Policy Officer - Economic and Trade Affairs (Local Agent Group I)
We are
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organizations. Abroad, the EU is represented through more than 140 diplomatic representations, known also as EU Delegations, which have a similar function to those of an embassy.
The EU Delegation to the Pacific in Suva, Fiji works in close coordination with the Embassies and Consulates of the 27 EU Member States. We are a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and represent the EU in dealings with the Government of Fiji and of the 12 other Pacific Island Countries. The Section of the EU Delegation called “Regional Partnerships in the Pacific” oversees the EU’s bilateral and regional development assistance benefitting the 13 Pacific Island Countries, the three French Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Pacific and (as of 01/09/2026) Papua New Guinea.
We offer
The post of Policy Officer (Group I) is offered in the Delegation’s Regional Partnerships Section, under a fixed-term employment contract of 2 years. For internal candidates holding an indefinite-term contract, alternative contractual arrangements may apply in accordance with institutional policies. The Section consists of 50+ people and there are occasional atypical working hours, in the evening/morning, to accommodate online meetings with headquarters and stakeholders based in Europe.
The recruited person will be attributed functions depending on the needs of the Delegation which may evolve over time. The successful candidate will serve under the authority of the Head of Delegation/Chargé d'affaires, instructions from the Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, and the supervision of the Head of Regional Partnerships and a Team Leader, providing support, expertise and assistance with managing EU trade policy in the Pacific Island Countries, Papua New Guinea and/or the three French Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).
The following main tasks and duties are currently required:
POLICY MONITORING
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Follow all issues regarding the negotiation, implementation and impact monitoring of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Pacific States, and related instruments at national level in Fiji, the other 3 EPA States (PNG, Samoa and Solomon Islands) and the acceding States, as well as at regional level, and other agreements pertaining to trade.
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Monitor the situation and track the evolution of policies in the economic and trade fields of the host country/region. Particular attention will be paid to trade flows, forecasts, fiscal policy, tax system, financial services, land ownership regime, intellectual property rights, competition, foreign investment, etc.
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Monitor the host country/region's position in on-going or planned multilateral, regional, or bilateral trade negotiations (World Trade Organisation/Doha Development Agenda, Free Trade Areas, etc.) and monitor regional integration matters in connection with trade.
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Follow closely and provide input to development cooperation programming related to trade/private sector development in the region.
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Monitor and analyse trade, investment and economic developments relating to EU-Fiji (and the 3 Pacific EPA States) relations and to Pacific region, including the geographical widening and the implementation of the EU-Pacific EPA.
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Monitor regional integration matters in connection with trade, both for the Pacific States and for the Pacific OCTs.
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Follow all national and regional trade policy developments and their possible impact on trade relations with the EU.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION
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Monitor and report, regularly and in a timely fashion to Headquarters on all trade issues, as well as in response to any specific requests.
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Contribute to regular press/media reviews concerning local coverage of issues of importance to Headquarters.
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Provide on request briefings, draft speeches, statements, press releases, social media post and articles concerning the area assigned.
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Provide early warnings on potential problems and disputes with particular emphasis on market access issues.
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Organise/Contribute to communication/outreach activities related to the EU-Pacific EPA, such as business fora, workshops, conferences in the host country as well as in the Pacific region.
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Prepare reports and statistics on trade and economic trends between the EU and Pacific EPA countries and acceding countries, including the following areas: goods, services, investment, public procurement, intellectual property (Geographical Indications), competition policy, etc.
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Collect and analyse information on trade related legislation in Fiji and the wider Pacific region.
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Follow market access, Technical Barriers to Trade and investment issues affecting the EU.
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Maintain contacts and relations with stakeholders and public authorities.
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Prepare and participate (where appropriate) in events and visits.
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Promote trade instruments such as export helpdesk and cooperation projects related to trade, including technical assistance.
REPRESENTATION, NEGOTIATION and PARTICIPATION
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Provide the necessary working relations with the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Secretariat, as well as with the relevant national authorities (Ministry of Trade, Customs, Statistical and Standards Office, etc.), and private sector representatives and professional organisations in the Pacific region and in Europe.
