Project Adviser – Fisheries, Ocean and maritime affairs

About CINEA

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), established in early 2021, is located in Brussels and has a dynamic, dedicated, multinational team of nearly 600 people who are experts in their field.

CINEA’s mission is to support the European Commission to boost green growth and clean industry in Europe. To achieve this objective, CINEA manages EU funding for projects in the areas of transport, energy, climate action, environment, maritime fisheries and aquaculture, to the tune of €65 billion over the 2021-2027 period. This is done through high-quality programme management that supports European beneficiaries to achieve ground-breaking results for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Projects that are funded cover a broad range of topics including innovative and clean technologies, greener infrastructures, and measures to improve sustainability.

CINEA closely cooperates with seven Directorates-General of the European Commission (DG Mobility & Transport, DG Energy, DG Research & Innovation, DG Climate Action, DG Environment, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and DG Regional and Urban Policy) to manage the following programmes on their behalf:

• The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF): supports high-performing, sustainable and interconnected Trans-European Networks. CINEA manages the fields of Transport and Energy.
• Horizon Europe: the EU’s Research and Innovation programme, where CINEA manages the programme’s cluster dedicated to Climate, Energy and Mobility actions and three Missions (Climate adaptation; Oceans, seas and waters; Climate-neutral and smart Cities).
• The Innovation Fund: one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, focused on highly innovative clean technologies and big flagship projects that can bring significant emission and greenhouse gas reductions.
• LIFE Programme: entirely dedicated to environmental, climate and clean energy objectives.
• European Maritime, Aquaculture and Fisheries Fund (EMFAF): provides funding to support the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the Union’s Maritime Policy and the EU’s agenda for international ocean governance.
• The EU Renewable Energy Mechanism: supports the achievement of the EU’s renewable energy targets by increasing investments in production capacity.
• The Public Sector Loan Facility of the Just Transition Mechanism: a key tool to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no one behind.

Working Environment

CINEA is based in Brussels. The number of staff is expected to grow further over the coming years, and the purpose of this publication is therefore to set up a reserve list, which will be used to cover the growing needs of the Agency. The reserve list may also be used by other Executive Agencies upon agreement between the respective Appointing Authorities.

The Agency fosters a culture of employee empowerment and engagement, emphasising collaboration, respect, integrity, trust, equality, diversity, and inclusion. The Agency and its staff are committed to a number of core values including innovation, client focus, excellence, well-being, care, work-life balance, sustainability and working together.

Creating a sense of belonging is central to the Agency’s culture, which supports skill development and well-being through various initiatives. The Agency’s comprehensive onboarding programme, supported by HR, the relevant teams, managers, peers and a buddy system, ensures a smooth integration for new staff. CINEA is excited to welcome new talent to the Agency.

More information on CINEA — Website: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/index_en; X (Twitter): @cinea_eu; LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3wtAjwd; YouTube channel available via the Agency’s website.

Description of the Job

The project adviser will be responsible for a portfolio of EMFAF projects related to Scientific Advice for Fisheries, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, International Ocean Governance, Ocean Pact, Sea Basin Strategies and maritime cooperation, Maritime Spatial Planning, Ocean Literacy and blue skills, Maritime Security, and Blue Economy Sectors (e.g. aquaculture, algae, clean shipping, marine renewable energy, etc.). The project adviser will work autonomously under the authority of a Head of Sector or the Deputy Head of Unit, and will also collaborate fully with a wider team of colleagues in the Agency and the European Commission (notably in the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries).

The project adviser will perform tasks related to all stages of the project management cycle, from the drafting of Calls for Tenders, Requests for Services, Call for Proposals and the evaluation of offers and proposals, to the preparation of contracts or grant agreements, the monitoring of projects, the assessment of technical and financial reports, dissemination activities and reporting feedback to policy-makers in the European Commission’s Directorate-Generals.

General Programme Management

• Manage Calls for Proposals, Calls for Tenders, ad-hoc Grants and specific contracts, including the selection, launch and monitoring of projects/studies/assistance mechanisms related to the specific Programme.
• Prepare the evaluation phase of the call and participate in the design of evaluation procedures, methods and documents; participate in evaluation panels and organise and monitor the work of external evaluators, if applicable.
• Analyse and present the evaluation results, provide input for future improvements and provide feedback to applicants.
• Conduct the grant agreement preparation with project coordinators and ensure the technical and financial consistency of the projects to be funded, if applicable.
• For Calls for Tenders, work on the technical specifications in cooperation with the partner DG and prepare publication. Act as a member of the Evaluation Committee and participate in the preparation of contracts as appropriate depending on the nature of the Programme. Liaise with the central support team for public procurement procedures and Financial Officers in all steps of the procedure.

