Project Officer – Regional Cooperation, Economics and Trade European Union Delegation to COMESA & Zambia

The European Union Delegation to Zambia & COMESA is looking for a:

Project Officer

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 Republic of Zambia and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), in Lusaka/Zambia 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 Zambian government and the COMESA Secretariat in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

The EU Delegation to the Republic of Zambia and COMESA:

• Ensures the representation of the European Union to the Republic of Zambia and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA);
• Ensures the follow-up of bilateral relations in the areas of political, economic, trade and external assistance cooperation (financial and technical);
• Ensures the follow-up of EU policies in all sectors;
• Promotes and defends the values and interests of the EU;
• Coordinates the work of the Member States’ Embassies, particularly in the fields of EU competences, notably trade and external assistance;
• Ensures the tasks of the EU Presidency and carries out CFSP demarches as appropriate;
• Reports back to Headquarters on all matters of interest for EU policies;
• Carries out press and public diplomacy activities in pursuit of the above;
• Ensures the multi-annual programming of aid and the management of programmes and devolved projects within the framework of the external aid instruments of the EU Budget and the European Development Fund in line with the Communication “Increasing the impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change”.

We offer

The post of Project Officer – Regional Cooperation, Economics and Trade (Local Agent Group 1is in the Cooperation Section, which consists of 25 people. The OPS1 Team – European Green Deal, Rural Development and Trade, consists of 7 to 8 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 Head/Team Leader of the OPS1 Team – European Green Deal, Rural Development and Trade, providing support, expertise and assistance in Regional Cooperation, Economics and Trade.

Following main tasks and duties are currently required:

Overall purpose:

To manage, under the supervision of the Team Leader / Head of Sector OPS1 – European Green Deal, Rural Development and Trade Sector, the implementation of EU funded programmes/projects in the domains “Regional Cooperation, Economics and Trade”. The jobholder programme/project management task will focus on, but will not be limited to, the European Union’s (EU) regional cooperation and partnership with COMESA and its member states.

Function and duties:

1)    Delegation’s project cycle management (Function type: Process/Programme/Project Management)

Contribute to the project cycle management (PCM) of EU funded regional and bilateral programmes and projects.
Programme, design/appraisal (identification and formulation) of EU funded regional programmes/projects, in close cooperation with RECs (notably COMESA), DG INTPA, EU Delegations in the ESA-IO region and other relevant entities the beneficiary regional organisation (COMESA), and in line with the Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) regional Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP).
Manage all aspects of the procurement processes (e.g. drafting Terms of Reference for tender and/or calls for proposals (CfP), launching tenders/CfP, drafting contracts, etc.).
Manage implementation of EU funded regional and bilateral programmes/projects. This includes the attendance at management and steering committee meetings and the day-to-day supervision of EU’s implementing partners.
Monitor project implementation by implementing partners, in particular ensure correct application of administrative, contractual and financial procedures, particularly in terms of procurement rules.
Contribute to the evaluation of EU funded programmes/projects, e.g. through Result Oriented Monitoring (ROM), as well as through preparation, contracting and supervision mid-term and final evaluation exercises.
Ensure the quality of the data encoded in EU’s internal Management Information Systems (i.e. CRIS/OPSYS) and the management of the PCM with and through these IT platforms and their potential successors.
Maintain contacts with relevant cooperating partners that are active in regional cooperation, economics and trade, within the COMESA region.
Communicate and maintain regular contacts with HQ in Brussels (i.e. DG INTPA) and other EU Delegations in the COMESA region.

2) Sector analysis, strategy formulation and programming (Function type: Policy Analysis)

Promote the alignment of regional policies with EU’s political priorities, notably 1) The European Green Deal, 2) An economy that works for the people and 3) Sustainable Trade and report on it.
Participate in policy dialogue with the Regional Economic Communities (REC), in particular COMESA, as well as with regional/international organisations and other cooperating partners.
Monitor progress of the implementation of regional policies and consistency and convergence with the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and Indian Ocean (IO) regional policies and programmes.
Monitor and report regularly and timely on issues related to regional integration, private sector development and trade.

3) Preparation of sectoral information for headquarters (Function type: Internal Communication)

Analyse, study and report on dossiers and files, related to the Regional Cooperation, Economics and Trade Sector.
Contribute to regular/internal (annual) reporting to the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnership (DG INTPA) and the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Provide timely information and follow-up on ad-hoc requests of the Team Leader / Head of Sector.

4) Representation, negotiation, participation (Function type: Representation, negotiation, participation)

Prepare hierarchy for (e.g. through briefings) and accompany them to programme/project related meetings and policy dialogues. Represent the EU in exceptional cases at such meetings, subject to the level of interlocutors.
Maintain contacts with partners of relevant national and regional institutions, EU member state representatives, cooperating partners, Non-State Actors and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) as well as other EU Delegations in the COMESA region.
Maintain communication channels and dialogues with private sector entities, which are invested or intend to invest in the region.
Prepare and facilitate missions from Headquarters (when/as necessary).

5) Programme and project communication (Function type: External communication)

Draft conclusions and recommendations of workshops, seminars and conferences, in consultation with the Team Leader / Head of Sector and the Head of Cooperation.
Contribute to the preparation of EU Delegation’s communication and visibility.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from ZMW 40,561.00.  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 01/04/2023.

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

• A University Master’s Degree in Economics, Environmental Economics, Trade, Business Administration, Development Studies or other fields relevant to the post and tasks to be performed.
• Minimum 7 years of proven professional experience in programme/project management, in the areas of Regional Cooperation, Economics and/or Trade.
• Out of these 7 years, at least 3 years of experience in the private sector, related to programmes/projects at national and regional level.
• Right to residence and civil rights and permits for employment under local law in Zambia.
• Good standing as citizen/resident
• Medical fitness to carry out the tasks assigned.

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

• Proven experience in regional co-operation in the COMESA or SADC region would be an asset.
• Experience in Project Cycle Management and contractual procedures of EU external action and cooperation would be an asset
• Interest in EU policies, the political priorities of the European Commission and in EU’s international partnerships are considered as assets.
• Familiarity with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and a keen interest and knowledge in climate action and in circular economy, in particular, will be an considered an asset
• Very good computer skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Zoom, Webex, MS Teams) are considered an asset.
• Very good working knowledge and oral/written communications skills in English (C2 or C1 level)
• Knowledge of French is not essential, but is considered an asset.

Additional abilities, qualities and skills

The successful candidate should bring along:

• A high sense of initiative and responsibility, commitment and integrity.
• The interest and ability to work in a diverse multi-national and multi-cultural team.
• The ability to work and deliver under pressure and to respond quickly to new demands.

Working environment and conditions:

We offer a competitive position in an international environment. With benefits, such as housing allowance,additional pension scheme and medical insurance, are offered to employees and their families under certain conditions.

Place of employment: Lusaka, Zambia

Group: I

Starting basic salary (gross): ZMW 40,561.00

(The 35-step salary band ranges between ZMW 40,561.00 to ZMW 90,216.00)

Total Working hours per week: 37.5

How to apply

The application must consist of the following:

• Cover letter (max. 2 pages, Font: Times New Roman 12);
• Europass format CV (max. 2 pages);
• Scanned copies of relevant certificates, which prove the minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered);
• At least two written references/recommendations of former employers for jobs covered for a minimum of 2 years;