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International Cooperation Officer

Type of Selection:  Internal and External
Contract Type:  Temporary agent
Grade:  AD06
Deadline for application:  02/03/2026 at 23:59 CET
Experience Level:  Professional
Approx. number of candidates on reserve list:  6
Location:  Cologne, Germany
Monthly gross compensation (€):  6,961.29 - 7,253.84

Our employees are our most valuable asset. We therefore offer a wide range of benefits.

 

EASA is the leading aviation authority in Europe. A career at EASA means contributing to our vision for an ever safer and greener civil aviation. As an EASA employee, you will be making a difference to the lives of about 500 million fellow Europeans: this is our shared purpose and it could be yours, too. From our headquarters in Cologne, Germany, you will work with top experts in a multicultural work environment. Diversity and Inclusion are part of our DNA and innovation is at the heart of what we do. We ensure that aviation is safe in all phases: beginning with the certification of the aircraft to the rules for the air operation and crew. For more information about the Agency please consult our website and take a look at our organisation structure. Are you interested to contribute to our mission? Then see below what it takes to accomplish the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and non-discrimination. To further enhance the diversity of our workforce, we particularly encourage applications from female candidates. 

Job Overview

Coordinate and manage high-impact international cooperation activities on behalf of EASA, ensuring that the Agency’s external engagements - whether institutional or technical - are strategically aligned, professionally delivered and contribute effectively to EU aviation safety objectives. 

The successful candidate will be assigned to one of the following areas:

Lead Institutional Relations Manager (ICAO) with focus on EASA’s institutional relationship with ICAO and the coordination of global regulatory cooperation in support of EU aviation safety objectives.

Technical coordination & project delivery with focus on the delivery and governance of technical cooperation projects.

General Accountabilities

International Cooperation Governance & Coordination

  • Coordinate and manage complex international cooperation activities on behalf of the Agency, ensuring alignment with EU aviation safety objectives, Agency strategy and applicable legal and policy frameworks

  • Act as a central coordination point across EASA directorates, regions and technical domains to ensure coherent, consistent and effective engagement with international partners

 

Steering & Performance

  • Ensure the effective planning, delivery and monitoring of international cooperation activities, agreements or projects, including performance tracking, risk management and continuous improvement

  • Provide senior management with strategic input, analysis and recommendations on international cooperation priorities, risks and opportunities

 

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

  • Manage relationships with key international and institutional partners, ensuring clear communication, alignment of expectations and appropriate positioning of EASA in international contexts

 

Knowledge, Process and Capability Development

  • Contribute to the development, consistency and improvement of international cooperation processes, tools and ways of working

  • Support knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and professional development across the international cooperation community

 

Specific Accountabilities

Depending on the area of assignment, the job holder will have additional responsibilities in one of the following areas:

 

Lead Institutional Relations Manager (ICAO)

  • Manage and coordinate the institutional relationship between EASA and ICAO, including the implementation and oversight of working arrangements and cooperation agreements

  • Act as primary focal point on European ICAO coordination groups where EASA is represented
  • Coordinate EASA positions, inputs and internal contributions related to ICAO activities/high level events, ensuring alignment with EU aviation safety priorities
  • Serve as lead expert in the ICAO State letter/EFOD processes, including coordination at EU level and maintenance of EASA related internal procedures
  • Lead and coordinate EASA participation in ICAO USOAP Continuous Monitoring Activities (CMA), acting as ICAO Continuous Monitoring Coordinator (CMC) for EASA, including expert mobilisation and response management

  • Provide senior management with briefings, strategic advice and reporting on ICAO relations, CMA results and institutional cooperation developments

  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of EASA’s international institutional positioning within the global aviation system

 

Technical Coordination & Project Delivery 

  • Lead the delivery of complex technical cooperation projects and multi-country initiatives in support of third countries

  • Act as process owner for technical support to third countries, ensuring consistency, quality and compliance with Agency methodologies

  • Provide methodological leadership, including the development and maintenance of project management tools, standards and templates

  • Mentor and support Project and Operations Managers, acting as a technical and methodological referent

