Head of Unit - Outreach and Engagement

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)¹  is organising a call for applications with a view to establishing a reserve list for the post of Head of Unit – Outreach and Engagement.

The registration of applications will begin on 2 February 2026 and will close on 16 March 2026 at 13:30 Eastern European Time.

The Agency

Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, EIGE is a decentralised agency of the European Union (EU) entrusted with specific objectives envisaged to contribute and strengthen the promotion of gender equality.

To achieve its goals, the Agency collects and analyses comparable and reliable information at EU level and develops appropriate methodological tools for the integration of gender equality into all EU policies. It fosters the exchange of good practices and dialogue between stakeholders and raises EU citizen awareness of this policy area by providing technical assistance to EU institutions, in particular the European Commission, as well as the authorities of the Member States.

In the course of its work to promote and strengthen gender equality, EIGE supports policy-makers with high quality research and comparable data relevant to their work.  

Job profile and duties

Reporting to the Director and working in close collaboration with the management team, operational units and external partners, the Head of Outreach & Engagement provides strategic leadership for the Agency’s communication, stakeholder engagement and knowledge management functions.

The post plays a key role in positioning EIGE as the EU’s centre of expertise on gender equality and in ensuring that its evidence, tools and policy advice effectively reach and support policy‑makers and other target audiences.

The post holder is responsible for a multidisciplinary unit of approximately 18 staff covering communications, stakeholder relations, knowledge management and capacity‑building activities.

The Unit delivers a wide portfolio of activities, including strategic communication planning, media relations, digital and online communications, event management, production and dissemination of publications, management of the European Union’s Instrument of Pre-Accession (IPA) programme, and coordination of institutional outreach.

A core element of the role is the development and implementation of a strategic and integrated approach to stakeholder engagement, ensuring coherence between EIGE’s multiannual work programme, communication priorities and the needs of EU institutions, Member States, civil society and international partners.

Main duties

The post holder shall in particular:

• Define, implement and monitor EIGE’s overarching communication and stakeholder engagement strategy, aligned with the Agency’s multiannual work programme and EU policy priorities on gender equality.
• Lead the Unit’s strategic planning, programming and performance monitoring in close coordination with the Research & Policy Unit and the Administration Unit.
• Provide leadership, direction and motivation to a diverse multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous learning and high performance.
• Ensure the effective communication of EIGE’s results, data and knowledge products to a wide range of audiences, including EU institutions, national authorities, civil society organisations, social partners, international organisations, academia and the media.
• Develop and maintain high‑level relationships with key stakeholders at EU and national level, including strategic engagement with the European Parliament, the Council, the European Commission and EU Presidencies.
• Oversee and further develop EIGE’s media relations, including engagement with mainstream European and international media, and provide strategic advice on reputational issues and sensitive communication matters.
• Plan and coordinate EIGE’s communication and outreach activities linked to EU Council Presidencies, in line with the Agency’s strategic objectives.
• Oversee EIGE’s Brussels Liaison Office, providing strategic guidance on priorities, ensuring coherence between Brussels‑based engagement and headquarters activities, and maximising EIGE’s visibility and impact within the EU institutional landscape.
• Ensure effective knowledge management processes, including the planning, production, dissemination and impact monitoring of EIGE publications and other knowledge products.
• Ensure the sound management of financial, procurement and contractual matters within the Unit’s remit, in compliance with EU financial regulations and internal control standards;
• Plan, monitor and oversee the implementation of the annual budget allocated to the areas of responsibility of the post.
• Represent EIGE, as required, in internal and external meetings, conferences and high‑level events.

Formal requirements and selection criteria

Formal requirements

To be considered eligible, applicants must, by the closing date of this call:

• Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years.
• Have a thorough knowledge (spoken and written) of one official EU language and a satisfactory knowledge of a second official EU language.
• Be a national of a Member State of the European Union.
• Enjoy full rights as an EU citizen.
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable national laws concerning military service.
• Be physically fit to perform the duties.

Selection criteria

Essential

• At least 12 years of professional experience gained after the award of the relevant qualification, of which at least 6 years in management relevant to the duties described above, preferably in an EU institution, agency, international organisation or comparable complex environment.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic communication and stakeholder engagement approaches at EU or international level.
• Proven experience in leading and managing communication teams and delivering EU‑wide or international communication projects.
• Sound understanding of the European Union, including EU decision‑making processes, institutional dynamics, policies and procedures.
• Proven understanding of mainstream European media relevant to the Agency’s mandate, and an established professional media network.
• Excellent written and spoken English, the Agency’s main working language.
• Strong diplomatic, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organisational, administrative and leadership skills, including the ability to manage priorities, work under pressure and communicate effectively with staff and stakeholders at all levels.

