A permanent official working in the Institutions of the EU, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the Court of Justice.
Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Catherine Day, Secretary General
Catherine Day is Secretary General of the European Commission. She studied Economics and Politics at UCD. Her job is located in Brussels where she works together with all twenty eight EU states on policies. Her job is centered in a very stimulating multi-national environment.
Videos on the Web
- Administrator - EU- from: Youtube Search
Working Life
Administrators in the EU have frequent contact with individuals and organisations throughout Europe and the world. In the course of their work, they may have to liaise with people within their own institution, other European institutions, other international bodies and officials from EU member states.
Administrators support the work of Ministers from EU member states, for example, when they meet to approve or reject proposals from the European Commission. The proposals put forward by the Commission and other EU Institutions have a direct impact on life in all EU member states, so Administrators need to be very familiar and up-to-date with the current topic of discussion.
Administrators work on a wide range of tasks and projects in the EU. Examples include:
- Work in support of EU negotiations with the World Trade Organisation or study the trading patterns between countries
- Work on policy issues affecting the environment, i.e., negotiating an agreement with car makers to cut emissions of greenhouse gases
- Playing a key role in the EU's legislative and budgetary processes
- Coordinating the broad economic and other policies of the Member States,
- Taking part in trade negotiations with non-EU countries, or representing the Institutions in international forums
- Inspecting the fishing fleets in the Member States
- Developing or managing a specific scientific research programme
- Legal research and analysis for the European Court of Justice or drafting a decision of the European Ombudsman
Translators and interpreters are also recruited as administrators.
In order to carry out such wide-ranging tasks, EU Administrators have to handle a great deal of information. They collect information from a number of sources, interpret it and use it to help form policies and legislation, and to write reports or give verbal presentations.
EU Administrators perform a management role within their department. They supervise junior staff and carry out personnel duties. They might also be involved in deciding on new administrative procedures, for example, choosing a new computer system.
Further Information
- European Commission administrator- from: GradIreland
- European Union Official- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Administrator - EU
The institutions are looking for candidates who are talented, motivated, and highly qualified in their field, and who have the following competencies in particular:
- Analysis and problem solving - Ability to identify the critical facts in complex issues and develop creative and practical solutions
- Communication – Communicate clearly and precisely both orally and in writing
- Delivering quality and results – Take personal responsibility and initiative for delivering work to a high standard of quality within set procedures
- Learning and development – Develop and improve personal skills and knowledge of the organisation and its environment
- Prioritising and organising – Prioritise the most important tasks, work flexibly, and organise own workload efficiently
- Resilience – Remain effective under a heavy workload, handle organisational frustrations positively, and adapt to a changing work environment
- Working with others - Work cooperatively with others in teams and across organisational boundaries and respect differences between people
An additional requirement for posts in the Administrator career bracket (AD) is:
- Leadership – Manage, develop and motivate people to achieve results
As an EU Administrator, you will need strong intellectual ability to understand complex ideas and concepts. You must also be confident in using your initiative. You should have a keen interest in European and international current affairs, and a good general knowledge of the history of the European Union.
To get through an EU recruitment competition, you will need a thorough working knowledge of another EU language.
You need to be able to make important decisions and work to tight deadlines. You will need thorough and methodical research skills, as well as strong communication skills to explain facts and ideas clearly to other people.
A willingness to live and work in a multicultural, multilingual environment is essential.
Interests - Administrator - EU
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
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.
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.
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.
Entry / Progression - Administrator - EU
You can develop the steps in your career readiness in areas of: administration, communications, politics & policy, law, ICT and finance.
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: business, administration, communications, politics, policy, law, ICT, finance.
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: business, administration, communications, politics, policy, law, ICT, finance.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Sales.
Search for Apprenticeships
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: business, administration, communications, politics, policy, law, ICT, finance.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: business, administration, politics, policy, law, ICT, finance.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Study in Europe Eunicas [equiv NFQ/ EQF Levels] Search Eunicas Courses
EU Careers Entry
The permanent officials in the European Union form the EU Civil Service and are divided in different function groups – Administrators (AD); Assistants (AST) and Assistants-secretaries (AST/SC).
You must have a good command of at least 2 EU languages, a bachelor's degree for entry at Grade AD 5 (the entry level for permanent administrators), and several years relevant experience, to join us at a more senior level Administrators (Grade AD 7) EU Career Grades
In general, to apply for an Grade AD 5 Administrator competition, you must have:
- Completed (at least) three years of university.
- An honours degree in any discipline is acceptable, although certain posts may require a specific qualification, for example, in law, economics, accounting or statistics.
- Fluency in at least one of the official EU languages is necessary (usually your mother tongue), you will also need a satisfactory working knowledge of another EU language, in particular, French and German. It is worth noting for Irish candidates, that Irish is an official EU language.
The EU institutions also have linguistic grades, translators and interpreters, for example. Applicants need a degree to apply.
All Permanent officials are selected by open competitions organised by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). EPSO deals with personnel selection not only for the European Commission, but for all of the European Institutions. Open competitions are published in the Official Journal and announced on the EPSO Website job opportunities.
| See: EPSO - European Personnel Selection Office - EU Career profiles - Administration |
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Administrator - EU
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €66k
Monthly salaries in the EU Institutions range from around €2,300-€3,000 per month for a newly recruited AST/SC 1 official to around €19,000/ €28,000 per month for a top level AST/ SC6 official with over four years of seniority.
Data Source(s):
EU Salary Scales
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Administrator - EU
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.
Useful Contacts - Administrator - EU
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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]
- Click Here
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European Commission (Ireland)
- European Union House, 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
- (01) 634 1111
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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European Movement Ireland
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EU Careers - European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)
- Candidate Contact Service, Office C-80 00/40, B1049 Brussels
- 00800 6789 1011
- Click Here
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European Parliament Information Office in Ireland
