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Recruitment

Procedure

Vacancies for permanent posts in the secretariat of the European Ombudsman are filled through internal transfer or promotion, transfer or secondment of officials from other European Union institutions or bodies, or recruitment from reserve lists set up following open competitions organised by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) or by an EU institution or body.

Vacancies for temporary posts are advertised internally, to encourage career development of existing staff, or on the European Ombudsman's website. The Ombudsman also normally informs other European Union institutions of such vacancies. For profiles that are more regularly needed in the Ombudsman's Office, the Ombudsman may decide to publish open-ended vacancy notices with a view to establishing a pool of candidates who can be called for tests and interviews when a need arises.

Candidates who have succeeded in one or more selection procedures and who are particularly interested in working for the European Ombudsman's Office are welcome to express their interest by sending the reference of the selection procedure to the Ombudsman's Directorate for Administration.

Vacancy notices

Internal and inter-institutional call for expression of interest - Head of Unit - Directorate of Inquiries (AD9/AD12) - OMB/3/2026

The Head of Unit is responsible for leading and managing a team of Inquiries Officers within the Directorate of Inquiries The post-holder ensures the effective handling of inquiries in line with the Ombudsman’s mandate, maintaining high standards of legal analysis, drafting, and procedural quality. The role contributes to the strategic objectives of the Office and supports the Director of Inquiries in delivering timely, impactful, and well-reasoned decisions.

Candidates are informed that they are not allowed to contact personally members of the Selection Committee and that doing so constitutes grounds for disqualification from the procedure.

  •  
    Deadline
    26 June 2026
  •  
    Eligibility check
    1 to 6 July 2026
  •  
    Assessment of eligible applications
    6 to 15 July 2026
  •  
    Information to candidates
    22 July 2026
  •  
    Interviews
    9 & 10 September 2026

The deadline for applications has passed

The deadline for applications has passed

External links

EPSO

Visit the EU Careers website where you can search the database of available job opportunities for permanent and temporary positions, including contract agent posts, traineeships and secondments in EU Institutions and Agencies.

Traineeships

Rules

Every year, the European Ombudsman offers paid one-year traineeships to university or higher education graduates with a keen interest in the European Union project and, in particular, in how the EU institutions and their administration relate to citizens. 

Normally, notices specifying the profiles sought and the requirements for each profile are published in February and the traineeships start on 1 September each year. Trainees may be posted either in Strasbourg or in Brussels according to the needs of the Office. 

Since 2023, the Ombudsman implements a positive action programme for trainees with a recognised disability. 

Trainees in the Ombudsman's Office must necessarily have a very good command of the English language. Applications must therefore be submitted in English. For the same reasons, the documents concerning traineeship applications are only available in English.

IT traineeship 2027 - Java/Web developer trainee - OMB/T/2027/1

The European Ombudsman offers the opportunity to a Java/web developer trainee to assist in the development of the Ombudsman's Internet and Extranet sites and of internal web based applications.

Starting date: March 2027
Deadline for applications : 5 November 2026 at 13:00 CET

Apply