Careers
ESMA is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive working environment. We recruit high quality professionals covering all financial markets fields. Join our team in Paris to gain experience in areas ranging from policy development, supervision, and economic analysis to communications, administration and legal services.
Help us shape the EU financial markets.
Join the ESMA team.
Vacancies
Working at ESMA
We aim to create and maintain a supportive and healthy work environment that enables you to have a sustainable work-life balance. Our initiatives include:
- Flexible working hours;
- Part time;
- Paternity & parental leave;
- Special leave under certain circumstances such as marriage, birth or adoption of a child and other family events;
- Unpaid leave; and
- Teleworking.
As a member of ESMA staff you benefit from individual annual leave days and between 17 and 19 public holidays, including the days between 24 December and 1 January.
Paris – City of Light
Paris, often hailed as the City of Light, is the cultural and emotional heart of France, where history and modernity blend with timeless grace.
From the ancient Gallic village of the Parisii to the thriving metropolis of the 21st century, over 2000 years of life and history have unfolded along the banks of the Seine.
The capital of France is situated in the north-central part of the country. It is one of the world's major centres of finance, diplomacy, commerce, culture, fashion, and gastronomy.
The city is adorned with iconic landmarks that defines Paris' skyline and character, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Panthéon, Louvre Museum, Palais Garnier, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Sainte-Chapelle and many others.
But Paris is more than just its iconic landmarks:
- It is a culinary capital, from cozy bistros serving up classic French cuisine to sophisticated restaurants dotted with Michelin stars;
- Its shopping scene is equally illustrious, offering from high-end boutiques to charming markets;
- Contemporary art flourishes everywhere in museums, art galleries and also in the street in different forms: painting, sculpture, music, etc.
And as the day turns to night, the city transforms yet again, offering opera, ballet, and a nightlife that pulses with energy until the dawn.
But perhaps what truly sells Paris is its ambiance. It is a city where romance is etched into the very cobblestones, and every corner holds a story, a secret, or a sudden burst of beauty.
Useful links
Relocation to Paris
Relocating to a new city can be a challenging experience, but we will help to make your transition seamless:
- To find your new home in Paris, you will be entitled to the reimbursement of a relocation agent that will help you navigate the French real estate market and find a new residence.*
- To integrate into the French environment, we organise free French language classes in-house to cover levels from A1 to B2. We also offer the possibility to study your favourite EU language using technology at your own pace, anytime and anywhere with an e-learning licence, and online language training for our staff.
- We contribute to the expenses for the purchase of IT and home office equipment to ensure that you are better equipped while working from home.
- Our staff member's children can be enrolled at the accredited European school in Courbevoie free of charge. The school currently offers English and French as teaching language.
* Temporary Agents and Contract Agents are entitled to relocation services.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Recruitment plays an important role in our effort to enhance and promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). Each member of our staff brings a unique set of skills and perspectives that contribute to the richness of our organisation.
At ESMA, we believe deeply in the power of DE&I to ensure that all staff members – regardless of their background, nationality, disability, religion, or sexual orientation – are treated fairly, feel valued, and have equal opportunities.
Embracing DE&I enhances innovation, effective decision-making, and creativity. By actively recruiting diverse talent and promoting an inclusive culture, we improve our operational effectiveness while also reflecting the rich diversity of the communities we serve.
▸ More about the ESMA DE&I and actions
Recruitment
We are publishing vacancies on the e-recruitment portal. Send your application for the open vacancies using the e-recruitment tool within the respective deadline (always 23:59 Paris time on the date stated in the vacancy notice).
If you wish to apply for more than one selection procedure must apply for each vacancy in separate application processes using the e-recruitment tool.
We occasionally consult the database of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO), any consultation will be published via a vacancy notice on the same e-recruitment website.
Recruitment Process
Our recruitment is based on the principles of transparency and equal treatment for all applicants.
Our procedure is non-discriminatory and based upon a comparison of the merits of all candidates.
Our evaluation of each applicant for the specific selection procedure is made based on a comparative assessment of all applicants for that vacancy by a Selection Board.
Where can I find the vacancies?
We invite you to regularly check the vacancies portal.
All vacancy notices are published for a period of at least 4 weeks. They are also published on the website of the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO), as well as on other relevant websites and/or magazines/newspapers.
How can I apply?
If you wish to apply for a position at ESMA, you must apply for a vacancy on our website, using the e-recruitment tool where you will be invited to create an applicant profile. For further instructions, consult the Candidate Guidelines (section 4).
I applied. What’s next?
The Selection Board members will evaluate each application against the requirements from the Vacancy Notice. The goal of the Selection Board is to evaluate all applications in an objective, impartial and transparent manner, and to identify the shortlisted candidates to be invited for the written test and the interview.
The candidates who pass both the written test and the interview will be placed on a Reserve list. For details, consult the Candidate Guidelines (section 4.6). In the Recruitment overview table you will be able to check the status of each selection procedure.
