Grade and Step
The term ‘Grade’ refers to the European Commission salary scales row in which an employee is placed based on her/his previous work experience and other criteria. The higher the grade, the larger the basic pay of a staff member.
Hardship allowance
A hardship allowance for staff of the European External Action Service (EEAS) is a financial incentive provided to compensate for the additional challenges faced when serving in a posting with difficult living and working conditions. The EEAS recognizes that some of its delegations and missions are located in hardship stations — environments that are often…
Hardship station
In the context of international organizations, including the European Union (EU), a ‘hardship station’ refers to a duty station or posting location that is classified as having difficult living conditions and/or challenging work environments. Staff deployed to ‘hardship stations’ typically work for the EEAS, the European External Action Service, and are deployed outside the European…
Head of Sector
A Head of Sector in EU institutions is a managerial position responsible for leading a specific sector or thematic area within a larger unit or department. This role involves strategic oversight and coordination of activities within the sector, ensuring alignment with the broader objectives of the institution and effective contribution to policy development and implementation.…
Head of Unit
A Head of Unit in EU institutions is a managerial position responsible for the overall leadership and administration of a specific unit. Units can be independent entities in a DG or an EU agency, but usually two or more unit form a directorate or a division. The Head of Unit is accountable for the performance…
Household allowance
The European Commission ‘Household allowance’ is one of the allowances paid to some staff members of EU institutions. A staff member qualifies for the ‘Household allowance’ if she/he has had to relocate and is in a recognized partnership or/and has dependents.
Installation allowance
An ‘Installation allowance’ is a one-time payment paid to new employees of EU institutions that have had to change their place of residence. If the official is entitled to the household allowance (has a spouse or/and dependents), he/she will receive two months’ basic salaries. In all other cases the Installation allowance is equal to one…
Interim staff (Intérimaire)
‘Interim staff’, interims or ‘Intérimaire’ in French are short-term staff used by the European Commission, EU agencies and other EU institutions in periods of increased workloads or hiring gaps. Interim staff are not employees or staff members of EU institutions, but hires sent by third-party companies for work for EU institutions. “Intérimaires” have their employment…
Internal mobility
Internal mobility within the European Union (EU) institutions refers to the movement of staff members, including officials, between different positions, departments, or even EU bodies. This concept is a key component of the EU’s human resources strategy, allowing for the development of a diverse and flexible workforce capable of responding to changing institutional needs and…
Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme
JSIS or the ‘Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme’ is the European Commission’s primary health insurance scheme for employees of EU institutions and secondary health insurance scheme for their family members and dependents. JSIS reimburses 80-85 percent of most healthcare services costs, even medicines. In case of serious health conditions, 100% of expenses are reimbursed by JSIS.
Maternity leave
Maternity leave for staff employed by the European Union institutions is governed by the EU’s Staff Regulations. It provides for a minimum maternity leave period of 20 weeks, with the possibility of extending it in certain circumstances. In the case of multiple births or premature birth or the birth of a child with a disability…
Medical examination
The European Commission ‘medical examination’ is a mandatory procedure for all new staff of EU institutions. New staff members have to undergo it before they can start working for an EU institution. The medical examination has two main aims: to establish that a candidate is “physically fit to perform his duties” as per the Staff…
