

languages are considered an asset;

• a pro-active approach and ability to work autonomously, speak eloquently in public and

steer discussions and processes.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

With a view to guaranteeing equal access to all, the Commission recruits from an open database of spontaneous applications. The present call for interests aims at helping the recruiters to identify potentially interested candidates within this database.

In practice, to express your interest, please follow the subsequent two steps:

1. If you are not registered yet in the open EPSO database, please do so at the following address: CAST Permanent . Please select under selection procedures for contract agent the

CAST permanent profile that best suits your education and experience.

2. You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order: 1. your CV 2. completed application form. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/CNECT/497162)

Please send these documents by the publication deadline to CNECT-H2@ec.europa.eu

indicating the call for interest reference EC/2026/CNECT/497162 in the subject.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline. (Reference: Call for interest EC/2026/CNECT/497162)

## ANNEX

## 1. Selection

 Am I eligible to apply?

You must meet the following eligibility criteria when you validate your application :

Our rules provide that you can only be recruited as a contract agent at the European Commission if you:

General criteria:

• Are a citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen;

• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service;

• Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the position;

• Produce the appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the duties.

• Have passed an EPSO CAST in the relevant Function Group for this position. At the stage of the application, it is sufficient to be registered in the EPSO CAST data base.

Qualifications:

(a) Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma.

Only qualifications issued or recognised as equivalent by EU Member State authorities (e.g. by the Ministry of Education) will be accepted.

Languages:

• have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1) of one of the 24 official languages of the EU 2

• AND have a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) 3 of

Salary at this grade

Basic monthly salary at FGIV runs from €4,449 (step 1) to €5,034 (top step), giving an annual range of roughly €53,388 to €60,408 before tax and allowances. Steps increase automatically every two years; the figures here are taken from the salary grid in the EU Staff Regulations.

Eligible staff posted away from their country of nationality also receive an expatriation allowance worth 16% of basic salary (around €712 per month at step 1 of FGIV) together with household, dependent-child, and education allowances where applicable. Take-home pay is then adjusted by the country correction coefficient for Brussels. For a worked example see our correction coefficients guide and the EU salaries overview.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 16 July 2026, 6 days ago.

The application deadline is 1 September 2026, 39 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 23 July 2026.

Where to learn more

For full responsibilities, requirements, and career progression at FGIV see our FGIV grade page; for headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at European Commission see the European Commission institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Brussels see our Brussels location page; for related vacancies in the Cybersecurity field browse our Cybersecurity domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.

Net pay at this grade

At step 1 of FGIV, gross monthly basic salary on the Contract Agents grid is €4,449. Eligible expatriate staff add a 16% expatriation allowance on top (roughly €712 per month) before two automatic deductions reduce the taxable base: the joint sickness insurance scheme (JSIS, ~3.6%, €186) and the EU pension contribution (~10.3%, €532). EU community tax (Council Reg. 260/68) is then applied progressively; for the AD7-equivalent band the effective rate sits in the 11 to 13% range, which works out to about €533 per month here.
Brussels carries a correction coefficient of 100.0% (Article 64 of the Staff Regulations), so the net is multiplied by 1.00 to reflect the local cost of living. On those assumptions take-home pay is approximately €3,911 per month, or about €46,926 per year, before household and dependent-child allowances, which can add several hundred euros monthly for staff with families. For the exact bracket-by-bracket computation see our net-pay methodology, and our correction coefficients guide for the full duty-station table.

Comparable recent roles

In the last twenty-four months European Commission (and the wider Commission and agencies family) has filled several adjacent roles at the same FGIV grade level. The most recent comparable vacancies, with their actual application windows:
  • Economic Analyst at European Commission (ECFIN - Economic and Financial Affairs) (published 2026-07-22, closed 2026-08-14)
  • Policy Officer at European Commission (JUST - Justice and Consumers) (published 2026-07-20, closed 2026-07-31)
  • Policy Officer - Sustainable finance and innovative financing solutions at European Commission (INTPA - International Partnerships) (published 2026-07-17, closed 2026-09-10)
  • Project Manager - Procurement at European Commission (FPI - Foreign Policy Instruments) (published 2026-07-17, closed 2026-08-18)
  • Programme and Investment Officer at European Commission (INTPA - International Partnerships) (published 2026-07-17, closed 2026-07-31)
Pattern recognition matters here: recruiters at the same Directorate-General often re-advertise nearly identical profiles every six to nine months, so candidates who miss one window can typically position for the next one. Browse the live catalog: all FGIV openings, other vacancies at European Commission, more roles in Cybersecurity.

Career trajectory

Career progression for FGIV staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at Connect - Communications Networks, Content and Technology, within Function Group IV the move from grade 13 to grade 16 takes roughly nine to twelve years; reclassification to a Temporary Agent or AD post is the longer-term ladder. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English-dominant, with French in legal-act drafting. Technical Commission DGs (CLIMA, ENV, ENER, CONNECT, DIGIT) work almost exclusively in English; French knowledge becomes useful when drafting legal acts that go to the Service Juridique.

Application cadence

Across the past twenty-four months 22 comparable openings with the same grade and Cybersecurity signature have been advertised by European Commission or related EU bodies, 22 of them in the last twelve months alone. That cadence (roughly 11.0 per year) suggests a candidate who narrowly misses this competition can reasonably expect a similar profile to reopen within six to nine months.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the official EU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: . Salary estimate based on EU Staff Regulations.

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