The European Union Delegation to Kazakhstan is looking for: PROJECT OFFICER LOCAL AGENT GROUP I Ref: 147242 – Cooperation Section
We offer
The post of Project Officer (Local Agent, Group I) in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section under a fixed term contract for 2 years (with possibility of renewal under certain conditions) in a team of 12 people. Under the supervision of the Head of Cooperation, the selected candidate shall contribute to the Delegation's analysis and planning of EU cooperation activities for Kazakhstan and the Central Asia region. The Project Officer shall contribute to the identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and visibility for activities under the responsibility of the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). The Project Officer will oversee the contractual implementation of EU funded projects and programmes in the fields of education, health, culture and youth, including projects implemented by Civil Society Organisations, international organisations and private companies. Linked to this, he/she will also address thematic and crosscutting issues such as human rights, youth, gender and the environment and assist in ensuring donor coordination and cooperation with EU Member States and other stakeholders.
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 Head of Cooperation Section, providing support, expertise and assistance.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks and duties:
+ POLICY ANALYSIS
- Sector analysis, strategy formulation, programming and dialogue
- Analyse the human rights situation in KZ, TKM and CA and inform HoC accordingly
- Contribute, upon request, to the development of strategies and programming of sector/ projects/actions: including Multiannual Indicative Programmes (MIP) and sector/country strategies
- Support policy dialogues with relevant ministries, agencies, institutes, cooperation partners and relevant stakeholders in close collaboration with other sections of the Delegation, Directorates General in HQ and other Delegations.
- Contribute to reports and briefings in all policy areas of responsibility defined under Overall purpose.
+ GENERAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Aid programmes management and coordination
- Project/ actions / trust fund identification and formulation
- Daily management of the contracts or agreements
- Close coordination with colleagues from the financial section
- Results-focused monitoring
- Participate, as requested, in Donor coordination in line with relevant conventions and commitments;
- Contribute to the effective operational coordination with EU MS in line with the KZ and the regional portfolio.
- Participate, as requested, in cooperation partner group meetings and act as the EU Delegation’s focal point that is providing overall coordination between donors or HQ on specific topics.
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Approval of interim and final narrative reports and invoices, and performance of the necessary administrative processes.
+ SPECIFIC PROJECT/PROCESS MANAGEMENT
- Preparation and follow up of calls for tender
- Identification of projects / actions / in collaboration with beneficiary or partner institutions / organisations/ agencies in KZ and/or the EU
- Formulation of projects / actions in collaboration with the beneficiary or partner institutions/organisations/agencies in KZ and/or the EU: drafting of project / action documents; presentation at Quality Support Reviews; recruitment, contracting and management of consultancies
- Drafting, negotiating and preparing for signature legal agreements with implementing partners.
- Preparation and follow-up of calls for tender, calls for proposal, contribution agreements
- Ensure up-to-date relevant project data input into relevant EC information and management systems (e.g. OPSYS data base) and EAMR.
- Participate in meetings related to project management, technical workshops and dissemination conferences - provide translation when appropriate; prepare speeches and accompany senior level EU representatives to projects/ actions.
+ OPERATIONAL and ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT and RESOURCES
- Administrative support in the distribution / dissemination of publications
- Ensure proper communication / visibility of projects / actions progress to stakeholders: EU or regional institutions, EU member states, other cooperation partners, relevant other actions, civil society organisations, academia, etc.
- Evaluation of projects / actions: drafting terms of reference for evaluators under the framework contract; manage the publication of these terms of reference; support in the contracting and management of the consultants; report on debriefing meetings.
- Organise, make presentations and answer questions during information sessions or following written requests for clarifications.
+ EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION (general)
- Communication relating to programme and projects
- Production and dissemination of the results of projects at workshops, seminars, conferences and other public events, or through social media and website.
- Extracting and disseminating best practices and facilitate exchanges of experience.
- Contribute to the production of publications and other visibility materials.
- Preparation of joint visibility efforts; prepared, implemented, contracted or coordinated by the EU Delegation;
The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from 1,512,356 KZT. 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 1 November 2026.
Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)
- Medically fit to perform the required duties;
- Permanent entitlement for employment under local law;
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Has excellent spoken and written skills in English, Russian and Kazakh – English is the working language of the Delegation;
- Proven working experience of at least 3 years in international project management;
- University degree (BA level) in law, economics, political science, sociology or international development or similar;
Assets/selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)
- Working experience in a diplomatic mission or international organization in Kazakhstan;
- Master’s degree in law, finance, economics, political science or international development or similar;
- Working experience in/with EU projects and with EU systems such as ARES, CRIS, OPSYS.
How to apply
The applicant must apply by sending
- a cover/motivation letter, signed
- a Curriculum Vitae, using one of the Europass templates available at: https://europass.europa.eu/en
- Please state in the subject of your email: Project Officer – your name
- Send your complete application to: eeasjobs-155@eeas.europa.eu no later than 31/07/2026, at 23:59 (Astana time).
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 applications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel set up for this purpose. The Selection Panel will prepare a short-list of candidates who are considered the most suitable for the post based on a preliminary assessment of the information provided in the cover letter and resume. The short-listed candidates will be invited to an assessment phase, which will include an interview and practical test. During this phase, the Selection Panel will assess the suitability of the candidates for the post. Those candidates who have not been short-listed will not be contacted individually; however, 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 Panel, but address your questions and comments to the Delegation’s Administration via Delegation-Kazakhstan-Vacancies@eeas.europa.eu.
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 via Delegation-Kazakhstan-Vacancies@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: