Vacancy Notice - Policy Officer - 247704 / 57913

We are

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political Union between 27 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organizations. The EU is represented globally 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 Republic of South Africa 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 South African government and society in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

We offer

The post of Policy Officer (Local Agent Group I) in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section. The team consists of 21 people, divided in two teams, 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 as well as the Head of Cooperation Section, providing support, expertise and assistance in civil society and youth in particular.

The successful candidate will contribute to the definition, implementation, follow-up and communication of EU Delegation-managed and/or headquarters-managed projects/programmes and coordination internally and among Team Europe under the supervision and responsibility of the relevant Team Leader and Head of Section. The successful candidate will also play a role in coordination and knowledge management both within the Operations section as well as within Team Europe. 

The successful candidate will be involved in various cooperation areas and will be expected to intervene in all phases of the project cycle including appraisal, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects. Indicative thematic focus will include civil society and youth.

The successful candidate is expected to provide technical expertise to the Delegation with transversal issues such as partnerships, knowledge management and general communication with the aim to ensure visibility of cooperation activities. They will assist the section management in coordination tasks internally as well as with Team Europe members and/or other development partners. 

Following main tasks and duties are currently required: 

• Review sector trends, sector institutional frameworks, government sector programmes, current support activities undertaken by the international community and identify support gaps and possible roles for the EU.
• Initiate and participate in the identification and all subsequent stages of project formulation and preparation of new activities to be supported in the sub-sectors.
• Monitor the implementation of EU-funded programmes inter alia by reviewing and approving contracts and reports, and by carrying out field visits as appropriate.
• Coordinate and follow-up on Results Oriented Monitoring, manage reviews and evaluations and collaborate in audits and their follow-up.
• Report on activities in the sectors and on programme implementation.
• Ensure that implementing agencies follow EU regulations and procedures for the implementation of the projects.
• Review and approve all technical aspects of supporting documentation before payment.
• Promote and ensure better co-ordination between development partners and other stakeholders including Civil Society Organisations.
• As operational initiator in the Commission's electronic database encode entries accurately and comprehensively and ensure full documentation of all transactions in the system.
• Contribute to the inclusiveness dimension in the EU cooperation with South Africa (such as child rights, gender equality, rights of persons with disabilities, environmental sustainability, climate change)
• Support knowledge management activities within the Cooperation Section
• Support the section management on external coordination, including of the Team Europe
• Provide support towards assuring visibility and communication of EU-SA and Team Europe’s cooperation and monitor compliance.
• Provide support to other members of the Cooperation section in identifying and implementing suitable communication and visibility activities
• In the performance of the above-mentioned duties, the Policy Officer will work closely with the other colleagues in the Section as well as other sections in the Delegation.
• The Policy Officer may be required, according to the evolution of the portfolio of projects, to perform the functions and tasks described above for other sectors.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from ZAR 75,049.00.  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 April 2026. 

Working conditions

• 37.5 working hours per week
• Occasional atypical hours (evening, weekend)
• Occasional travel for work missions, which may be located in remote areas 

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

• Minimum of Bachelor’s University Degree in Social Sciences, Political sciences, Economics, Public administration, Communications or equivalent;
• Experience in working with international organisations or embassies in the domain of the post
• Minimum 6 years of professional experience in project management or similar after having obtained the required diploma
• Working knowledge of English
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing
• Right to residence and permit for employment under local law. A copy of the work permit is to be included with the application.
• Medically fit to perform the required duties

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

• Understanding of what the European Union stands for and desire to advance the strategic partnership between South Africa and the European Union.
• Good understanding of the socio-economic challenges and the political environment in South Africa.
• Good knowledge of project cycle management in development cooperation.
• Knowledge/experience of international cooperation policy, particularly related to the EU.
• Good knowledge of communication strategies and tools and social media, and eagerness to lead in these areas of activities.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and perform as a team worker.
• Team player
• Master’s degree in relevant domain is an asset

How to apply

Please submit your application, consisting of a cover letter and Europass format CV to the following email address: eeasjobs-048@eeas.europa.eu (Quoting Reference No: 247704/57913 – Policy Officer); no later than 30 January 2026, 18:00 hours local time. Only complete applications received on time, via the abovementioned email address, will be considered.

The Europass CV Template can be found at the following link: https://europa.eu/europass/en

Please note if the correct CV template is not utilized, your application will not be considered.

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

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, practical testing and interviews. At least the two 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.

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