PROJECT OFFICER - REGIONAL COOPERATION (OPS2) – DEMOCRACY, GOVERNANCE AND MIGRATION - Deadline 30 April 2026

Job title: Project Officer - Regional Cooperation (OPS2) –

Democracy, Governance and Migration

 (m/f/x)

LOCAL AGENT GROUP I
Ref: Post No. e-DEL HRM No 60067 and SYSPER 2 No 426702

Date: 23/04/2026

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 to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, based in Abuja 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 Nigerian government in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

We offer

The post of Project Officer – International Aid/Cooperation Officer (Local Agent Group 1) in the Delegation’s Democracy, Governance and Migration section (OPS2) under a fixed-term employment contract of 2 years, with a possibility of renewal under reserve of budgetary availabilities and operational considerations. The team consists of 7 people 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 of the Democracy, Governance and Migration section, providing support, expertise and assistance to the team for identifying, implementing and managing projects and programmes of the European Development Funds, as well as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, Development Cooperation Instrument, European Union Trust Fund programme and as of 2021 of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument.

Under the supervision of the Head of Section/Team Leader, the functions and duties of the International Aid/Cooperation Officer the Following main tasks and duties are currently required:

I. Policy/Sector Analysis:

• Analyse developments in civil society sector and contribute to the preparation of sector reports for the Delegation and EU HQ.

• Support policy dialogue with relevant ministries, agencies, development partners and other relevant stakeholders in the civil society sector.

• Act as a contact point for youth in the Delegation, following policy developments and leading on the youth engagement with EU's programmes and efforts. 

II. Management of EU Projects:

• Liaise with EU HQ for the dissemination and implementation in Nigeria of global EU initiatives, especially in support civil society, youth and other relevant topics. 

• Contribute to programming and reviews of the country programme including identification, formulation and monitoring of programmes/projects in co-ordination with relevant Nigerian authorities, ensuring that EU regulations and procedures are followed.

• Review the EU Civil Society Roadmap for Nigeria.

• Manage the implementation of the EU Delegation's civil society grants and its flagship Civil Society programme with particular focus on capacity strengthening, network development, and stakeholder engagement towards achieving Nigeria's development goals.

• Contribute to reporting requirements: Annual Management Plan (AMP); External Assistance Management Report (EAMR); Joint Annual Report (JAR); project, sector and ad-hoc reports. 

• Contribute to the visibility of EU development cooperation activities.

• Support other cooperation sections in their work with civil society and youth. 

• In the performance of the above-mentioned duties, the International Aid/Cooperation Officer will work closely together with other staff in the Section and within the EU Delegation, particularly with the Finance and Contracts Section.

III. Monitoring and Reporting:

• Reporting to the Head of Section/Team Leader and the Head of Cooperation, the International Aid/Cooperation Officer is expected to contribute and provide technical expertise to the EU Delegation in all phases of the project management cycle, in particular to ensure proper project appraisal and subsequently monitoring of project implementation, and sector reviews. The International Aid/Cooperation Officer will be assigned specific projects/programmes with primary focus on civil society. 

IV. Communication and Networking:

• The position requires excellent analytical, report writing, networking and communication skills. Furthermore, the ability to work under pressure in a team or individually on specific tasks and to adapt to a multi-cultural environment is required. Candidates are also expected to be able to communicate complex information in a comprehensible manner, be flexible towards new demands and deliver their outputs in a structured way. The International Aid/Cooperation Officer will contribute to information exchange, coordination and policy dialogue with EU Member States, national and international development partners, regional, national and local government actors, civil society and the private sector. 

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment 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 as soon as possible in 2026.

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 the Nigerian labour law;

• Excellent knowledge of  English, fluency in spoken and written (C2 Level);

• A University degree in relevant fields of study such as in Political Science, International Law, Human Rights, Development Studies, Law or other relevant social sciences qualification.

• Professional experience of at least 5 years continuous relevant experience in grants management and/or civil society support programmes management 

• Knowledge of project monitoring methods and techniques, including logical framework

• Full computer literacy, covering all relevant MS Office applications

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

1.     Knowledge of French language and other Nigerian languages, including Pidgin at working level;

2.     A Master’s degree in the related fields;

3.     Additional qualifications in civil society engagement and project management

4.     Familiarity with the 11th EDF and other EU development cooperation instruments, EU project management cycle and procurement/financial procedures;

5.     Excellent negotiating, networking and coordination skills;

6.     Project cycle management experience in Nigeria with deep understanding and experience in project monitoring methods and techniques, including logical framework;

How to apply

The applicant must apply by sending

• a cover letter, signed 

• a Curriculum Vitæ (to include, at the minimum, exact job titles, employers names and detailed tasks descriptions) using one of the Europass templates available at:

   

https://europass.europa.eu/en

all documents to the following email address:

eeasjobs-151@eeas.europa.eu

And indicate in the email subject:

“ Name of the candidate + Post No. 426702 – Project Officer – Democracy, Governance and Migration (OPS2) “

no later than 23:00 Abuja time on 30/04/2026

Caution:   The applicant must verify that he/she fulfils all the conditions. For easy verification, the applicant must mark all the squares r relating to each document or application condition. 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 the assessment of the information provided in the cover letter, CV, practical/written testing and interviews. At least 3 best candidates will be invited to the final stage of the selection.

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.

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 using the same e-mail address to which the applications shall be sent 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:

https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eeas-privacy-statement-data-protection-notice-purpose-processing-personal-data-related-recruitment_en