Secretary (Local Agent Group III) in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section

The European Union Delegation to the Lao PDR is looking for:

Secretary (Local Agent Group III) in the Delegation’s Cooperation 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 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 EU Delegation to the Lao PDR aims to strengthen EU-Lao PDR relations and is a major development partner for Lao PDR. 

We offer

We offer a post of Secretary within the Cooperation section. Under this post, the recruited person will be attributed functions depending on the needs of the Delegation. Upon recruitment, the successful candidate will occupy a specific job function as Secretary. She/he will provide administrative, secretarial and logistic support to the Head of Cooperation and Programme Managers to support the functioning of the cooperation section and a smooth implementation of EU – Lao PDR cooperation. This job function may be changed in accordance with the needs of the Delegation.

Following main tasks and duties are currently required:

• Overall organizational and administrative assistance in the  Cooperation section;
• Agenda management of the section;
• Drafting of correspondence and meeting minutes including assistance with translations;
• Formatting, editing, and synthesizing of reports and documents;
• Maintenance of section files; classification, filing, and registering of correspondence and documents;
• Logistical support to the organization of meetings/events/missions;
• Relations with external stakeholders regarding events and public affairs;
• Maintenance of Lao counterparts mailing lists and update contact details;
• Preparation of incoming and outgoing missions;
• Making travel arrangements for members of the section’s official travels;
• Ad hoc tasks relating to the activities of the Section and the Delegation.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from EUR 714 but can be higher in accordance with relevant professional experience. 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 1st October 2024. 

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

• Minimum of completed secondary level education;
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in relevant field is desirable;
• Native level command of Lao language (C2 level) and good knowledge of English (B2 oral and written level);

• Excellent knowledge of computer applications: Excel, MS Office software, Word, PowerPoint, scheduling and communication;
• Right to residence and work in Lao PDR.

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

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant field (Business Administration, English language, International Relations, etc..);

• Previous experience working in an Embassy or international organisation as secretary/ administrative staff;
• Ability to work as a team member with good inter-personal skills  and to work in a multicultural environment;
• Excellent communications and presentation skills;
• C1 level in English: oral and written expression.

How to apply

Please submit your application, consisting of a cover letter expressing your motivation, Europass format CV https://europass.europa.eu/en and a declaration on honour regarding the civil rights and permits for employment under local law in Laos and medical fitness (no template, free format), via the Functional Mailbox eeasjobs-134@eeas.europa.eu (Reference/subject: NAME – Application for LA-3 post Secretary) no later than 16:00 on 9 September 2024. Only complete applications received on time via the Functional Mailbox  eeasjobs-134@eeas.europa.eu will be considered.

The successful candidate will be subject to a medical check and background 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 assessment of the information provided in the cover letter and CV; practical testing and interviews. The 3 best candidates will be invited to the final phase.

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 eeasjobs-134@eeas.europa.eu.