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Develop close working contacts with EU Member States' representatives (i.e. economic and trade counsellors) and EU business community and representatives in Fiji and the 3 Pacific EPA States, and in the acceding States.
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Liaise with other regional and international organisations dealing with trade issues and/or regional integration.
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Participate in donor cooperation efforts as regards trade and regional integration analysis and policies.
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State, explain and defend EU trade policies and the EU position in all trade matters to domestic stakeholders, particularly local and regional authorities, press, civil society, business and academics.
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Contribute to the preparation and participate in meetings relating to the implementation of the Pacific EPA.
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Advice and support Head of Delegation, Political Section and Cooperation Section on trade issues, in particular as for the regular political dialogue and relevant policy dialogues.
The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from FJD 7,966 monthly. There is a competitive benefits package, subject to certain conditions, including personal leave days and public holidays, health insurance and a retirement savings plan.
The expected start date will be as soon as possible.
Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)
- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in economics, business, international relations, political science and related disciplines or equivalent;
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in private or public sector;
- Working knowledge (C1) of English and (B1) of French;
- Right to residence and work in Fiji;
- Medically fit to perform the required duties;
- A clean police record and ability to produce a clearance report when requested.
Assets / selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)
- Higher university degree (Master's or above) in a relevant field such as economics, business, international relations, political science and related disciplines or equivalent;
- Experience working in the Pacific region or other Small Island Developing States (SIDS);
- Knowledge of Statistics and general Mathematics, Statistical methods, Design and Standardisation
- Experience with trade issues and EU Trade Instruments, Trade Relations, Trade Treaties (bilateral and multilateral, EPAs)
- Knowledge of diplomatic norms and protocol
- Competent in Analysing and Problem Solving, Prioritising and Organising, Resilience, Working with Others
- Knowledge of AI tools and technologies.
How to apply
The applicant must apply by sending:
- a motivation letter, signed
- a detailed Europass Curriculum Vitæ (to include, at the minimum, exact job titles, employer names and detailed task descriptions) using one of the Europass templates available at:
All documents to the following email address:
And mention in the email subject:
"523960 – Policy Officer - Economic and Trade Affairs + NAME OF APPLICANT"
no later than 4pm Fiji time on Monday 31/08/2026.
Caution: The applicant must verify that he/she fulfils all the conditions. The absence of one of these conditions or documents is a reason for the rejection of the application.
The process
After the deadline for applications, the eligible applications will be admitted to the Selection by the Committee set up for this purpose.
Depending on the number of applications received, successive phases of Selection may include shortlisting of candidates based on assessment of the information provided in the motivation letter and CV, practical testing, and interviews. At least, the five (5) best candidates will be invited to the final interview.
Only candidates admitted to each successive selection phase will be contacted individually. The Delegation will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure. During the selection process, please do not contact the members of the Selection Committee, but address your questions and comments to the Delegation's Administration.
The successful candidate will be subject to a medical check and background check.
Candidates who wish to lodge a complaint regarding the recruitment process may submit a written communication to the functional mailbox to which they sent the initial application.
Upon receipt, the Delegation will review the matter and, where appropriate, consult Headquarters before providing a response.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
The European Union is committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its employees and applicants for employment. As an employer, the EU is committed to promoting gender equality, preventing discrimination on any grounds and ensuring a zero tolerance approach to any form of harassment. It actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. We aim at a service which is truly representative of society, where each staff member feels respected, is able to give their best and can develop their full potential.
If pre-selected, candidates with disabilities are invited to contact the Delegation: eeasjobs-197@eeas.europa.eu in order to accommodate any special needs and provide assistance to ensure equality of opportunities with other candidates.
If a candidate with a disability is selected and recruited, the EEAS is committed to appropriate measures in order to accommodate his or her special needs to the working place or working conditions in accordance with Art 4 of the Decision ADMIN(2025)13 of the Director-General for Resource Management of the European External Action Service on providing reasonable accommodation for local staff with disabilities working in Union Delegations.
DATA PROTECTION NOTICE: