FAQ's on Recruitment

1. When and where are vacancy notices for the Agency published?

Candidates interested in a career at ENISA are invited to follow the vacancy notices of the Agency,  as they regularly are published on:

2. What is a Temporary Agent?

As for any EU agency, most of the ENISA staff are “Temporary Agent” posts. Information concerning Temporary staff, within the meaning of Article 2 of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities, can be found on:the website of The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO).

3. Is ENISA a European Union institution?

ENISA stands for the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity and works for the European Union and the Member States. It is one of the European Union’s presently 30 agencies, that is a body under European public law. Nevertheless, ENISA is an independent European authority, distinct from the EU institutions such as the Council, European Parliament, Commission, etc. ENISA possesses its own legal personality and financial independence and integrity and full reponsability for its decisions. The Agency became operational on 1, September 2005.

4. When are recruitments scheduled to take place?

All vacancy notices are published on the Agency’s website and ENISA's recruitment platform, so you are invited to follow any of them for updates.

5. What does the recruitment procedure consist of?

The selection procedure and the conditions of recruitment will be clearly set out in all of the ENISA’s vacancy notices. The Agents of ENISA will be appointed by the Executive Director, on the basis of short lists, established by a selection committee. Any applications which do not meet the exact requirements specified in a vacancy notice (i.e. incomplete application, applications sent after the deadline or the detailed criteria listed under "the eligibility criteria") will automatically be rejected. With the exception of the Executive Director, and the Accountant, who were appointed by the Management Board, all temporary members of the staff are appointed by the Executive Director.

6. What are the selection criteria?

The selection procedure and the conditions of recruitment will be clearly set out in all of the Agency's vacancy notices. Applicants will be selected on the basis of the eligibility and selection criteria specified in each vacancy notice. Applicants must meet all the required eligibility and selection criteria (for example concerning the required degrees or years of experience) by the application closing date mentioned in each vacancy notice.

7. When will interviews take place?

Applicants short-listed for an interview will be informed once all applications have been examined. The interview date will be set within a reasonable time after the closing date for the applications, which is given in the vacancy notice. Applicants are invited to regularly check the information posted on the website, under Careers, where regular updates are made regarding the recruitment process. The time taken to invite applicants for an interview depends on the number of applications received for each Vacancy Notice.

8. What language should I use in my application for a post at the Agency?

Applicants may use any of the official languages of the European Union when applying for a post advertised by the Agency.

However, in order to speed up the selection process and to reduce the amount of the translations needed, applicants are invited to use English. 

Note that applicants will not be disadvantaged in any way whatsoever if they use any of the other official languages of the European Union - this request simply enables the Agency to process applications faster.

9. How long does the recruitment procedure take?

As a rough estimation only, the recruitment procedure may take 3 months from the date when a position is first advertised, to the final offer being made. An extensive need for translations into the working languages of the selection panels may cause delays, even beyond the estimate given above.

10. I am an expert from outside the EU. May I still apply for a vacancy advertised by the Agency?

To apply for a position at ENISA and any EU-authority or institution, it is mandatory to be a citizen of one of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

11. Will I receive an acknowledgement receipt of my application to fill a vacancy?

The Agency acknowledges receipt of all applications. The time taken to invite applicants for an interview depends on the number of applications received for each Vacancy Notice.