Case Handler Officer

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the world – a better place. They come from the 27 Member States of the European Union.
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WE OFFER GREAT JOBS AND GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS:

•

Interesting and challenging jobs with plenty of opportunities for training and acquiring
new skills and competencies throughout your whole career

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• A package of flexible working conditions including the possibility of teleworking – we

care about your work-life balance

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pension schemes

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strongly promoted

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We do not only recruit political scientists and lawyers but are also looking for all kinds of
profiles, including scientists, linguists, IT experts, data analysts and economists, as well as drivers
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environment. We aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly
welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We actively seek to create a workplace where
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potential.

July 25

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates, we strongly
encourage applicants from Member States which are currently underrepresented in the European
Commission workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, Cyprus, the Czech
Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta,
Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Sweden1. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the
merits of all applicants and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member
State.

For more information ec.europa.eu/work-with-us

STAFF RECRUITED ON CONTRACTS

In addition to permanent officials, the European Commission offers non-permanent positions.
There are two categories of non-permanent staff:

•

•

temporary agents are recruited to fill vacant positions for a set amount of time or
to perform highly specialised tasks.
contract agents may provide additional capacity in specialised fields where an
insufficient number of officials is available or carry out a number of administrative or
manual tasks. They are generally recruited for fixed-term contracts (maximum 6 years in
any EU Institution), but in some cases they can be offered contracts for an indefinite
duration (in offices, agencies, delegations or representations).

For more information on different staff categories

1 Please note that the list of underrepresented Member States may be subject to future amendment based on potential
data changes over time.

(Selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237

Case handler officer

Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) of the
European Commission

Selection reference: COMP/COM/2026/1237
Domain*: Law
Where: Unit COMP A.4- European Competition Network and Private enforcement “, Brussels
Staff category and Function Group: Temporary agent 2b– Administrator
Grade range: AD5-7
Publication deadline- 07.07.2026 – 12:00 (noon Brussels time)

WE ARE

Unit A4 shapes antitrust enforcement and policy across the Union by ensuring effective and
coherent application of the EU competition rules by the European Competition Network “ECN”
(made up of national competition authorities (“NCAs”) and the Commission) and by national
courts.

The work in our unit thus provides for a unique and diverse combination of horizontal policy
initiatives and antitrust casework.

In particular, we are closely involved in the ongoing antitrust-related policy and legislative work
at DG COMP and bring in the ECN perspective in those policy discussions. The Unit is currently
co-leading together with Unit A1 two major policy initiatives, namely the evaluation of
Regulation 1/2003 and the Guidelines on Exclusionary Abuses of Dominance.

The unit is currently also verifying the complete and correct transposition of the ECN+ Directive
(harmonizing and boosting national antitrust procedures) and regularly supports national
ministries and NCAs in this context.

We are moreover responsible for legal and policy issues relating to private enforcement of the
antitrust rules across the EU and will conduct any potential future report of the Antitrust
Damages Directive. In addition, we steer the cooperation of DG COMP with the Association of
European Competition Law Judges and manage a significant budget to finance the training of
national judges in EU competition law.

As regards case-related work, Unit A4 assesses the consistence of national draft decisions
applying Articles 101/102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),
provides support and legal advice to NCAs and conducts case allocation discussions to
determine the well-placed authority to deal with a case in the network.

(Selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237

Unit A4 is also in charge of DG COMP’s assessment of preliminary ruling references concerning
Articles 101/102 TFEU. We regularly attend court hearings in support of the Commission’s Legal
Service. In addition, the unit prepares the Commission’s opinions submitted to national courts, e.g.
as amicus curiae.

Finally, our unit is in charge of ensuring the ECN cooperation under the Digital Markets Act (“DMA”),
including the coordination of cases under the DMA, Article 101/102 TFEU and stricter national laws.

This broad portfolio results in an unparalleled mix of highly stimulating legal work and day-to-day
interactions with external stakeholders such as NCAs, national ministries and judges, which is truly
unique within DG COMP.

WE PROPOSE

Our new colleague will be part of our team of committed and dynamic colleagues.

S/he will take responsibility to follow the enforcement work of several NCAs. This includes
discussing case allocation, theories of harm and providing legal assessment on various matters
that arise in the context of national cases, acting as interface between DG COMP and these NCAs,
including as regards investigations in digital markets. The position may also include responsibility
for one of the ECN working groups where we discuss with NCAs cases and policy developments.

S/he will moreover shape DG COMP’s input in preliminary ruling references and requests for
information and opinions from national courts and amicus curiae interventions. In addition, s/he
may be involved in one or more antitrust policy projects conducted by the unit, such as the review
of Regulation 1/2003 or the Guidelines on Exclusionary Abuses of Dominance.

The work in our unit is intellectually challenging, outward-bound and rewarding, in a friendly team
with an informal atmosphere in which own initiatives are encouraged and constructive teamwork,
information sharing and open discussions are valued. We give special attention to maintain a
working environment that is both pleasant and productive.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a new colleague with in-depth knowledge and practical experience in EU
competition law, in particular antitrust rules. S/he should have strong legal skills, the proven ability
to assess complex antitrust issues arising in different sectors and to assess them in view of
applicable case-law and their wider competition policy context.