For more information on the recruitment process of Temporary / Contract Agents and Seconded National Experts, also consult our Recruitment Policy and the Privacy Statement.
Tips for Applicants
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Getting started
- Create an account and submit your application via the Vacancies portal. We do not accept any CV/motivation letter sent via email.
- If you have problems with the validation link or with the access to your account, you can send us an email to vacancies@esma.europa.eu.
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Drafting your application (CV and motivation letter)
We screen all applications based on the requirements (eligible and selection criteria) listed in the vacancy notice and then contact the most suitable applicants for next steps (e.g., a written test and interview).
- Indicate how you meet each selection criterion through experience and education in the CV. At ESMA, the evaluation is based solely on the contents included in your CV in reference to the selection criteria listed in the vacancy notice. Do not mention experience in the motivation letter.
- Adjust your experience to align with the position you are applying for. This is especially important for SNE and Traineeship applications, where the vacancy call is constantly open. Please explicitly state the department you are interested in working with.
- Tailor your motivation in a structured manner to each separate vacancy notice that you are applying for. Please indicate why do you want to work at a public EU authority, why you are interested in ESMA, why are you the best candidate for this particular position and what you would bring to the Authority.
- Keep it concise and to the point. Use short sentences to not have your CV to lengthy. Avoid complicated language, check for spelling and punctuation mistakes and give examples.
- Include your native language under the section of Language skills.
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Preparing for Written tests
- Inform yourself about ESMA, its governing structure, organigramme, latest documents, etc. and take an in-depth look at the selection criteria in the vacancy notice.
- We do not provide further explanation or guidance for written tests. You can expect to be assessed against the competencies in the vacancy notice under the “essential and advantageous criteria” We may also provide you with some supporting documents to work on and analyse, depending on the profile of the position.
- The answers must be exclusively from your own intellectual work during the time allocated. The written tests are online and non-proctored. Do not use nor access any external information or assistance.
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Preparing for Interviews
- We hold the interview in English. If you are an English native speaker, we will assess your knowledge of a second EU language (min B2 level) during the interview.
- We use MS Teams for the interview. We recommend testing your internet before the call to ensure a stable connection.
- The interview covers technical and soft skills questions and are predefined before the interview. You can ask your questions at the end of the interview. We will not provide you with any supporting documents.
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Reserve Lists
If you are successful in the specific selection procedure (and reached minimum of 60% from the interview phase), then you are placed on a so called “reserve list (RL)” in the given function group (FG for Contract Agents or Grade for Temporary Agents) in alphabetical order. The RL constitutes a pool of potential recruits that ESMA (or potentially other agencies) may use to fill vacant posts of similar nature.
- Your placement on a reserve list does not guarantee employment at ESMA. You may (may not) receive an offer during the validity of the RL.
- The reserve list remains valid for one year, with the possibility of extension by Executive Director. You can access it on the Careers website for consultation.
- Enrolling in more than one reserve list is possible. You can participate in different processes simultaneously, and your enrolment in one reserve list does not exclude you from entering another one.
- You can only be recruited within the grade and contract type of the position you were placed on the reserve list.
- Keep your CV up to date. If you have any update in your professional career, you may send an email to vacancies@esma.europa.eu with your updated CV and we will upload it in our databases.
Contracts, Salary and Benefits
We recruit our staff on two types of contracts:
- Temporary Agents on the basis of Article 2(f) of Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS)
- Contract Agents on the basis of the Article 3(a) of the CEOS
In general, the duration of your contract is five years or shorter related to the project activity, with a possibility of extension. For temporary agents, the contract may be renewed for an indefinite period. For contract agents, it might be renewed once for a fixed period. Any further renewal shall be for an indefinite period.
▸ Implementing rules on the engagement of Temporary Agents 2(f)
▸ Implementing rules on the engagement of Contract Agents 3(a)
We offer a competitive remuneration, long-term career prospects and life-long learning opportunities. Working at our premises in Paris, you will benefit from many initiatives to support your health and well-being.
As a member of ESMA staff, you will benefit from:
- Competitive salary
- Medical insurance & final salary pension
- Financial support
- Access to the European school in Courbevoie
- Career development
- Social corner
Salary
Competitive salary
Your salary is exempted from national taxes on income in all EU member states. However, a tax deduction on your salary will contribute to the general EU budget. Your salary takes into account the basic salary that corresponds to your grade and step (see your work contract), the family allowances, compensations, taxes and social contributions. This salary is impacted by a weighting factor to take into account the cost of living in France (currently 114.2%). Pay rates and correction coefficients are adjusted each year.
In addition to the basic salary, you may receive various allowances depending on your personal circumstances. Your final salary is calculated by adding the relevant allowances and by deducting social security contributions and other taxes.
Medical insurance & final salary pension
- Sickness insurance (JSIS: Joint sickness insurance scheme): for you and (in certain cases) your family members.
