Job opportunity: Project Officer for Private Sector Development and Investments (Local Agent Group 1), application deadline 31 May 2026

The European Union Delegation to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad is looking for a:

Project Officer for Private Sector Development and Investments

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 Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad was established in Pakistan in 1985 with the objective of fostering closer and stronger ties between the EU and Pakistan, which expanded considerably since. The EU Delegation 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 Pakistani government in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

The EU is a major development cooperation partner of Pakistan, with a portfolio of close to EUR 100 million a year. EU-funded programmes and projects cover a wide range of sectors including rural development and economic growth, climate change and energy, education as well as governance and human rights. In addition, the EU has launched its Global Gateway Strategy. To meet global infrastructure development needs in line with the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, its target is to mobilise between 2021 and 2027 up to EUR 300 billion of sustainable investments in quality infrastructure.

We offer

We are looking for a Project Officer for Private Sector Development and Investments (Local Agent Group 1) in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section. Under a fixed term employment contract of 2 years, with a possibility of renewal under reserve of budgetary availabilities and operational considerations. For internal candidates holding an indefinite term contract alternative contractual arrangement may apply in accordance with institutional policies. The team consists of 9 people and there are occasional a typical 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, in close cooperation with and under the supervision and responsibility of the Head of the Rural Development and Economic Growth section, coordinate and monitor the implementation of ongoing projects in the field of economic growth, private sector development and investments, as well as in the formulation and advancement of new interventions in this field. In addition, we propose an interesting and diverse coordinating role supporting the roll out of the Global Gateway and the implementation of the Team Europe approach and initiatives.

Following main tasks and duties are currently required: 

• To advise on and manage projects and programs of development assistance and of financial and technical cooperation with third countries in the fields of economic growth, private sector development and investments;

• To support and contribute to policy dialogue with relevant public and private sector stakeholders in all areas of concern, with a special focus on infrastructure investments;

• Contribute and prepare inputs to briefings and Global Gateway horizontal issues;

• Maintain good and effective contacts with the local operators in the field, with the national authorities and institutions, with representatives of the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States as well as of European and International Financial Institutions, with representatives of the principal international donors, with NGOs and other local non-official actors;

• Prepare and assist in missions from Headquarters;

• Contribute to communication and visibility of programmes and ad hoc tasks relating to the activities of the Section and the Delegation.

The job will be performed in a multicultural environment, based in Islamabad, with a working time of 37.5 hours per week. The team consists of 9 people and there are occasional atypical working hours.

The annual base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from 7,718,664 PKR. 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 01^st July 2026 or earlier.

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

• A master’s degree in (agricultural) economics, finance, business administration, public administration, international development, rural development, or similar relevant discipline;

• Minimum 8 years professional experience, of which at least 3 years in an international organisation, or internationally funded projects;

• Minimum 3 years professional experience in finance or private sector development (which can be included in the overall 8 years of professional experience);

• Proven proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading and writing English. Ability to draft documents to high standard essential;

• High level of general IT literacy, in particular Microsoft Office (word, outlook, excel);

• Medical fitness to carry out the tasks assigned;

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

• Have a clean criminal record (at the time of the recruitment).

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

• Experience in project management, procurement and contract management;

• Strong knowledge of access to finance, financial instruments, investment facilitation, and public-private partnerships;

• Knowledge of/ experience in international development cooperation;

• Knowledge of/ experience in EU development cooperation, in particular with relations to Global Gateway is considered a strong asset;

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders;

• Strong organisational and multitasking skills with the ability to manage complex tasks under pressure;

• A results-oriented approach as well as a highly developed ability to work as a part of a team.

How to apply

Please send your application and supporting documents exclusively by e-mail to:                         

eeasjobs-232@eeas.europa.eu, clearly mentioning in the subject: Application – post 113126– name of the applicant. The e-mail must include a cover letter, a detailed CV (preferably in Europass format) available at https://europass.europa.eu/en 

and copies of educational transcripts, degrees, experience letters referred to in the application. Applications that are not sent according to the above procedure will not be considered.

The deadline for applications is: 31^st May 2026

The successful candidate will be subject to medical check, background check, and others.  

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 assessment of the information provided in the Cover letter, CV and practical testing and interviews. 

The Selection Committee will prepare a short-list of candidates who are considered to be the most suitable for the post on the basis of a preliminary assessment of the information provided in their application letter and the supporting documents. The short-listed candidates will be invited to an assessment phase, which may include a written test and an interview to assess the suitability of the candidates for the post.

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 Administration. 

The successful candidate will be subject to a medical check, background check etc. whatever is relevant. 

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 and to preventing discrimination on any grounds. 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 eeasjobs-232@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:

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