Programme / Process / Project Management

• Monitor the implementation of projects, in particular the performance of project coordinators and partners and the fulfilment of contractual obligations, by means of periodic reviews and assessment of project reports.
• Act as the principal interlocutor of the beneficiaries or contractors during the implementation of the grant agreement or contract, handling incoming correspondence, including that with legal or financial content, in close liaison with financial officers depending on the nature of the Programme.
• Participate in project meetings and possible monitoring visits to explain relevant EU policies and procedures, to encourage networking and to monitor the technical implementation of the projects, if applicable.
• Assess and approve project reports and control the eligibility of expenditures, their regularity and their adequacy with the contractual provisions.
• Manage requests for grant/contract amendments in collaboration with financial officers, depending on the nature of the Programme.
• Fulfil the role of Initiating Agent for the operational aspects of financial transactions related to grant/contract management (including approval of reports and deliverables and visa for “certified correct” of operations), whenever applicable.

Communication and Publication

• Ensure the dissemination and promotion of project/study results, and present the programmes and projects at workshops, seminars, conferences and other public events.
• Write reports/briefings and provide statistics on project/study results upon request.
• Participate in the organisation of conferences, workshops, experts’ meetings and similar events; facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices.
• Regularly update the project’s database, and feed and manage IT tools related to various actions, including portals and websites if applicable. Contribute to the preparation of communication materials.

Portfolio Management

• Act as focal point for one or more specific thematic areas.
• Analyse clusters of projects within those thematic areas in order to extract lessons learned and policy-relevant feedback.
• Provide advice, support and feedback within the Agency and to the partner DG, and develop links between the Programme’s actions and other programmes/networks to facilitate synergies, if applicable.

Qualifications and Experience Required

A. Eligibility Criteria

• Have successfully passed a Contract Agent Selection Tool process (CAST) from the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) in the function group applied for, OR be registered in a CAST Permanent Call for Expression of Interest in function group FGIV, by the deadline for application of the current vacancy.
• A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma, OR, where in a Member State of the European Union access to a profession of an equivalent level to function group IV is by State examination, professional training or any other equivalent procedure, the authority authorised to conclude contracts of employment may agree to recognise this qualification as equivalent to a university degree.
• Thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the Communities and a satisfactory knowledge of another EU language to the extent necessary to perform duties.

In addition, in order to be eligible candidates must: be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union; be entitled to their full rights as a citizen; meet the appropriate character reference as to their suitability for the performance of their duties; have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service; and be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post. Only candidates who comply with the eligibility criteria will be considered for further steps of the selection procedure.

Candidates must be included in the EPSO database for contract agents in function group IV and must have successfully passed the EPSO selection tests for that function group (candidates on a valid EPSO list published in 2010 – CAST2010 – are eligible provided they have successfully passed the complementary DB3 tests). For candidates applying under the EPSO/CAST/P/2017 FGIV calls for expression of interest, the application will only be considered if the online application form has been completed and validated by the deadline for application to this vacancy; pre-selected candidates will be requested to undergo the EPSO computer-based reasoning tests, and only candidates who have successfully passed an EPSO CAST selection in FGIV will be invited for an interview.

B. Selection Criteria

Essential:

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: (1) Fisheries and International Ocean Governance; (2) Blue bioeconomy, aquaculture and algae sectors; (3) Maritime affairs and policy, including ocean observation, marine sciences, Maritime Spatial Planning, maritime transport and security, and sea basin strategies and cooperation.
• Professional experience in project management or programme management.
• Very good oral and written command of English (C1).

Advantageous:

• A university degree in one or more of the following technical areas: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Economics.
• Proven practical experience in the direct management of EU funds, in particular procurement and/or grants funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

Competences essential for the position (evaluated during the interview): high knowledge of Fisheries and International Governance or Maritime Affairs; high competence in project management or programme management.

Personal qualities essential for the position (evaluated during the interview): a high degree of organisational skills and ability to work under pressure; good interpersonal and communication skills; proven ability to work as a team member; ability to appreciate and follow priorities.

After being pre-selected by the Selection Committee, the Agency will invite for an interview the best candidates who have successfully passed an EPSO CAST in the relevant function group, with a maximum of 20 candidates invited to interview.

Appointment and Conditions of Employment

The jobholder will be assigned on the basis of a shortlist proposed by the Selection Committee. Prior to engagement, the Agency may request references from former employers and reserves the right to contact them.

The jobholder will be recruited as contract staff, in function group IV, pursuant to Article 3a of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities (CEOS). The basic monthly salary within this function group will depend on the number of years of relevant professional experience at the appropriate level (in function group IV, either grade 13, grade 14 or grade 16). Beside the basic salary, the jobholder might receive special allowances (e.g. child allowance, school allowance, expatriate allowance).

The jobholder will serve a probation period of nine months. The initial contract will be for a duration of 1 year. Afterwards, the contract may be renewed for 1 additional year. If the contract is renewed again, it shall be concluded for an indefinite period, subject to the conditions governing the Agency’s lifetime.

The place of employment will be Brussels, where the Agency has its activities.

Equal Opportunities

The European Union institutions apply a policy of equal opportunities and accept applications without discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Application Procedure

For applications to be valid, candidates must submit a detailed curriculum vitae, preferably in EU CV format, and a letter of motivation, including their views on the proposed position (2 pages maximum). The CV and motivation letter must be merged into a single document, named following the structure SURNAME_CV + ML. The candidate’s CAST application ID number, the reference of the CAST call and the name of the post must be mentioned in the CV and motivation letter, as both documents form an essential basis for the pre-selection decision.