Advantageous

• A qualification in communications, journalism, European studies or another relevant field.
• Experience in public affairs, advocacy or institutional relations in complex EU or international environments.
• Good understanding of EU policies, strategies and priorities related to gender equality and non‑discrimination;
• Experience working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

Competencies

Further selected candidates will undergo reference checks focusing on managerial capability and will be invited for an assessment centre with structured aptitude and competence tests carried out by consultants serving in an advisory capacity to the selection committee. Candidates will be assessed against the following leadership competencies, in line with EIGE’s competency framework and the seniority of the post:

• Visionary thinking – Ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision for EIGE’s communication and stakeholder engagement role, anticipating future developments and positioning the Agency proactively within the EU policy landscape;
• Strategic decision making – Ability to analyse complex information, assess risks and opportunities, and take sound, timely decisions that advance the Agency’s strategic objectives;
• Planning and execution – Ability to translate strategic priorities into coherent plans, allocate resources effectively, and ensure high-quality and timely delivery of results;
• Adaptive leadership – Ability to adjust leadership style and approaches in response to changing contexts, emerging priorities and organisational needs;
• Resilience planning – Ability to anticipate challenges, manage uncertainty and pressure, and ensure continuity and effectiveness of operations in demanding environments;
• People management – Ability to lead, motivate and develop staff, manage performance, foster diversity and inclusion, and build a collaborative and high-performing team culture;
• Change management – Ability to lead and support organisational change, encourage innovation, and guide teams through transformation processes;
• Strategic communication – Ability to design and steer integrated communication strategies, ensuring clear, coherent and impactful messaging tailored to diverse audiences;
• Stakeholder engagement – Ability to build, maintain and strategically leverage relationships with key stakeholders at EU and national level to enhance the visibility, relevance and impact of EIGE’s work;
• Negotiation and diplomacy – Ability to represent the Agency effectively, manage sensitive issues, and negotiate constructively with institutional, political and external partners in a complex EU environment.

Selection procedure

The selection procedure includes the following:

• Only duly completed applications submitted electronically within the deadline will be taken into consideration.
• Each duly completed application will be examined with a view to establishing that the candidate meets all eligibility criteria.
• Eligible applications will be evaluated by the appointed selection committee based on selection criteria defined in this vacancy notice.
• The best-admissible candidates will be short-listed for interviews.
• Interviews and written tests will be in English.
• During the interview, the selection committee will examine the candidates' profiles and assess their relevancy for the post in question. As part of the selection procedure, candidates may also be required to undergo a competency assessment exercise and a language test.
• On the day of interviews, candidates will be requested to present valid documents detailing citizenship in particular a copy of identity card, passport or other official document specifying citizenship.
• If at any stage of the procedure, it is established that information in the application has been knowingly falsified, the candidate shall be disqualified from the selection process.
• Successful candidates will be included in a reserve list which will be valid for 12 months. The validity of this list may be extended. Each candidate will be informed by letter whether or not s/he has been placed on the reserve list. However, inclusion of candidates on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment.
• EIGE’s Director will appoint the selected jobholder from the reserve list, taking into account a gender balanced, geographically diverse organisation.

The internal proceedings of the selection committee are confidential and any contact with its members is strictly forbidden. Soliciting on behalf of a candidate can lead to immediate disqualification.

For applications to be valid, candidates must complete an EIGE application form available on this page. It is to be forwarded electronically to eige.hr@eige.europa.eu. The subject title should include the vacancy reference number.

Applicants are requested not to attach any supporting documents at this stage. Only candidates invited to an interview will be asked to present copies of documents for verification. Applications will not be returned to candidates but will be kept on file by the Institute in line with its data protection obligations.

Please note that the time between the closing date for the submission of applications and the end of the process to short list candidates for the interview may be several weeks.

Due to the large volume of applications only candidates selected for the interviews will be contacted.

Conditions of employment

The place of employment is Vilnius, Lithuania. EIGE operates from a modern, fully digitalised office located in the historic Old Town, providing a high-quality working environment that supports collaboration, innovation and efficient ways of working.

