JOB DESCRIPTION

 

PROGRAMME ASSISTANT

Directorate-General Competition (DG COMP) of the European
Commission

Selection reference: COMP/COM/2025/2044
Domain: law
Where: Unit A4- European Competition Network and Private enforcement, Brussels
Staff category and Function Group: Temporary agent 2b – Assistant
Grade range: AST1-3
Publication deadline: 20.10.2025 – 12.00 (Brussels time)

WE ARE

DG Competition’s Unit A4 shapes antitrust enforcement and policy across the Union by
ensuring effective and coherent application of the EU competition rules by the European
Competition Network (“ECN”, which is formed by the EU national competition authorities
(“NCAs”) and the Commission) and by national courts.

The work in our unit thus provides for a unique and diverse combination of horizontal policy
initiatives and antitrust casework.

In particular, we are closely involved in the ongoing antitrust-related policy and legislative
work at DG COMP and bring in the ECN perspective in those policy discussions. The Unit is
currently co-leading together with Unit A1 two major policy initiatives, namely the
evaluation of Regulation 1/2003 and the Guidelines on Exclusionary Abuses of Dominance.

The unit is also in charge of the complete and correct transposition and implementation of the
ECN+ Directive (harmonising and boosting national antitrust procedures) and regularly
supports national ministries and NCAs in this context.

We are moreover responsible for legal and policy issues relating to private enforcement of the
antitrust rules across the EU and will conduct any potential future evaluation of the Antitrust
Damages Directive. In addition, we steer the cooperation of DG COMP with the Association
of European Competition Law Judges and manage a significant budget to finance the training
of national judges in EU competition law.

As regards case-related work, Unit A4 assesses the consistence of national draft decisions
applying Articles 101/102 TFEU, providing support and legal advice to NCAs and

Selection reference COMP/COM/2025/2044

conducting case allocation discussions to determine the well-placed authority to deal with a
case in the network.

Unit A4 is also in charge of DG COMP’s assessment of preliminary ruling questions
concerning Articles 101/102 TFEU. We regularly attend court hearings in support of the
Commission’s Legal Service. The unit, in addition, prepares the Commission’s opinions
submitted to national courts, e.g. as amicus curiae.

Finally, our unit is in charge of shaping the emerging field of ECN cooperation under the
Digital Markets Act (“DMA”), including the issue of coordination of cases under the DMA,
Article 101/102 TFEU and stricter national laws.

This balanced portfolio results in an unparalleled mix of highly stimulating legal work and
day-to-day interactions with external stakeholders such as NCAs, national ministries and
judges, which is truly unique within DG COMP.

WE PROPOSE

judges

in EU competition

We offer a position as programme assistant to manage DG Competition’s budget for training
of
law; ensure efficient and secure coordination and
communication with NCAs; and assist in the development of IT applications allowing NCAs
and the Commission to coordinate enforcement actions and exchange information. The main
responsibilities of the programme assistant is the planning, managing, monitoring and
reporting of DG Competition’s operations funded under the Single Market Programme in
relation to the training of judges.

The tasks include organising the calls for proposal for the “Training of Judges in EU
Competition Law”; managing the evaluation process and awarding procedures; preparing
grant agreements with selected beneficiaries; monitoring the execution of the grant
agreements; reviewing and advising on request for changes in project work plans and/or
budgets; initiating amendments to grant agreements where necessary; examining final reports
and financial statements of completed projects and ensuring that final reports are approved
and final payments are prepared in accordance with the terms of the grant agreements.

The new colleague will also back up for the other colleagues in the secretariat. For this task
the main area of responsibility would be to ensure the proper follow up to cases from national
competition authorities (ECN cases) or requests notified to the Commission. This task
includes allocation of the cases/requests, dealing with relevant databases and launching inter
service consultations with the Legal Service. As a back-up the new colleague may also need
to provide administrative and logistic support to the Head of Unit.

The Unit has a dynamic and friendly working atmosphere. The unit also applies flexitime.

Selection reference COMP/COM/2025/2044

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a motivated, friendly and efficient colleague who can work independently
but also as part of a team; is well organised and stress resistant, with an eye for details and the
ability to prioritize work and take initiatives. S/he is expected to have experience in financial
management including grant, procurement and contract management. A good understanding
of the functioning of networks of EU national courts and universities would be highly valued.

The candidate needs strong analysing and problem-solving skills, be able to conceptualise
problems, identify and implement solutions. S/he needs well-developed soft skills to build up
and maintain smooth contacts with stakeholders, associated Commission services,
representatives of national competition authorities and national courts. S/he is expected to
have very good communication skills including the ability to transmit technical or specialised
information in a clear, concise and understandable way. An excellent command of English is
essential for this post. Commanding more than one other EU languages would be a strong
asset.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order:
1. your CV
Please send these documents by the publication deadline to [email protected]
indicating the selection reference COMP/COM/2025/2044 in the subject.

2. completed application form.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline.