JOB DESCRIPTION

PROGRAMME OFFICER EU policies/ESF+ Spain DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion European Commission
Job title: Policy Officer – Policy & programme officer – Spain Domain: EMPLOYMENT (EU/national/regional level)
Where: Unit EMPL C4 – Spain and Malta Function Group: FG IV Contract Type: 3b
Express your interest until: 15.01.2026 – 12.00 (noon, Brussels time)

WE ARE
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) develops and carries out the Commission’s policies on employment, social affairs, inclusion, and skills and qualifications.
The mission of Unit C4 is to contribute to attaining the aims and objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, to support a fair recovery, green and digital transitions as well as to contribute to enhanced economic and social resilience in Member States. In particular, it promotes efficient and inclusive labour markets and social protection systems as well as supporting skills development and accessible social services and healthcare for all. To this effect, Unit C4 is the source of country intelligence for DG Employment in the context of the European Semester and fund management. The unit ensures, in close cooperation with the Member State and stakeholders (such as the social partners, civil society, etc.), the efficient and effective programming and implementation of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+ 2021-2027), the Social Climate Fund (SCF 2026-2032), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Youth Employment Initiative, and the European Fund for the Most Deprived (2014-2020). It coordinates these funds with other European funding streams, notably the European Regional Development Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which it contributes to assess and monitor.

WE PROPOSE
Unit EMPL.C.4 is seeking to recruit a Programme Manager in charge of overseeing the implementation of the REACT EU programmes attached to ESF and the 2021-2027 ESF+ programmes for Spain. The post will be linked to the closure of the REACT EU and therefore limited in time. In this role, you will contribute to analysing, negotiating and processing proposals for programme amendments considering the objectives of the funds, the relevant EU policies and of the EU semester’s country reports. You will analyse data on programme execution and performance to ensure effective implementation and achievement of targets and support the assessment of Simplified Cost Options and other simplification measures. The job also entails supporting audits and controls and following up on corrective measures with Member State authorities. Moreover, you will contribute to the analysis of national, regional and local policy developments and provide support when needed on assessing reforms and investments under the relevant components of the Recovery and Resilience Plans.
When required, you will participate in meetings with Member States and stakeholders, helping, for example, to disseminate the results of cohesion policy and Semester activities.
The role further includes preparing internal briefings, notes and replies to inquiries from the European Parliament and citizens.

WE LOOK FOR
Unit EMPL.C.4 is seeking to hire a Programme Officer in charge of managing ESF+ programmes, contributing to an improved country-specific knowledge for Spain and Malta.
The officer is expected to:
• Monitor the implementation of REACT-EU and ESF+ programmes, analysing implementation reports, transmission of data and amendment proposals
• Organising programme monitoring committees and ensure collaboration with Member State authorities and other funds and services.
• Engage with country authorities and Brussels representatives, address inquiries from European institutions and stakeholders.
• Promote the exchange of best practices and experiences related to funds implementation, impact and effectiveness.
• Provide country policy analysis to contribute to the European Semester process in employment, skills and social inclusion.
• Prepare briefings, regularly updating Spain’s EMPL Country Profile, and responding to information requests from the hierarchy and other Commission services.
• Provide necessary information for audit and control and follow-up corrective measures following from infringements of relevant regulations
The person for this position should have an education background and/or professional experience of at least 2 years in employment and social affairs, structural funds and/or economic affairs. As regards languages, fluency in Spanish is a clear advantage as well as a good capacity to work and draft in English.

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.
Please send these documents by the publication deadline to EMPL-ES4- [email protected] indicating the call for interest reference EC-2025-EMPL-367390 in the subject.
No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline.