Budget Officer
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is organising a selection procedure to draw up a reserve list for the profile of Budget Officer (function group FG IV) in the Administration Unit. The selection procedure is published inter-agency and externally.
Background
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) provides independent, evidence-based advice to policy-makers, to help ensure full respect for fundamental rights across the EU, for everyone. To this end, the Agency collects and analyses information and data on a range of fundamental rights issues, provides assistance and expertise to EU institutions and to EU Member States’ governments, raises rights awareness, communicates its findings and strengthens cooperation and ties between fundamental rights actors.
The Administration Unit
The Administration Unit is responsible for supporting the operational work of the Agency, enhancing its ability to function as a best practice, knowledge-based, lean and service-oriented public body. It provides core support services to the Agency, including in the areas of finance, human resources, IT and facilities.
Duties
This Budget Officer is responsible for planning, monitoring and reporting on the annual budget of FRA. They will:
- Support the planning and preparation of the annual and multi-annual budget of FRA, covering administrative and operational expenses;
- Monitor the consumption of commitment and payment appropriations using the Agency’s financial system and prepare periodic reports comparing budget plans to actual spending;
- Prepare forecasts and budget scenarios using known and unknown variables and give advice on the implications for budget management and implementation;
- Support the needs of the Agency with the creation and maintenance of databases or relevant IT tools for budget management, seeking to automate wherever possible;
- Advise and support management and units on budgetary issues and procedures;
- Verify and/or initiate, if applicable, budgetary and financial transactions, ensuring compliance with the financial rules and regulations and established procedures;
- Ensure the carry-over of appropriations;
- Assist in the development of financial procedures and the of templates and other standard documents;
- Contribute to drawing up Annual Activity Reports (AAR) and providing information for internal audits and the Court of Auditors;
Provide support to the Accountant in management of the Agency’s accounts and be capable of deputising during periods of absence.
Duties applicable to all staff:
- Perform any other related duties assigned by the manager.
Eligibility requirements
Only candidates who meet all of the following eligibility criteria by the deadline for submission of applications will be marked as eligible. Candidates who do not meet one or more criteria will not be considered further:
General conditions[1]
- Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and be entitled to full rights as a citizen;
- Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws concerning military service;
- Meet the character requirements as to suitability for the performance of the duties involved[2];
- Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post[3].
Education and experience[4]
A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma in one of the following fields: Finance, Accountancy, Economics, or Business/Public Administration.
Language skills
- Have a thorough knowledge (level C1) of English, as this is the working language of FRA, and
- Have a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of another language of the EU.
The levels indicated correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages[5].
[1] See Article 12 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union.
[2] Prior to appointment, successful applicants will be required to prove that they do not have any criminal record.
[3] Before being engaged, successful applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination.
[4] Only diplomas and certificates that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by authorities in the Member States shall be taken into consideration. Any certificate of equivalence should be obtained by the deadline for applications.
Selection criteria
In order to select the best-qualified candidates for the test and interview phase, FRA will assess the following essential and advantageous criteria.
Please note that all essential criteria are mandatory. If a candidate scores zero on any individual essential criterion, their application will not be assessed further.
The following criteria will be considered as essential:
- Proven experience of at least 4 years in a budget or financial assistant/management position;
- Demonstrated experience in budget reporting and monitoring, including in particular advising stakeholders or management on risks, planning needs and implementation prospects;
- Proven experience in report automation and data visualisation, with tools such as Microsoft PowerBI and Power Query;
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
The following criteria will be considered as advantageous:
- Sound knowledge of the EU Financial Regulations and budgetary rules and procedures;
- Familiarity with ABAC/SUMMA;
- Knowledge of Business Objects;
- Experience in accounting.
In addition to the essential and advantageous criteria, candidates invited to the interview and test phase will also be assessed behavioural competencies relevant for the position. In particular, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate:
- Strong organisational, time management and work planning skills;
- An ability to think creatively to solve problems or find solutions within the boundaries of the regulations;
- Clear communication skills and the ability to present complex information in an accessible way to non-technical audiences;
- A sense of teamwork, flexibility and adaptability.
Selection criteria
In order to select the best-qualified candidates for the test and interview phase, FRA will assess the following essential and advantageous criteria.
Please note that all essential criteria are mandatory. If a candidate scores zero on any individual essential criterion, their application will not be assessed further.
The following criteria will be considered as essential:
- Proven experience of at least 4 years in a budget or financial assistant/management position;
- Demonstrated experience in budget reporting and monitoring, including in particular advising stakeholders or management on risks, planning needs and implementation prospects;
- Proven experience in report automation and data visualisation, with tools such as Microsoft PowerBI and Power Query;
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
The following criteria will be considered as advantageous:
- Sound knowledge of the EU Financial Regulations and budgetary rules and procedures;
- Familiarity with ABAC/SUMMA;
- Knowledge of Business Objects;
- Experience in accounting.
In addition to the essential and advantageous criteria, candidates invited to the interview and test phase will also be assessed behavioural competencies relevant for the position. In particular, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate:
- Strong organisational, time management and work planning skills;
- An ability to think creatively to solve problems or find solutions within the boundaries of the regulations;
- Clear communication skills and the ability to present complex information in an accessible way to non-technical audiences;
- A sense of teamwork, flexibility and adaptability.
