EFSA Seconded National Experts Call 2025-2027

EFSA Seconded National Experts Call 2025-2027

EFSA SECONDED NATIONAL EXPERTS CALL
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), based in Parma, Italy, is opening positions for Seconded National Experts (SNEs) across all Units and Departments.

As an SNE you will serve a dual role: you will bring your expertise to EFSA and take back to your home administration the knowledge acquired during your period of secondment, fostering mutual exchange and strengthening cooperation between EFSA and its partners.

IS THIS SECONDMENT FOR ME?

Are you a qualified professional working for a public administration searching for a challenge in a stimulating and dynamic EU Agency? Do you want to apply your skills and knowledge to contribute to achieving EFSA's objectives and strategy? Is your organisation seeking opportunities to cooperate and build synergies with EFSA?

WHY EFSA?

EFSA employs around 570 staff members, and its Scientific Committee and Panels engage highly qualified and independent scientific experts. Every position within EFSA plays an important part in creating an inspirational environment in which to work and develop.

EFSA’s standards and values are driven by ethics and integrity and all staff is expected to act in a manner consistent with its principles, including fairness, transparency and impartiality in work practices and conduct towards other people.

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?

Working at EFSA

As an SNE at EFSA, you'll become an integral part of a dynamic, multicultural team, contributing your professional knowledge to the Agency’s activities. Depending on your expertise and assigned Unit, your tasks may include supporting scientific panels, participating in data collection and risk assessment, or engaging in communication and business support. Your role will allow you to share knowledge, gain new skills, and enhance collaboration within EFSA.

This position provides an opportunity to gain experience at a leading EU scientific agency, furthering your professional development. The experience you acquire will benefit both your home administration and EFSA, contributing to the enhancement of the EU’s scientific assessment capacity.

Benefits

The selected SNEs might be entitled to a daily and a monthly allowance and to reimbursement of travel expenses at the start and the end of the secondment.

EFSA also offers flexible working hours, possibility to telework, access to well-being initiatives, and training and development opportunities.

WHAT ARE THE SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

You must satisfy the following requirements for applying for a secondment position at EFSA:

I. Eligibility criteria

1. Be nationals of a European Union or EFTA Member State or a country with which the Council has decided to open accession negotiations and which has concluded a specific agreement with EFSA on staff secondments, except where the Executive Director grants derogation;
2. Be employed by a national, regional or local public administration or an intergovernmental organisation[1];
3. Have worked for your employer on a permanent or contract basis for at least 12 months before the secondment and shall remain in the service of that employer throughout the period of secondment;
4. Have at least three (3) years full-time experience in administrative, scientific, technical, advisory or supervisory functions at a level equivalent to the post;
5. Have thorough knowledge of one of the European official languages and a satisfactory knowledge of another European official language to the extent necessary for the performance of his duties;
6. Meet the character requirements needed for the duties involved (e.g. a sworn affidavit to the effect that you have no criminal record).

II. Selection criteria

Experience and Knowledge

1. Expertise in an area relating to the activities of EFSA.
2. Interest and motivation to build partnership with EFSA, hence contribute to enhancing the EU's risk assessment community.
3. Ability to communicate effectively in English at all levels both orally and in writing.

[1] “Public administration” means all State administrative services at central, federal, regional or local level, comprising ministries, government and parliament services, the courts, central banks, and the administrative services of local authorities, as well as the decentralised administrative services of the State and of such authorities. The Executive Director may also authorise the secondment of an SNE whose employer is an independent university or research organisation which does not set out to make profits for redistribution or is in fact part of the public sector.