The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), based in Brussels, Belgium 
is establishing a reserve list for a post of

Communication Assistant
(Temporary Agent, AST3)

Please send us your application no later than 08/01/2025 at 23:59 (Central European Time/ Brussels time), following the instructions in the ANNEX.

1. About CBE

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a €2 billion partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe.

The bioeconomy sector is an essential contributor to the green growth of Europe. Projects funded by CBE JU are delivering sustainable bio-based products and solutions with better qualities than their traditional fossil-based alternatives. In addition, they maximise the circular use of resources and enhance circular production processes. 

Since 2014, CBE JU has supported over 190 projects in 40+ countries, and among them 19 highly innovative, first-of-their-kind flagship biorefineries at commercial scale. These projects have so far created over 200 new bio-based materials and ingredients, 100 products and more than 180 new bio-based value chains across Europe. 

From cutting-edge research labs to large-scale first-of their-kind biorefineries, the CBE JU has invested and attracted investment in green industries, in support to sustainable businesses and local economies in Europe.

The public-private partnership is a significant contributor to the European Green Deal and related EU policies, such as the European Bioeconomy Strategy, the European Biodiversity Strategy, the European Industrial Strategy, among other. 

The CBE JU Programme Office manages competitive calls for project proposals and monitors their implementation. CBE JU has been established for the 2021–2031 period.  The working language of the CBE JU is English.

For further information, please consult the CBE JU website: www.cbe.europa.eu.

2. Job Description

The Communication Assistant will support the Communication team which is directly reporting to the CBE JU Executive Director.

The Communication Assistant duties will include: 

Communication activities:

• Support the organisation of events and exhibitions, both in digital and physical format.
• Contribute to the management of CBE JU’s social media channels, produce social media content and engage with CBE JU stakeholders via these channels.
• Support the creation, launch, management and monitoring of campaigns.
• Assist with creating graphic design, layout and data visualisation for the CBE JU communication material.
• Contribute to the development and management of content on the CBE JU’s website and intranet.
• Assist with creating and promoting printed and digital publications, newsletters, presentations, posters, adverts, banners and other material as required.
• Support the creation and maintenance of contact databases (press, stakeholders, etc.).
• Assist with the development of audiovisual material and the management of the multimedia library.
• Support the press and media relations including distribution of press releases and assisting with regular media monitoring and preparation of reports.

Operational and administrative support:

• Follow up the Communication’s budget lines related to communication activities and act as Operational Initiating Agent in financial procedures.
• Assist with preparing and following up public procurement procedures related to communication services.
• Supervise external contractors delivering communication services to CBE JU.
• Contribute to the Communication team’s work by, among others, drafting documents (agendas, briefings, reports) and providing logistical support to events.
• Provide support for the preparation of reports and analysis of statistics.
• Undertake additional tasks as required in the interest of the service.

3. Eligibility criteria

Candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following criteria to be fulfilled by the closing date for applications.

3.1. General conditions

• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union.
• Be entitled to his or her full rights as a citizen (1).
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service.
• Meet the character requirements for the duties involved.
• Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages and a satisfactory knowledge (at least B2 level) of another of these languages to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties (candidates are invited to specify in their CV any language certificates they have obtained which can demonstrate their language skills).
• Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post(2).

3.2. Education

• A level of post-secondary education attested by a diploma(3);

OR

• A level of secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, and appropriate professional experience of at least three years.

3.3. Experience 

• Candidates must have, at the closing date for applications, at least six years of professional experience(4) gained after obtaining the diploma. 

In case you do not fulfil all the eligibility criteria, your application will not be taken into consideration. Eligibility criteria must be fulfilled by the deadline for applications and maintained throughout the selection procedure and appointment.

4. Selection criteria

Candidates selected based on the above eligibility criteria will then be evaluated according to the following selection criteria:

4.1. Essential qualifications and experience

• Professional experience of at least four (4) years in communications.
• Relevant professional experience with digital communications (managing social media channels, such as LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook or X, mailing systems, content management systems, such as Drupal and SharePoint).
• Experience with graphic design tools.
• Professional experience in organising events.
• Proficient use of MS Office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (native English speakers will be required to demonstrate the ability to work in a second language at the interview stage).

4.2. Advantageous qualifications and experience

• A degree in fields related to communications.
• Experience with public procurement procedures.
• Professional experience in a similar position in a European institution.

4.3. Behavioural competences

• High motivation, open and positive attitude.
• Ability to establish and develop good inter-personal relations with a broad range of stakeholders in cross-cultural environments.
• Excellent analytical, planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, deliver results, and respect deadlines.
• Sense of initiative, responsibility, commitment and team spirit.

In order to be evaluated in the best possible way, candidates are invited to be as detailed and as clear as possible when describing their professional experience, specific skills and competences in their application form.

5. Appointment and reserve list

The reserve list will be used in order to fill vacant positions within the CBE JU.

Should a position become vacant, the Executive Director, as appointing authority of the Joint Undertaking, will select a candidate from the reserve list and offer the post. A binding commitment can only be made after the verification of all conditions and will take the form of a contract signed by the Executive Director.

The reserve list will be used in order to fill vacant positions within the CBE JU.

Candidates should note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. Recruitment will be based on availability of posts and budget.

The reserve list for this post will be valid until 31 December 2026 and may be extended at the discretion of the Appointing Authority of the CBE JU.

6. Deadline for applications

Candidates need to submit their application using the CBE JU online application tool no later than 08/01/2025 at 23:59 (Central European Time/ Brussels time), following the instructions in the ANNEX.

7. Conditions of employment

The place of employment will be Brussels, where the Joint Undertaking premises are located.

The successful candidate will be recruited as a Temporary Agent AST3, pursuant to Article 2(f) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities, for a period of three (3) years. After an evaluation of the job holder's performance, and subject to budget availability, the term of office may be extended. The period of engagement will not in any case exceed the lifetime of the CBE JU.

Candidates should note the requirement under the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants for all new staff to complete successfully a probationary period. The pay of staff members consists of a basic salary supplemented with specific allowances, including expatriation or family allowances. The provisions guiding the calculation of these allowances can be consulted in the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants available at the following address: http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF.

Important Note

Candidates are kindly advised to read the ANNEX that represents an integral part of this vacancy and provides information on how to complete the application, the steps of the selection process and appeal procedures.

1. Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a certificate of good conduct, confirming the absence of any criminal record.
2. Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate shall be medically examined by one of the European Institutions' medical officers in order that CBE JU may be satisfied that he/she fulfils the requirement of article 28 (e) of the Staff Regulations of the Officials of the European Communities.
3. Only qualifications issued by EU Member State authorities and qualifications recognised as equivalent by the relevant EU Member State authorities will be accepted. Any academic qualification mentioned in the application form shall be duly supported by evidence (original or certified copies of e.g. diplomas, certification, etc.). In instances where diplomas are obtained from a non-EU Member State, CBE JU may request the candidate to provide a relevant document of comparability issued by a recognised authority.
4. Professional experience is counted only from the date the candidate obtained the diploma required for being eligible.