The French Ministry of the Interior is seeking a versatile administrative assistant to support the Border Airfield Security Service (SPAFA) at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport. The position, reference BA069PNC-116772, is open to both civil servants and contract workers and represents an opportunity to contribute to France’s border security operations. Applications are being accepted until December 31, 2026.
This role, categorized as Category C (employee) within the French civil service, falls under the administrative sector and offers a full-time position. The successful candidate will provide essential secretarial and logistical support to SPAFA personnel, a unit responsible for controlling flights arriving from non-Schengen areas and ensuring the security of the airport. The position is part of the RIFSEEP Group 2, indicating a level of responsibility and potential for career development within the Ministry of the Interior.
Core Responsibilities
The primary duties of the administrative assistant will encompass a wide range of secretarial and logistical tasks. These include managing correspondence, answering phone calls, and providing administrative support to managers and service personnel. A significant portion of the role involves managing documentation related to training and missions, including expense reports. The assistant will also be responsible for maintaining the service’s filing system and coordinating travel arrangements for staff.
Beyond general administrative duties, the position requires a focus on “proximity administrative management.” This includes processing and tracking employee absences, managing career-related procedures, ensuring the accuracy of HR data within the DIALOGUE 2 system, notifying employees of decisions, and following up on medical visits. The role also involves managing mail distribution to the DIPN69 and SGAMI, handling orders for the waiting area, and managing the human and budgetary aspects of reservists.
About the SPAFA at Lyon-Saint Exupéry
The SPAFA at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport plays a critical role in border control, specifically focusing on flights arriving from countries outside the Schengen Area. According to the job description, the unit’s activities include detecting wanted persons, identifying fraudulent documents, and implementing non-admission procedures. They also conduct security checks and arrests in public areas, and provide security for visiting dignitaries. The SPAFA also ensures compliance with safety regulations on the airport platform.
The service currently comprises 179 personnel, including 39 administrative staff. The team includes one police commissioner, four police officers, 134 non-commissioned officers and police officers, and five police auxiliaries. The administrative assistant will report to the Head of the SPAFA Secretariat, as well as the Head of Service or their deputy, or the Head of the Operational Coordination and Administrative and Judicial Processing Division.
Working Conditions and Requirements
The position requires a 40 hour and 30 minute work week (with 29 days of compensatory time off), with variable hours. Discretion, versatility, rigor, and availability are essential qualities for the role. For civil servants, ISSPATS (a specific benefit for public sector employees) applies. Candidates should possess practical computer and office skills.
Applicants are expected to have a basic understanding of the professional environment. The job description emphasizes the need to apply regulations, organize tasks, and work effectively as part of a team. Strong interpersonal, adaptability, and communication skills are also highly valued. The expected duration of the assignment is three years.
Interested candidates can locate the required application form at the Ministry of the Interior website. Applications, including a CV and cover letter, should be sent to [email protected] by the December 31, 2026 deadline.
Further Information
The position is administratively located at SIPAF 69 – SPAFA LYON-St-EXUPERY – BP 106 – 69125 LYON AEROPORT. The job is classified as a “Gestionnaire RH / GRH001A” within the French civil service’s job classification system. Further details on the RMFP (Répertoire Commun des Métiers de la Fonction Publique) and REMI (Répertoire des Emplois et des Métiers de l’Intérieur) can be found at the French government’s website on public sector jobs and the Interior Ministry’s human resources portal, respectively.
The legal basis for this recruitment is Title III of Book III of the French General Civil Service Code, specifically Article L332-2, paragraph 2. Télétravail (remote work) is not available for this position.
The Ministry of the Interior will begin reviewing applications on April 1, 2026. For inquiries, candidates can contact [email protected].
This position offers a pathway for career development within the French civil service, allowing the successful candidate to deepen their knowledge and potentially move into more specialized roles within the field of human resources.
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