- Accident insurance: in case of an accident, you will be covered 24/7 worldwide.
- Unemployment insurance: in case your contract ends.
- Retirement pension: as an EU staff member you contribute to the EU pension scheme. You can also transfer-in your previous pension contributions to this EU scheme. In case you would leave the EU system earlier you will be able to transfer-out all your contributions to the pension scheme of your choice. The pension is granted after completing a minimum of ten years' service or reaching the pensionable age.
Financial support
As a newcomer you may be entitled to some or all of the following financial support (based on the individual situation and on the supporting documents provided):
- Family allowances: household, dependent child, education allowances. Family allowances received from other sources must be declared and will be deducted from those we pay
- Expatriation allowance or foreign residence allowance
- Daily subsistence allowance (time limited when taking up the duty)
- Allowance for travel expenses when taking up the duty
- Yearly travel allowance to cover the cost to travel to the place of origin/place of recruitment
- Moving cost reimbursement
- Relocation service
- Installation allowance
- Contribution to the purchase of IT and home office equipment
- Medical services (annual medical check-up and vaccination)
Benefits
Access to the European school in Courbevoie
Your children can be enrolled at the accredited European school in Courbevoie free of charge. The European School in Paris La Défense is based on a multicultural approach and is very open to languages. Respecting the educational model that is common to all European Schools, the European School Paris La Défense offers a comprehensive curriculum from kindergarten to the European Baccalaureate, a qualification recognized by all the member countries of the European Union, and many others.
Career development
Your performance is evaluated each year based on objectives agreed between you and the line manager. The appraisal system has a dual purpose, namely to assess your performance over the year; and to assist you in developing your potential, to further enhance your career prospects.
Your personal and professional development matters to us and we offer various forms of support:
- Classroom and virtual courses
- Webinars (both in-house and outsourced)
- E-learning
- Blended learning
- On-the-job learning
- Language development
- Team building
- Knowledge-sharing events
- Support for studies on your own initiative
To support you in your career, we develop tailored individual employee training programs, based on your self-assessment and appraisal, which will support your continuous professional development and also allow you to map out a career path within the organisation. We provide a variety of training opportunities in core competences, technical skills and management skills, through individual/group trainings, specific in-house events or external activities. As we grow, the possibilities for internal mobility will also increase, allowing you to pursue a long-term career path within the Authority.
We have also set up a mentoring scheme for all newcomers in one of the following staff categories: temporary agents, contract agents and Seconded National Experts (SNEs). Your mentor's role is to help you have a better understanding of the work and our culture at ESMA, introduce you to our ESMA network, and also to offer support and advice on work-related issues and practical issues related to living in Paris (such as housing, daycares, doctors, hospitals, etc.).
Social corner
At ESMA we acknowledge that good mental health and wellbeing is one of the most valuable assets and are committed to building a positive mental health culture by raising awareness and improving prevention. As a concrete measure to support colleagues who are developing a mental health problem or are in a mental health crisis, we have created a network of certified first aiders for mental health.
We established a Social Committee with the role to support social events and other activities in accordance with the specific social welfare needs of our colleagues in the best possible manner. The social events and activities organised by the Social Committee promote your integration into ESMA and in France, to foster a corporate culture and ESMA values, cross-teams-building and to facilitate the contact between individuals and families of different cultural backgrounds and experiences.
Initiatives of the Social Committee include:
- Funded activities: Covering 4 areas: Sports, Kids, Culture, Social
- Discounts' card: Discounted rates to leisure, sports and cultural activities and events, as well as discounted prices for holiday packages, kids' camps, and daily life services.
- ESMA Clubs (non-funded activities): Sport clubs, Cultural clubs, Social clubs
- Partnership with the French Ministry of Finance: A wide offer of sports and leisure activities for staff and children
Seconded National Experts
As Seconded National Expert you will have the opportunity to change perspective, bring your knowledge of the national context and gain experience from within the European Securities Markets Regulator. You will also benefit from a first hand experience in a multinational and multicultural environment, developing new skills and competencies that you will then bring back to your organisation.
Your secondment will contribute to further enhance the cooperation between ESMA and your organisation.
Applications are constantly open, please consult the available profiles in the vacancy notice.
Traineeships
Our paid traineeship programme is an opportunity for European students and graduates to have a unique and first-hand experience. During the 6-12 months of your traineeship, you will be able to put into practice the knowledge acquired during your studies and get a better understanding of what it actually means to work for the European Union. Work can include research, contributing to reports, compiling statistical data, performing operational tasks and participating in ad hoc studies and projects.
Traineeship vacancies are continuously open, applications are revised on a regular basis, and evaluated only when a trainee position is available in our budget. You are advised to follow the instructions mentioned in the traineeship call for applications (incomplete applications will not be considered as valid). We will contact you if a department has an open position that fits your profile.
