ECA/2026/17 - Budget Officer (2 posts) - Directorate of Information, Workplace and Innovation (SG2)

WHO WE ARE

One of the EU’s seven institutions, it is based in Luxembourg and employs around 1000 audit, support and administrative staff of all EU nationalities.

Our auditors check that the EU keeps good accounts and correctly applies its financial rules, and that its policies and programmes achieve their intended objectives and deliver value for money.

We are a modern and dynamic organisation striving for and promoting excellence, professionalism, transparency and integrity. We define ourselves as a diverse, flexible and equitable institution, which offers every individual the opportunity to maximise their talent. We are an EU institution on a human scale: this facilitates integration, allows for easier interaction, and encourages teamwork. We offer flexible working hours and opportunities for teleworking[1]. We value diversity and inclusion, promote equal opportunities, and ensure a respectful working environment based on open communication, dialogue, and mutual trust.

As part of the Secretariat-General of the ECA, the Directorate of Information, Workplace and Innovation (SG2) enables the ECA to achieve its strategic objectives by playing a central role in the proper functioning and development of the institution.

 
[1]    Currently, staff are allowed to telework up to 10 days per month. Of these, 5 days per month and a maximum of 30 days per year can be from outside the place of residence.

WHAT WE ARE OFFERING

This vacancy notice is being issued on the basis of Article 29(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union.

The advertised position is therefore open ONLY to AST officials of the European Court of Auditors, AST officials of other EU institutions and successful candidates in an EU AST competition for officials organised by EPSO or by one of the EU institutions.

We are seeking to recruit two (2) Budget officers with financial experience in the European institutions for the budget and procurement team in the Directorate of Information, Workplace and Innovation (DIWI).

Under the authority of the Principal Manager and the Head of Budget and contract management Team the budget officers will:

-      Undertake the administrative and financial management of budget lines in close contact with the operational managers;

-      Support the preparation of the annual budget and its follow up for the concerned budget lines;

-      Act as financial initiator preparing purchase orders and ensuring the settlement of expenditure;

-      Monitor and ensure compliance with deadlines in the various administrative and financial activities;

-      Prepare and monitor the execution of contracts for the concerned budget lines;

-      Ensure proper documentation of budgetary and contractual transactions;

-      Organise and participate in meetings, in particular those relating to contracts under their responsibility;

-      Ensure relations with suppliers, service providers and vendors.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The advertised position is open to applicants who, on the deadline for applications, meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Staff Regulations, as well as the following criteria:

1.     Knowledge of languages

As English and French are the ECA’s official working languages, a sound knowledge of one of these languages (minimum level C1 in understanding, speaking and writing) and a good knowledge of the other language (minimum level B1 in the same categories) are required.

Please indicate in your CV the language level according to the following assessment model:

https://europa.eu/europass/en/common-european-framework-reference 

2.     Experience and competencies

During the selection process, applicants will need to demonstrate:

2.1 Field-related experience and knowledge

—         at least 3 years’ proven experience in budget management and accounting;

—         good IT skills (MS Office, MS Teams).

2.2 General competencies [2]

—          critical thinking, analysing and problem-solving;

—          self-management;

—          working together;

—          communication.

3. Assets

The following will be considered as assets:

—          SAP software proficiency;

—          sound knowledge and experience in the Financial Regulation and procurement procedures.

In addition to this, applicants are expected to demonstrate motivation in joining and working for the ECA.

[2]    See  EPSO Competency framework

APPLICATIONS

The deadline for applications is 12:00 (midday) Luxembourg time on 29 September 2026.

Applications must be submitted only via the online form provided for the advertised position, and must comprise the following documents in English or French:

—          a cover letter;

—          an up-to-date CV, preferably in Europass format (see https://europa.eu/europass/en);

—          (only for EU officials not at the ECA) a document confirming your function group, grade and status as an official.

Successful candidates in an EU AST open competition must quote the relevant reference number in their CV or cover letter.

Applications received after the deadline or not submitted using the online form provided for this purpose will be rejected.

Applicants who are not included in the staff categories mentioned under the section “WHAT WE ARE OFFERING”, but whose profiles match with the language, experience and skills requirements, may express their interest in this position by sending a cover letter and a CV, within the same deadline and respecting the same format as described above, to ECA-Selection@eca.europa.eu. The ECA reserves the right to draw on these applicants if the post is not filled by an official or a successful candidate from an EU competition reserve list [3].

The selection committee will evaluate applications based solely on the information given in these documents. It may ask candidates to provide supporting evidence for statements made in their applications. If candidates fail to provide such evidence when it is requested, their applications will be rejected.

Based on the information given in the application documents, the committee will determine which candidates to invite to an interview. Candidates who satisfy the overall criteria set out in this vacancy notice will not automatically proceed to the interview stage.

To ensure that your application is completed on time, we strongly advise you not to wait until the last few hours to apply. Experience has shown that the system may become overloaded as the deadline approaches.

 
[3]    If the ECA were to draw on these applicants, the subsequent selection would be for a temporary post, grade AST 3, step 1.

RECRUITMENT POLICY

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS

In line with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy and Article 1d of the Staff Regulations, the ECA embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We accept applications without discrimination on any grounds, and we take steps to ensure that recruitment is evenly balanced between women and men, as required by Article 23 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. We also take measures to reconcile working life with family life.

If you require any special arrangements (due to a disability, neurodivergence or a chronic health condition) in order to take part in this selection procedure, please send an email in good time to ECA-Selection@eca.europa.eu .

DATA PROTECTION

The ECA is committed to ensuring that applicants’ personal data are processed in compliance 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, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC.

For more information, see our specific privacy statement on recruitment at the following address: https://www.eca.europa.eu/Lists/ECADocuments/Specific_Privacy_Statement_vacancies/Specific_Privacy_Statement_vacancies_EN.PDF

REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION — COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS — COMPLAINTS TO THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN 

If, at any stage in the selection procedure, you believe that a decision adversely affects you, the following options are available:

Request for the selection committee to reconsider its decision

You may submit a reasoned written request for reconsideration of a decision taken by the selection committee. Such a request must be submitted to the following address within 10 calendar days of notification of the decision, to ECA-Recours@eca.europa.eu. Where the last day of this period is a public holiday, Saturday or Sunday, the period shall end with the expiry of the last hour of the following working day.

Complaints

Under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations, you may submit a written complaint against the ECA’s decision to reject your application within three months of being notified thereof, to the following address:

The Secretary-General

European Court of Auditors

12, rue Alcide De Gasperi

L-1615 Luxembourg

LUXEMBOURG

Judicial appeals

Under Article 91 of the Staff Regulations, you may appeal against a decision to reject your complaint, insofar as it adversely affects you, to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The action must be brought by a lawyer within three months of notification of the decision to reject the complaint.

Complaints to the European Ombudsman

If you believe that the handling of your application has involved maladministration by the ECA, you may submit a complaint to the European Ombudsman, having first contacted the ECA with a view to settling the dispute. You must submit your complaint in writing within two years of discovering the relevant facts. An electronic complaints form is available on the European Ombudsman’s website. Complaining to the European Ombudsman will not suspend the above-mentioned appeal deadlines.