Applications may only be submitted through the Agency’s eRecruitment system, available via the Job Opportunities section of CINEA’s website.

Closing date: applications must be sent no later than 31 August 2026 at 12:00 (noon). Supporting documents showing evidence of the provided information may be requested at a later stage. Candidates are invited to apply in English to facilitate the selection process.

In no circumstances should candidates approach the Selection Committee themselves, either directly or indirectly, concerning this recruitment. The authority habilitated to conclude contracts reserves the right to disqualify any candidate who disregards this instruction.

Selection Procedure

The procedure includes an oral test (30 minutes): an interview with the Selection Committee in English to assess the candidate’s suitability to carry out the duties of a Project Adviser; knowledge and experience in the field of Fisheries, Ocean and Maritime Affairs; knowledge and experience in Contract/Project management; communication, inter-personal and problem-solving skills; general knowledge about CINEA and related policies; and motivation and ability to adjust to working as a Contractual Agent in a multicultural environment.

This test is marked out of 100 (pass mark: 60). Applicants receiving the minimum score or above will be included in a reserve list of suitable candidates, which may be shared with other Executive Agencies; inclusion in the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. The Agency may hold a second interview with candidates on the reserve list prior to recruitment, and if writing skills need to be tested, a (non-scored) written test may be included as part of the second interview, used as an additional source of information for the final decision.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) or any other external assistance during the written test and/or interview is strictly prohibited; any candidate found in breach of this rule will be disqualified from the selection process and their application will not be considered further.

Information to Candidates

An acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to all candidates by email to confirm receipt of their application. All candidates will be informed in due time about the status of their application — i.e. whether they are invited to the selection phase described above or not — via email only. Candidates may request clarifications about the processing of their application by sending an email quoting the reference of the vacancy notice to CINEA-HR-EXTERNAL-SELECTIONS@ec.europa.eu.

Means of Redress

A. Request for Review

Candidates may request a review of any decision taken by the Selection Committee that establishes their results and/or determines whether they can proceed to the next stage of the selection procedure or are excluded. Requests for review may be based on a material irregularity in the selection process and/or non-compliance, by the Selection Committee, with the Staff Regulations, the vacancy notice, its annexes and/or case law. Candidates are not allowed to challenge the validity of the Selection Committee’s assessment of the quality of their performance in a test, or the relevance of their qualifications and professional experience; requests for review submitted on this basis will not lead to a positive outcome.

Candidates may request a review within 15 calendar days of the date of the email notifying the rejection of their application, indicating clearly the decision they wish to contest and on what grounds. The request should be addressed to the Chairman of the Selection Committee, quoting the number of the selection procedure, at CINEA-HR-FEEDBACK@ec.europa.eu. Requests received after the deadline will not be taken into account. Candidates who request a review will receive an acknowledgment of receipt within 15 working days, and the Selection Committee will analyse and decide on the request, providing a reasoned reply as soon as possible.

B. Other Forms of Contestation

Administrative complaints: candidates may address an administrative complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations to the Director of CINEA acting as the appointing authority, only if the rules governing the selection procedure have clearly been infringed and only for decisions that directly and immediately affect their legal status as a candidate; the Director of CINEA cannot overturn a value judgment made by a Selection Committee. Complaints must be submitted within three months of notification of the contested decision, to CINEA-HR-FEEDBACK@ec.europa.eu.

Judicial appeals: candidates may submit a judicial appeal to the General Court under Article 270 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 91 of the Staff Regulations. Appeals against decisions taken by CINEA’s appointing authority, rather than by the Selection Committee, are only admissible before the General Court if an administrative complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations has first been made.

European Ombudsman: candidates, like all EU citizens and residents, may submit a complaint to the Ombudsman, having first made the appropriate administrative approaches to the institutions and bodies concerned. Making a complaint to the Ombudsman does not extend the deadlines for lodging administrative complaints or judicial appeals.

Data Protection

The purpose of processing the data submitted by candidates is to manage the applications in view of a possible pre-selection and recruitment at CINEA. The personal information requested from candidates 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 individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data. Candidates are invited to carefully read the relevant Data Protection Notice available on the dedicated page of CINEA’s website.

Candidates have the right to object to the sharing of their personal data with other Executive Agencies; if they wish to object, they may contact CINEA-HR-RECRUITMENT@ec.europa.eu. In such cases, CINEA will ensure that none of the candidate’s data is transferred to the central repository of reserve lists.

Salary and Interview Period

• Salary range: > €50K.
• Interview period: from 01/10/2026 to 30/11/2026.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through CINEA’s eRecruitment system, including the completion of an application form covering personal details, nationality, education, professional experience and eligibility criteria. Only fully eligible candidates will be able to upload their CV and motivation letter (merged into a single document, named SURNAME_CV + ML), an option that appears at the end of the application. Applications must be submitted no later than 31 August 2026 at 12:00 (noon).

More information and application: https://eu-careers.europa.eu/en/job-opportunities/project-adviser-fisheries-ocean-and-maritime-affairs/cinea-2026-ca-fgiv-18