Our new colleague has proven experience in coordinating the work of enforcement agencies and
dealing with policy issues relating to public and/or private enforcement of competition law, in
particular in the area of Article 102 TFEU. In addition, our new colleague has proven experience and
involvement in litigation before the EU Courts on competition matters. Finally, it would be an
important asset to have proven experience in the application of competition rules to the digital
sector, notably as regards the interaction between competition rules, the Digital Markets Act and
other regulatory frameworks (such as consumer protection and data protection laws).

(Selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237

Our new colleague needs to have excellent analytical and drafting skills, a strong sense of initiative
and work ethics, as well as the ability to work both individually and as part of a team and deliver
within deadlines. S/he also needs well developed soft skills to build up and maintain smooth
contacts with relevant institutional stakeholders, associated Commission services and NCAs and
national courts. It is therefore a strong asset to have excellent communication and negotiation
skills.

An excellent command of English and Italian is essential for this post. Commanding additional EU
languages would be an advantage.

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST?

You should send your documents in a single pdf in the following order:
1. your CV
Please send these documents by the publication deadline to [email protected]
indicating the selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237 in the subject.

2. completed application form.

No applications will be accepted after the publication deadline.

(Selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237

ANNEX

1. Selection

 Am I eligible to apply?

You must meet the following eligibility criteria when you validate your application:

Our rules provide that you can only be recruited as a temporary agent at the European Commission if you:

General criteria:

• Are a citizen of a Member State of the EU and enjoy full rights as a citizen
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by applicable laws concerning military service
• Are physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post
• Produce the appropriate character references as to suitability for the performance of the duties.

Qualifications:
In order to be recruited for this position, you must have at least a level of education which
corresponds to completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma.

Only qualifications issued or recognised as equivalent by EU Member State authorities (e.g. by the
Ministry of Education) will be accepted. Furthermore, before recruitment, you will be required to
provide the documents that corroborate the eligibility criteria (diplomas, certificates and other
supporting documents).

Languages:
•

have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1) of one of the 24 official languages of the
EU2

• AND a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2) of a second official language of the EU,

to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties.

 What about the selection steps?

The post was published internally within the Commission, inter-institutionally, and brought to the
attention of competition laureates.

2 The official languages of the European Union are: BG (Bulgarian), CS (Czech), DA (Danish), DE (German), EL
(Greek), EN (English), ES (Spanish), ET (Estonian), FI (Finnish), FR (French), GA (Irish), HR (Croatian), HU
(Hungarian), IT (Italian), LT (Lithuanian), LV (Latvian), MT (Maltese), NL (Dutch), PL (Polish), PT (Portuguese), RO
(Romanian), SK (Slovak), SL (Slovenian), SV (Swedish).

(Selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237

In accordance with Article 29 of the Staff Regulations, applications from Commission officials,
officials from other Institutions, and laureates of competitions have priority3. If these candidates do
not best fit the requirements for the position, the Commission can recruit a temporary agent.

A selection panel will choose a limited number of candidates for interview, based on the CV and
application form that they submitted. Due to the large volume of applications, we may receive,
only candidates selected for the next step of the selection phase will be notified.

For operational reasons and in order to complete the selection procedure as quickly as possible in
the interest of the candidates and of the institution, the selection procedure will be carried out in
English and possibly in another language.

2. Recruitment

The candidate selected for recruitment will be requested to supply documentary evidence in
support of the statements made in their application.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a mandatory pre-recruitment medical check-
up, carried out by the Commission.

 Type of contract and working conditions

The place of employment will be Brussels.

In case the successful candidate is not an official or a competition laureate, they will be recruited
as a temporary agent under Article 2(b) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants,
in function groups AD.

3 Officials from the Commission or other Institutions are invited to use the standard channels (Sysper or inter-
institutional vacancy portal).

(Selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237

 Grade

The recruitment grade, as well as the step in that grade, will be determined in accordance with
Commission Decision C(2025)4716 on policies for the engagement and use of temporary agents
and with Commission Decision C(2013)8970 laying down the criteria applicable to classification in
step on engagement.

The recruitment grade will be calculated based on the qualifications and the number of years of professional
experience, according to Art. 13 of the Commission Decision C(2025)4716. Higher grades may be granted
exceptionally.

The duration of the 1st contract will be of 1 to 4 years. The contract might then be extended
only once for a maximum of 2 years and in the interest of service, in accordance with Commission
Decision C(2025)4716 on policies for the engagement and use of temporary agents.

All new staff have to successfully complete a 9-month probationary period.

The pay of staff members consists of a basic salary supplemented with specific allowances,
including, where applicable, expatriation and family allowances. The provisions guiding the
calculation of these allowances can be consulted in the Conditions of Employment of Other
Servants. As a member of staff of the European institutions, your pay is subject to a tax raised by
those institutions.

The European Commission applies a policy of equal opportunities and non-discrimination in
accordance with Article 1d of the Staff Regulations.

Should you need further information on working conditions, please refer to Working conditions and
benefits of EU Careers.

For information related to Data Protection, please see the Specific Privacy Statement under “7.
Information to data subjects on their rights”, to find your rights and how to exercise them in
addition to the privacy statement, which summarises the processing of your data.

(Selection reference COMP/COM/2026/1237