JOB DESCRIPTION

WE ARE
The Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) falls under the portfolio of Executive Vice-President Fitto. The mission of DG REGIO is to support economic, social and territorial cohesion in Member States and regions.
Within DG REGIO, unit DDG.04 is dedicated to Cyprus Settlement support. The unit is the single point of contact for the Commission’s work in support of the re-unification of Cyprus and activities supporting the UN facilitated Cyprus settlement talks. The unit implements the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community (Aid Regulation (Regulation No 389/2006)), set up to support the re¬unification of Cyprus. The Aid Programme encourages the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the implementation of the EU legislation (EU acquis). In addition, the unit monitors the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 on a regime under Article 2 of Protocol No 10 to the Act of Accession (the “Green Line Regulation”).
The unit is split between Brussels and Nicosia (Cyprus) and is composed of three teams: two operational teams (sections A and B) based in Nicosia and a horizontal team split between Brussels and Nicosia. The horizontal team headed by the Deputy Head of Unit is responsible for planning, reporting and monitoring of the work of the unit, including the performance of the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, and for implementing on behalf of the Commission the relevant inspections as the Green Line Regulation. The team is also the contact point for all supported provided under the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX) for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community, working closely with DG ENEST. The vacancy is for the Nicosia-based Project Assistant position in the horizontal team.

WE PROPOSE
We propose a Project Assistant post based on long-term mission in Nicosia for a maximum of 4 years with a focus on the implementation of the Green Line Regulation. This includes managing directly the Commission implemented inspections as per the Green Line Regulation, and projects under the Aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community supporting the implementation of the Green Line Regulation or the EU acquis under the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX). The Project Assistant is also responsible for supporting the Head of Cooperation in the management of the administration of the EU programme support office in Nicosia, in particular as concerns the launch and management of contracts relating to the functioning of the office (office contract, network contract etc.).
The Project Assistant will prepare, manage, and monitor relevant Green Line inspections, working in close contact with stakeholders on the island and DG ENEST, which manages the TAIEX instrument. S/he will launch and manage procurement and projects assigned to the job holder, including all programme support office related contracts. The position involves, inter alia, contributing to the annual Green Line regulation monitoring and reporting exercise, continuous monitoring of developments in Green Line trade and frequent contacts with beneficiaries and representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community.

WE LOOK FOR
We are looking for a Contract agent GFIII with a strong background and proven experience in the field of Programme management. The successful candidate should possess robust financial and project management skills obtained preferably from EU external action, good communication skills and good drafting skills in English. Knowledge of EC financial regulations and procedures is highly appreciated. Experience with the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX) of the European Commission is desirable. Knowledge of the local context in the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus would be an asset.
The ideal candidate is a committed and enthusiastic colleague with a high sense of detail, responsibility and initiative, service-minded, able to set priorities and ready to work in a challenging environment.
The successful candidate should have the following skills:
• High level of customer-orientation;
• Problem-solving mindset;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers in an
international and multi-disciplinary work environment;
• High degree of commitment and flexibility;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both orally and in writing.

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 REGIO-04-CYPRUS- [email protected]
indicating the call for interest reference EC-2025-REGI0-382702 in the subject.
No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline.
(Reference: Call for interest EC-2025-REGI0-382702)