Working Life

Working in human resources, assistants in the EU carry out duties relating to personnel policy management in areas such as recruitment, careers, training, and equal opportunities.

Duties may also include:

• Managing and following up matters relating to personnel policy management, in particular recruitment, careers, professional training, equal opportunities, individual and financial rights,
• Drafting notes and/or correspondence, drawing up administrative reports relating to the fields indicated above,
• Preparing, holding and following up on meetings,
• Panaging projects,
• Analysing and developing working methods,
• Assisting with the implementation of accounting, financial, statistical and IT systems, etc.
• Managing a team.

Contract staff may also be employed to carry out some human resources duties.

Assistants (AST) usually work in supporting roles and are crucial for the internal management of the EU institutions.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

EU Human Resource Assistants must have:

• A good command of at least 2 European languages (one of which must be English, French or German), either
• Post-secondary education and at least 3 years' professional experience in human resources, or
• Secondary education and at least 6 years' professional experience.

Requirements for contract staff may be different check EU Career profiles.

If you are interested in working for the European Union, you should know that there are many opportunities to develop your career experience, skills, and qualifications. You can apply for various jobs, traineeships, or scholarships that match your profile and interests. You can also participate in learning and networking events, online courses, or mobility programs that can enhance your professional and personal growth. By pursuing a career in the EU, you can contribute to the common values and goals of the European community and make a positive difference in the world.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: accounts, payroll, HR, human resources management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: accounts, payroll, HR, human resources management.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: human resources management.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €55k - €175k

Basic monthly permanent official salaries range from around €2,300 per month for a newly recruited Assistant-Secretary (AST/SC 1) official, €4500 for an entry level graduate administrator grade (AD 5) and up to €16,000 per month for a limited number of top level Administrators (AD 16) at Director-General level. Each grade is broken up into five seniority steps with corresponding salary increases. Basic salaries are adjusted annually in line with inflation and purchasing power in the EU countries.

Data Source(s):
Official Journal of the European Union & EPSO

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Administrative assistants and officers (national and local government); officers of non-governmental organisations (e.g. administrators (charitable organisation); organisers (trade union); trade union officials.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The changes in classification as a result of the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017 are partly responsible for the strong employment growth rate for this occupation, although employment also grew strongly between 2019 and 2020, and continued to grow in 2022. Those employed are primarily female (69%), working full-time (90%), and over half (55%) held third-level qualifications. With a higher than average share of persons employed aged 55 years and older (31% compared to 19% for all occupations), replacement demand is likely to result in opportunities opening up for these roles even if employment growth slows.

There was a significant number of vacancies advertised online for clerical officer roles across the civil service and Government administration roles. However, recent job hires for 2022 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. While job openings are set to continue, upskilling and reskilling may also be required for those already employed in these occupations in order to reach targets set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2024 in areas such as in digital skills.

• EU Careers - European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

  • Candidate Contact Service, Office C-80 00/40, B1049 Brussels
  • 00800 6789 1011
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• European Movement Ireland

  • 8 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,
  • (0)1 662 5815
  • [email protected]
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• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
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• European Parliament Information Office in Ireland

  • 43, Molesworth Street, Dublin, 2
  • 01 - 605 7900
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here