The jobholder will work in a highly multicultural and diverse environment, reflecting the European character of the Agency. Social dialogue is a core value at EIGE, and the Agency applies a participatory and inclusive management approach, promoting open, transparent and constructive dialogue between management and staff at all levels. A significant part of EIGE’s work is organised through cross-unit and multidisciplinary project teams, encouraging close cooperation, shared ownership and knowledge exchange.

EIGE is firmly committed to providing a respectful, safe and inclusive workplace and applies a policy of zero tolerance towards harassment, discrimination and any form of inappropriate conduct.

Working time is organised on the basis of flexitime with core working hours, in accordance with the EU Staff Regulations and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants and telework arrangements are possible. EIGE supports continuous professional development by offering access to a wide range of training and learning opportunities. In addition, the Agency provides various support and well-being measures for staff members and their families, including, where applicable, contributions towards schooling costs and other family-related support measures.

For reasons related to the Agency’s operational requirements, the chosen candidate will be expected to be available at short notice. An AD 10 Temporary Agent contract under Article 2f pursuant to the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union shall be offered, subject to nine months’ probation. The duration of the contract will be three years and may be renewed.

Remuneration consists of the basic salary as well as various allowances² depending on personal situation of the jobholder. For information, the current gross basic salary before deductions and the correction coefficient  weighting of 87.4% for Lithuania, starts at approximately €11,408 in step 1 or depending on the length of professional experience of the chosen candidate, in step 2 at approximately €11,887, Salaries are exempt from national taxation and subject to tax at source. Deductions are also made for medical insurance, pension and unemployment insurance.

Independence & declarations of interest

The jobholder will be required to enter into a commitment to act independently in the public interest and to make complete declarations of any direct or indirect interests that might be considered prejudicial to his/her independence. Candidates must confirm their willingness to do so in their application.

Equal opportunities

The Institute applies a policy of equal opportunities in line with the formal requirements noted above.

Applications are accepted without distinction on any grounds of gender, 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.

EIGE is committed to promote diversity and inclusion in its working environment and organisational culture. This includes Reasonable Accommodation for applicants with a disability³.

Appeal procedures

If a candidate considers that s/he has been adversely affected by a particular decision, s/he can lodge a complaint under Article 90(2) of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, by writing to The Director, European Institute for Gender Equality, Gedimino Prospektas 16, Vilnius, Lithuania LT01103.

The complaint must be lodged within three months. The time limit for initiating this type of procedure (see Staff Regulations as modified by Council Regulation No 723/2004 of 22nd March 2004 published in the Official Journal of the European Union L 124 of 27th April 2004) starts to run from the time the candidate is notified of the act adversely affecting her/him.

Pursuant to Article 195(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community and in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Decision of the European Parliament of 9 March 1994 on the Staff Regulations and the general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties, published in Official Journal of the European Union L 113 of 4 May 1994, it is also possible to write to: The European Ombudsman, 1 Avenue du Président Robert Schuman, CS 30403 67001 Strasbourg Cedex, France.

Further details on appeals

Protection of personal data

As the body responsible for organising the competition, the EIGE ensures that applicants’ personal data are processed as required by 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. This applies in particular to the confidentiality and security of such data.

Personal data shall thus be processed solely for the purpose of the selection procedure.

Lithuania and life in Vilnius

Lithuania is a Member State of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area. Its western coastline along the Baltic Sea is renowned for natural beauty, including sandy beaches, dunes and pine forests.

Vilnius, the capital, has a population of just over 550,000 and is situated on the banks of the river Neris. The city is known for its abundant green spaces and safe, family-friendly environment, offering excellent opportunities for outdoor and recreational activities. Vilnius combines rich cultural heritage, including Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and classical architecture, with a vibrant contemporary life, making it attractive for both professionals and families. Its medieval old town is one of the largest preserved in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994.

Vilnius is the country’s main centre for politics, business, science, culture and innovation. It hosts a growing number of international conferences, professional networks and cultural events, offering a dynamic yet accessible urban environment. The city centre is compact, well-maintained and considered very safe.

Public transport is efficient, and most areas of the city are easily accessible. EIGE’s premises are located in the Europe House on Gedimino prospektas, the main thoroughfare, with convenient access to public transport, services, cultural venues and educational facilities.

Vilnius hosts several international and bilingual schools, , that provide high-quality education. The city is also home to a wide range of cultural and entertainment options, from museums, theatres and music venues to restaurants, cafés and sports facilities, providing a balanced lifestyle for both work and family life.

Further information is available from the websites of Vilnius Tourism and Invest Lithuania.