The European Union Delegation to Kazakhstan is looking for: Trade Affairs Officer in the Trade Section

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 Kazakhstan works in close coordination with the Embassies and Consulates of the 27 EU Member States (21 Embassies are present in Astana). We are a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and represent the European Union in dealings with the Government of Kazakhstan in areas that are part of the EU’s remit. In particular, the Delegation ensures the follow-up of bilateral relations in the areas of political, economic, trade and external partnership/cooperation (financial and technical), and bilateral sectorial cooperation; promotes and defends the values and interests of the EU, including human rights; and carries out press and public diplomacy activities in pursuit of the above. The Delegation facilitates the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and other bilateral memoranda of understanding.

We offer

The post of Trade Affairs Officer (Local Agent, Group I) in the Delegation’s Trade Section. The team consists of 2 people and there are occasional atypical working hours. The team works closely with the Head of Delegation.

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 Trade Section, providing support, expertise and assistance in information and communication activities.

Following main tasks and duties are currently required: 

       Horizontal coordination

-      Assist the Head of Section in programming and organizing all Delegation’s activities relating to trade and investment

-      Follow the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and help preparing its relevant Sub-Committees

-      Prepare briefings, speeches and background documentation for missions of DG TRADE officials and other officials from HQ visiting Kazakhstan, as required. Help with the logistics of such missions.

-      Contribute to the organization of negotiations pertaining to trade and investment

-      Contribute to the implementation of the EU market access strategy, in coordination with European exporters and investors, EU chambers of commerce and the EU trade counsellors

-      Contribute to the preparation, organization and follow-up of Business Platforms with the Kazakh Prime Minister

-      Assist in  the activities related to the prevention of the circumvention of EU sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus via the territory of Kazakhstan

-      Contribute to the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials, Batteries and Renewable Hydrogen Value Chains

-      Follow sanitary, phytosanitary and agriculture-related developments in Kazakhstan relevant to EU-Kazakhstan trade

-      Cooperate with other Delegation's sections dealing with economic issues and projects related to trade, investment, private sector, connectivity and energy. Contribute to the design and implementation of such projects.

       Reporting

-      Prepare regular reports on trade & investment in Kazakhstan and flash reports in case of developments that need to be quickly flagged to the Headquarters

-      Prepare sectoral reports/notes on particular issues that merit in-depth analysis

-      Follow trade and investment news in the Kazakh media, as well as reports prepared by other institutions

-      Contribute to EU HQ reports on the economic impact of the Russian aggression on Ukraine

-      Follow regional economic integration initiatives, especially developments related to the Eurasian Economic Union

-      Provide early warnings on potential problems and disputes with particular emphasis on market access issues and circumvention of EU sanctions

-      Analyze and report on developments in other countries of the region that can have an impact on EU trade and investment relations with Kazakhstan

-      Compile statistical data on EU-Kazakhstan trade and investment.

        Events, Meetings and Conferences

Function type: Operational Assistance

-      Prepare regular Member States Commercial Counsellors meetings and ensure follow-up

-      Assist in setting up conferences, seminars & workshops

-      Organize and attend meetings and events, record minutes

-      Assist internal meetings including taking of minutes in English

-      Prepare visual aids for presentations.

       Communications & Networking

-      Coordinate communication activities of the section with the press unit in the delegation, prepare inputs for communication activities, reports, publications and brochures as well as inputs to EC delegation website for the Trade Section

-      Maintain regular contact with local authorities as well as other embassies and business community. Develop a wide network of local contacts and maintain a database of the section contacts.

-      Maintain regular contact with the operational section responsible for managing trade and private sector development projects, and files related to connectivity and energy.

        Administrative

-      Registration, distribution of incoming and outgoing documents and correspondence, and follow up

-      Translation of documents (English into Russian or vice versa)

-      Updating of the contacts directory and the mailing list

-      Assuring travel arrangements and hotel reservations, transports and car movements

o   Mission authorization requests

o   Travel arrangements (tickets, hotel reservations)

o   Mission expense claims

-       Carry out other administrative and secretarial tasks, if needed.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from KZT 1,223,055.  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 July 2023. 

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

-      Medically fit to perform the required duties;

-      Enjoys civil rights and permits for employment under local law;

-      Minimum of a University Degree;

-      Minimum of 5 years of experience in related areas (international trade, economics, international relations, public policy, public administration);

-      Fluency in English and Russian C1 (speaking and writing);

-      Excellent computer skills and knowledge of appropriate software (Microsoft Office).

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

-      University Degree in the area of business, economics, law or international trade;

-      Professional experience from a diplomatic mission or international organization;

-      Good knowledge of trade related EU policies;

-      Good knowledge of Kazakhstan’s trade policy and procedures, as well as the country’s business environment;

-      Excellent drafting skills;

-      Kazakh – ability to read B1

-      Capacity to communicate clearly, present complex matters in a simple manner;

-      Ability to identify and analyse key points in verbal and numerical information;

-      Organisational skills

How to apply

Please submit your application, consisting of a cover letter and a detailed CV – Europass format ONLY (Europass format https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv) and a declaration of honour (free format) regarding the work rights and medical fitness via Delegation-Kazakhstan-Vacancies@eeas.europa.eu (Reference: Trade Affairs Officer post) no later than 11/05/2023, at 17:00hrs (Astana time). Only complete applications received on time via email will be considered.

The successful candidate will be subject to a medical check.

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 the assessment of the information provided in the cover letter and CV, practical testing (written) and interviews. At least 3 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 via Delegation-Kazakhstan-Vacancies@eeas.europa.eu.