# European Parliament Positive Action Jobs Programme 2023 launched

- Link: https://euemployment.eu/european-parliament-positive-action-programme-2023/
- Published: 2023-03-26T21:19:47+02:00
- Author: Ben

The [European Parliament](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-parliament/)
has launched its **Positive Action Programme 2023**, aimed at promoting diversity
and inclusion in its workforce.

The programme seeks to encourage applications from underrepresented groups:

 * **women**
 * **people with disabilities** equal to or greater than 20% according to the [European Physical and Mental Disability Rating Scale](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/pdf/annex_II_staff_rules_ft.pdf)
 * people from **ethnic and linguistic minorities**

[**APPLY HERE**](https://apply4ep.gestmax.eu/81/1/positive-action-programme-2023/en_US?backlink=search)

If you are a member of one of the groups above, you have to **apply by April 25**.

The procedure is open to individuals who have never previously worked in an EU institution.
However, a previous EU traineeship will not disqualify you.

### Number of succesful candidates

According to the notice, **up to six candidates are likely to get employment contracts**.
The initial contract length will be one year, with a possibility of extension. The
announcement stresses that contract extension is not automatic and succesful candidates
should not count on it.

A **[reserve list](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/reserve-list/) of 20 successful
candidates** will be created and stay valid for a period of 18 months. Those candidates
not hired through the Programme, may be recruited as contract agents through the
general hiring process along with candidates of similar lists.

### Salary and employment conditions

Succesful candidates will be offered ‘contract agent’ contracts in grades II, III
and IV.

Salaries between the grades differ significantly and are additionally affected by
your family situation, whether you will have to relocate from another country, and
other factors. Salaries might be topped up by a number of [allowances](https://euemployment.eu/category/allowances/)
such as the ‘household allowance’ and ‘expatriation allowance’. Succesful candidates
will be entitled to the same [benefits](https://euemployment.eu/advantages-of-working-for-the-european-commission/)
as “regular” candidates in [EPSO](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/epso/) competitions
like EU school for children.

Read this article to get an overview of what is a ‘[contract agent](https://euemployment.eu/how-much-do-eu-officials-earn/#Salaries_of_contract_agents_FGI-IV)‘.

![How much do EU officials earn](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/
03/How-much-do-EU-officials-earn-1-1024x576.jpg)

**[How much do EU officials earn?](https://euemployment.eu/how-much-do-eu-officials-earn/#Salaries_of_contract_agents_FGI-IV)**

The website has also dedicated articles on each of the [contract agent](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/contract-agent/)
grades advertised:

 * [Contract agent FGII](https://euemployment.eu/salary-european-commission-contract-agents-fgii/)
 * [Contract agent FGIII](https://euemployment.eu/fg-iii-salary/)
 * [Contract Agent FGIV](https://euemployment.eu/fg-iv-salary/)

### Support to succesful applicants

The programme includes a range of initiatives, such as targeted **outreach events**,**
mentoring **and **coaching **programmes, and unconscious bias training for hiring
managers.

### Why is the EP doing this?

“We are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming
for all,” said a spokesperson for the [European Parliament](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-parliament/).“
By launching this Positive Action Programme, we hope to take concrete steps towards
achieving that goal. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, and we look
forward to welcoming a more diverse range of talent to our team.”

The [European Parliament](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-parliament/)
has a long-standing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in its workforce.
In 2021, the Parliament adopted a new Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which sets
out a range of ambitious targets for increasing the representation of underrepresented
groups in its workforce.

All EU institutions have an [non-discrimination policy](https://euemployment.eu/disability-and-employment-in-the-european-commission/),
however, this programme goes a significant [step](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/grade/)
further. It proactivelly encourages applicants with a systemic disadvantage (sometimes
known as ‘structural discrimination’) to join the European Parliament’s ranks. This
appears to be a unique programme among all EU institutions as neither the [European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/),
nor other EU bodies have something similar.

### History of the programme

The EP Positive Action Programme was launched in 2015. The programme will celebrate
a 10 years anniversary next year.

### Is it worth applying?

If you are interested in a job in EU institutions, it should be a definitive ‘YES’.

This programme gives a significant competitive edge to candidates that want to work
for the [European Parliament](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-parliament/),
[European Commission](https://euemployment.eu/glossary/european-commission/), EU
agencies and other EU bodies. Just like traineeships, being an interim, the Junior
Professionals Programme, etc., this programme gives you an opportunity to experience
the “EU system” from the inside and become more competitive for future “selection
processes” as hiring in EU instituions is sometimes known.

### Sources:

 * [European Parliament Positive Action Programme 2023 page](https://apply4ep.gestmax.eu/81/1/positive-action-programme-2023/en_US?backlink=search)
 * [European Parliament Facebook announcement 2023](https://www.facebook.com/EUCareersUO/posts/pfbid024sYodGY6XxhcRkNnB7YZZeLt6XbgqoU8pFghytXtrJE714AseW3BupEC5buNsXnjl)
 * [EPSO Facebook announcement](https://www.facebook.com/EU.Careers.EPSO/posts/pfbid0jHKvviGsmxqQ2uViYxFTDWQXVxrS5DPsfx29BgRA4Bx1vxgDgzYgJDP3TE7Wkd9dl)

### Further reading

![Disability and employment in EU institutions](https://euemployment.eu/wp-content/
uploads/2022/04/Disability-and-employment-in-EU-institutions.jpg)

**[Disability and employment in EU institutions](https://euemployment.eu/disability-and-employment-in-the-european-commission/)**