Engagement and conditions of employment
A contract as a member of the contract staff will be offered pursuant to Article 3(a) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union for a period of 3 years. The contract may be renewed.
The successful candidate will be recruited in grade FG IV. The basic monthly salary for the grade FG IV ranges from €4,319.72 (grade 13) to €6,256.88 (grade 16) depending on the number of years of professional experience.
In addition to the basic salary, staff members may be entitled to various allowances, in particular a household allowance, expatriation allowance (16% of basic salary + household allowance), dependent child allowance and education allowance. The salary is subject to a Union tax deducted at source and it is exempt from national taxation.
FRA also offers a comprehensive welfare package including pension scheme, medical, accident and occupational disease insurance coverage, unemployment and invalidity allowance and travel insurance.
Moreover, FRA offers support for international schooling and has policies on teleworking and flexitime in its attempt to reconcile work and private life.
Under certain circumstances, in particular where staff members are obliged to change their place of residence in order to take up employment, the Agency may also reimburse various expenses incurred on recruitment, notably removal expenses.
Additional information can be obtained from the website of the European Commission.
For any further information on the contractual and working conditions please refer to the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of other Servants.
Submission of applications and deadline
Candidates are requested to submit their application electronically through the Agency’s website. Only online completed applications submitted in English via the e-recruitment system will be accepted.
Applications must be sent no later than 27 November 2025 at 13:00 CET (Central European Time).
Information concerning the status of the selection procedure can be found on our website.
In case you experience technical problems during your application please contact recruitment@fra.europa.eu.
Please note that due to the large number of applications we receive, the system may face problems in processing data when reaching the deadline for submission of applications. We therefore advise to apply well ahead of the deadline.
Selection procedure
A Selection Committee will be nominated by the Appointing Authority.
Eligibility of candidates will be assessed according to compliance with all formal requirements by the closing date for the submission of applications (see section "Eligibility criteria").
Only the applications of eligible candidates will be evaluated in accordance with the selection criteria as specified in the publication notice (see section "Selection Criteria"). FRA will invite the top candidates among those who have obtained at least 60% to the test phase.
The selection procedure will be composed of a written test and an interview, which will be held in English. They will take place either in Vienna (Austria), the place of employment where the Agency has its seat, or online. The shortlisted candidates will receive further detailed information in due time.
Candidates invited to an interview will be requested to submit a non-certified copy of their diploma(s) and evidence of their professional experience, clearly indicating the length and nature of their experience and whether full time or part time work. Prior to contract signature, the successful candidate/s will be requested to provide FRA with copies of all relevant documents proving the eligibility requirements.
Successful candidates will be included on a reserve list drawn up by the Selection Committee and adopted by the Appointing Authority of FRA. This reserve list will be valid from the date of its establishment (in year ‘N’) until 31 December of year ‘N+2’. Its validity may be extended. The reserve list may be used for future recruitment, should vacancies arise. Candidates should note that inclusion on a reserve list does not guarantee recruitment.
On the basis of the adopted reserve list, the Appointing Authority of FRA may offer a contract of engagement.
Please note that the Selection Committee’s work and deliberations are strictly confidential and that any contact with its members is strictly forbidden.
Due to the large volume of applications, the Agency regrets that only candidates selected for the interviews will be contacted. Applicants are invited to follow the recruitment process on the FRA website.
Equal opportunities
FRA is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that its recruitment procedures do not discriminate on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation. FRA encourages candidates with disabilities to apply. FRA encourages candidates with disabilities to apply. If you consider yourself to have a physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disability, please indicate any adjustments or arrangements needed, relating to your disability, to recruitment@fra.europa.eu, so that FRA can ensure your full and equal participation in the interview.
Data protection
Personal data shall be processed solely for the purpose of the selection procedure.
Please note that FRA will not return applications to candidates. The personal information FRA requests from applicants will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.
Should the candidate have any query concerning the processing of their personal data, they shall address them to: recruitment@fra.europa.eu.
For further information with regard to the processing of personal data, please see FRA’s Privacy Statement published on the vacancies page.
Appeal procedures
If a candidate considers that they have been adversely affected by a particular decision, they can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials and Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Union, at recruitment@fra.europa.eu
The complaint must be lodged within 3 months. The time limit for initiating this type of procedure starts to run from the time the completion of the selection procedure is published here.
Should the complaint be rejected, pursuant to Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, a candidate may request judicial review of the act. The appeal must be lodged within 3 months from the date of notification to the following address:
Court of Justice of the European Union
Rue du Fort Niedergrünewald
L-2925 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
It is also possible to lodge a complaint to the European Ombudsman pursuant to Article 228(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in accordance with the statute of the Ombudsman and the implementing provisions adopted by the Ombudsman. Before the Ombudsman can accept a complaint, it is necessary that the complaint is first addressed to the Agency. Any complaint to the Ombudsman (http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu) must be made within two years of receiving the Agency’s final position on the matter.