In general, Temporary Agents' contracts of employment have a duration of three years. They can be renewed for further three years and for a second time for an indefinite period.

Temporary Agent posts are classified according to the nature of the duties, current levels of expertise in the Agency and budget availability, in the following groups:

Administrators' function group (AD): comprises twelve grades from AD 5 to AD 16 corresponding to technical, operational, administrative, advisory and scientific duties. Assistants' function group (AST): comprises eleven grades from AST 1 to AST 11 corresponding to executive, technical and clerical duties.

Temporary Agents are required to serve a probationary period of six months.