  • Ensure proactive management of project risks, quality of deliverables and corrective actions

  • Act as Framework Contracts Manager for International Cooperation projects, overseeing the implementation and performance of framework contracts

Admission Criteria

The following constitute eligibility and essential criteria for the role and for being admitted to the selection process. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria by the deadline for applications, will be excluded from the selection:

  • Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English[1]
  • Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
  • Completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma in a relevant field to the role (i.e., international relations, European or international law, public administration, political science, engineering, aviation)
  • After obtaining the university degree, at least 5 years of professional experience in:
    • International cooperation, external relations or inter-institutional affairs in the EU aviation safety system or in international civil aviation authorities

and/or

    • International project, programme or technical cooperation management in aviation 
  • For candidates applying for Institutional Relations (ICAO): Applied knowledge of ICAO USOAP CMA, ICAO State Letter/EFOD process and familiarity in the proceedings of ICAO high level events
  • For candidates applying for technical cooperation, project coordination and delivery: Applied knowledge of international project delivery and contract-based technical cooperation in the aviation domain, with familiarity of EU funded projects mechanisms

 

* This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD5-AD9

 

[1] Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of a second EU language. English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase.

Selection Criteria

The selection process is based on the assessment of the professional skills and competences listed below. While these are considered essential for performing the role effectively, candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered.

Professional Skills

Stakeholder Management
Project Management Skills (also agile)
Institutional Representation & Organisational Positioning
Familiarity with European Commission and EASA procedures for managing aviation relations with third countries and foreign authorities
Relationship Management
Global and European Aviation regulatory and standardisation framework, including key players and their responsibilities

Behavioural Competences

Communication
Managing Ambiguity
Teamwork
Conceptual Thinking
Flexibility & Change Adaptability

Mandatory Pre-Employment Requirements

Prior to recruitment, you will be requested to demonstrate that you:  

  • Are entitled to the full rights as a citizen.
  • Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws on military service.
  • Meet the character requirements for the duties involved (you will be asked to provide a police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record) .
  • Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post (you will be asked to undergo a medical examination in a center indicated by EASA).

Conditions of Employment

Contract: 5 years contract as Temporary Agent 2 (f) with possibility of extension. 

Working hours: 40 hrs per week (on a full-time working pattern). Flexible working arrangements.

Salary: Basic salary: EUR 6,758.53 - 7,042.56 depending on work experience. Additional allowances depending on personal situation.

Location: Cologne, Germany (relocation is required). 

Application & Selection Process

How to apply

We can only accept applications that are submitted in English through our Recruiting tool. Before sending your application, make sure it is complete and contains the document(s) specified in the vacancy notice. Please also ensure that your candidate profile, all relevant fields and the answers to the pre-screening questions are correct. You may review and amend data demonstrating compliance with the eligibility and selection criteria only until the closing date of applications for the respective selection procedure.

For further information take a look at How we hire. In case of questions or technical issues, email us at recruit@easa.europa.eu. Attach a description and screenshot of the error. 

To check if you are meeting the minimum education qualifications required for the job, consult the information published by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO): Examples of minimum qualifications

Important note on diplomas obtained outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or Norway: If your application is found eligible on the basis of diploma(s) obtained outside these countries, we might ask you to provide proof of accreditation by one of the European Union Member States. This applies also to diplomas obtained in the UK after 31 December 2020.

Make sure you are meeting the language requirements: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and assess your language skills. Language certificates are not required at the stage of application, unless specified in the vacancy.

Selection Process

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via E-mail. If your application has been rejected following the initial screening, the status in your candidate profile will be automatically updated to "Not admitted". Invitations to the shortlisted candidates are sent once the evaluation of applications is completed (this may take up to two months after expiry of the deadline to apply). Pre-selection exercises, online tests and interviews with the Selection Board usually take place remotely. If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list from which you might be considered for similar positions within EASA. Learn more about our Selection and Onboarding process. Take a look also at our comprehensive information on Benefits, get to know Our people and find out what Life in Cologne is like.

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