NOW CLOSED: Project Officer

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 organisations. 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 Delegation of the EU for the Pacific 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 European Union in dealings with the governments in the Pacific region in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

We offer

The post of Project Officer (Local Agent Group 1) in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section. The team consists of 28 people, and the Delegation's size is +/- 60 staff (gender balanced team) and there are occasional atypical working hours.

Under this post, the recruited person will be attributed functions depending on the needs of the Delegation, and on the changes of these needs. The successful candidate will serve under the supervision and responsibility of the Team Leader, to manage the implementation of projects and programmes of development assistance and cooperation in the sector or human and social development.

Following main tasks and duties are currently required:

PROGRAM / PROCESS / PROJECT MANAGEMENT:

• Effectively manage projects in the domain of human and social development (notably civil society and youth) included in the Delegation's portfolio.
• Act as Operational Initiating Agent for transactions related to the implementation of projects: assess and verify contracts and invoices. Review and approve reports, certify requests for payments. Update and maintain relevant project data in OPSYS, CRIS, PROSPECT and other relevant tools.
• Monitor the implementation of actions against set measurable objectives and targets. Review and assess Result Oriented Monitoring (ROM) reports and implement and follow up relevant recommendations. Update and maintain implementation reports in CRIS.
• Assist with all aspects of the procurement process (drafting Terms of Reference, launching tenders, etc.) as needed. Monitor ongoing projects, attend management and monitoring meetings, elaborate progress reports on projects and propose action if and when needed. Contribute to the evaluation of projects.
• Maintain contacts with other donors active in in the Pacific Island Countries. Maintain contacts with the local operators in the field, including the national authorities and institutions, with representatives of other national or international donors, with civil society organisations and local non-official actors as needed.
• Contribute to the organisation of consultations with civil society and youth organisations.

POLICY ANALYSIS:

• Develop and maintain a consistent view of bilateral relations with the countries in which the Delegation is implementing or preparing programmes.
• Contribute to the policy dialogue at country level in the fields covered by the section. Provide relevant input and feedback to the Team Leader.

REPRESENTATION, NEGOTIATION and PARTICIPATION:

• Assist the Head of Cooperation and Team Leader in developing close contacts with local stakeholders, including in Governments and Administrations. Provide background and feedback for negotiations, including with local private sector representatives.

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION (general):

• Contribute to the achievements of the Delegation's communication and visibility strategy objectives, including by organising visibility events.
• Contribute to the organisation of visibility events, namely with civil society and youth organisations.
• Contribute to policy and implementation information to the communication material published by the Delegation (including on the Delegation Website and Facebook page).
• Produce and disseminate the results of projects at workshops, seminars, conferences and other public events.
• Extract and disseminate best practices and facilitate exchange of experiences.
• Contribute to the production of EU Delegation reports and publications.
• Any other ad-hoc tasks assigned by the Team Leader.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from                           FJD 4,881.00 per month.  There is a competitive benefits package, subject to certain conditions, including personal leave days and public holidays, health insurances and a retirement savings plan.

The expected start date will be soon. 

Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)

• Minimum of a tertiary qualification (Degree) or equivalent

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience
• Working knowledge  (C2) of English
• Right to residence and work in Fiji
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office suite: in particular Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Medically fit to perform the required duties
• A clean police record and should be able to produce a clearance report when requested

Assets / selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)

• Excellent time management, and interpersonal skills
• Team work fluency, high flexibility, and capacity to work under pressure
• Experience in working in an international organisation
• Knowledge of other European language, in particular French, an advantage

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 assessment of the information provided in the cover letter, CV, interviews and possibly practical testing. At least 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 use the same means of publication as for this job advertisement to inform the remaining candidates once the recruitment procedure has been completed and that a candidate has (or has not) been recruited.

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 on:   Delegation-Fiji-Vacancies@eeas.europa.eu .

The deadline for applications is: Wednesday 27 September 2023 at 5pm (Fiji time).