VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – Political Adviser

Interested candidates who fulfil the criteria must complete (in English) application (CV) and enclose a one (1) page motivation letter, and return it to

[email protected]

with subject “Application Ref. No LC2025/01”

The EUSR will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure by telephone. Please address any queries concerning this procedure or related to employment conditions and benefits to 

[email protected]

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Note:   Short-listed candidates will be asked to take a written test. 

 Candidates who passed the written test will be invited for an interview.

Deadline for application:    Sunday, 24 August 2025 at 23:59 hrs (Brussels time).

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest.

Terms of Reference

Position Title:                          Political Adviser 

Position reference number:       LC2025/01 

Staff category:                        Local Staff 

Direct Supervisor:                   Head of Political Section 

Duty Station:                           Sarajevo

The incumbent(s) will report to the Head Political Section in the Office of the EU Special Representative (EUSR) and will contribute to the work of the EUSR and his political mandate in BiH. The incumbent will provide expert political analysis and advice and other related assistance to the EUSR and his staff members. 

The EUSR in BiH is double-hatted with the EU Head of Delegation [as of 1^st September 2011] and in accordance with the EUSR mandate to ‘facilitate progress on political, economic and European standards priorities”, the Political Adviser will act under the direction of the EUSR and will work closely with the European External Action Service,, European Commission services and other EU institutions as required by the EUSR.

The EUSR modus operandi and internal organisation may evolve in accordance with decisions of the Council of the European Union and in relation to the EUSR’s mandate in BiH. The duties and responsibilities outlined below are therefore typical but not exclusive and the EUSR reserves the right to reasonably amend the duties and responsibilities here within.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyze and report on the work of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) executive and legislative institutions with a specific focus on issues related to European integration;
• Provide in depth analysis and action recommendations on issues dealt with by the respective institutions, which have a specific interest for the EU. Coordinate these aspects with other EUSR/EUD staff, the EU institutions, the EU member states and other International Community representatives as required;
• Provide early warning and identify areas of political concern on upcoming political developments and decisions of the respective Institutions as appropriate, and advising on further action; 
• Advocate with the representatives of the respective institutions for legislative and political priorities which are of importance for the European Union, and advise on principal engagement and political facilitation activities; 
• Maintain close liaison with interlocutors and staff in the respective institutions, as well as in political parties;
• Represent the EUSR in parliamentary working groups when required:
• Draft speeches, talking points, and action memos for the EUSR and his staff members; 
• Provide legislative tracking through all stages of legislative process for the respective institutions;
• Liaison with the European Parliament on issues of relevance for parliamentary dialogue with BiH
• Focal point for the electoral process and improvement of it, including co-ordination and co-operation with domestic and international NGOs and respective international organizations and EU institutions on electoral issues.
• Provide design and support the implementation of EUSR Outreach projects. 
• Perform other tasks as required.

Professional Requirements/Qualifications

• University degree;
• Preferably at least 8 (eight) years of professional experience, and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in providing analysis and advice on political  matters;
• Thorough experience in the processes of policy-making and political analysis; 
• Good knowledge of the European Union, the European Union institutions, and relevant policies, including the CSDP and CFSP;
• Deep understanding of the political framework, the political institutions and the political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Competencies and Attributes

• Proven high level of integrity and ethical conduct in all professional responsibilities;
• Ability to take initiative and work in team setting with high sense of confidentiality and flexibility;
• Ability to operate independently;
• Proven lobbying and negotiating skills;
• Experience in legislative and governance issues; 
• Excellent analytical ability;
• Ability to operate within a fast moving environment and react appropriately to change;
• Excellent knowledge of the political environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 
• Thorough knowledge and experience of the order, interrelationships and working practices of the state-level and entity-level institutions;
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, and the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner;
• Excellent oral and written English;
• Fluent in the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• ICT skills commensurate with the scope of the post;
• Very good interpersonal skills to interact within multicultural environment. 

General conditions

• Citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• The candidate will need to be certified medically fit for employment by a competent authority/person in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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