Vacancy Notice For Policy Officer In The Trade Section (Ref No: 47187)

Vacancy Notice for Policy Officer in the Trade section (Ref No: 47187) 26.04.2024 New opportunity
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The European Union Delegation to the Republic of South Africa, based in Pretoria is looking for a: Policy Officer in the Trade 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 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 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 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 Trade Section. The team consists of 5 (five) people and there are occasional atypical working hours.
Under this post, the recruited person will be attributed functions in line with its job description with the understanding that she / he may be required to perform functions and tasks other than these, according to the evolution of the portfolio, and the specific needs of the Delegation; and as long as these new tasks do not compromise the performance of the core functions as described in the job description.
The successful candidate will serve under the supervision and responsibility of the Head of Trade Section; providing support, expertise and assistance in: strengthening the EU-South Africa trade and investment relations (also in the context of the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement), and the operationalisation in South Africa of Global Gateway in strategic value chains of critical raw materials and green hydrogen with regard to EU businesses' interests and the investment climate/business environment.
Following main tasks and duties are currently required:
The staff member is expected to work in close collaboration with all other members of the Trade section as well as of the other sections of the Delegation and provide technical expertise in the above areas to the Delegation.
More specifically and in all areas covered by the job description, the staff member is expected to:
Sectoral Reporting and Information to Head of Delegation and Headquarters
Monitor and report, regularly and in a timely fashion, to the Head of Delegation and Headquarters on all relevant developments.Contribute to policy dialogues.Support EU Economic Diplomacy initiatives in co-ordination with Member States and private sector.Send regular press/media reviews concerning local coverage of issues of importance to Headquarters.Provide on request reports, briefings, draft speeches, statements, press releases and articles concerning the area assigned.Contribute to EU visibility activities in the aforesaid matters.Information and communication, representation and participation in the host country/region
Engage regularly with the relevant national and provincial authorities (namely but not exclusively: Department of Trade, Industry and Competition; National Treasury; Department of Mineral Resources and Energy; Statistics SA; SARS; SARB; provincial trade and investment authorities; and any other department related to the areas covered by the job objectives, etc.), private sector representatives and professional organisations and other local operators in the field.Develop close working contacts with the local Member state representatives (i.e. trade, economic and climate counsellors) and the EU business community and representatives.State, explain and defend the EU policies and position in all areas covered by the job objectives to domestic audiences, particularly local and regional authorities, press, civil society, business and academics.Prepare and participate in EPA and other trade related processes or joint EPA committee meetings as well as all those related to the implementation of Global Gateway in strategic value chains of Critical Raw Materials and green hydrogen.Coordinate the project coordination group with EU Embassies on critical raw materials value chain.Represent the EU and participate in conferences, meetings and other public events on matters related to the job objectives.Liaise with other regional and international organisations dealing with matters related to the job objectives.Participate in donor cooperation efforts as regards matters covered by the job objectives.Monitoring, Analysis and Implementation of policies covered by the job objectives
Follow all issues regarding the implementation of these policies at national level and where appropriate at regional level.Follow other agreements pertaining to these policies.Monitor the situation and track the evolution of policies affecting the economic and investment outlook of the host country/region. Particular attention will be paid to investment and trade flows, forecasts, investment legislation, fiscal policy, tax system, financial services, property rights, intellectual property rights etc.Monitor South Africa's / region's position in on-going or planned multilateral, regional, or bilateral negotiations (WTO, AfCFTA, G20, OECD, etc.).Monitor South Africa's policies with regard to mining and green hydrogen.Monitor regional integration matters in connection with trade, investments, critical raw materials and green hydrogen.Follow all national and regional trade and investment policy developments and their possible impact on the trade relations with Europe.Follow up on issues related to market access faced by EU exporters and impediments for EU investors.Promote the mainstreaming of trade and investments into the poverty reduction strategies of the host country/region.Prepare analysis and synthesis reports on trade, investment, critical raw material and green hydrogen- related issues.Management and Planning: Section management
Assist the Head of Section in programming and organising activities by the Section and the Delegation in connection with the policies covered by the job objectives.Prepare and assist in mission from Headquarters and particularly provide assistance to EU EPA as well as critical raw materials and green hydrogen processes as required.Contribute to the preparation of annual EU-SA Joint Cooperation Council meetings, of Ministerial and Summit meetings, in the context of the EU-SA Strategic partnership.Contribute to the Delegation's various reports.Contribute to the Delegation's Press and Information activities.Provide expert policy advice and management support into the work of project management section on the elaboration or implementation of trade-related cooperation projects, specifically those related to economic diplomacy activities.Prepare outreach activities in the trade, investment and critical raw materials' areas and organise, as appropriate, visits and events.Liaise with the other Delegation's sections or experts dealing with matters related to the job objectives.Liaise with the EU delegations in the region on issues related to the job objectives.The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from ZAR 69,074.00 per month. 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 1 July 2024.
Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered) Minimum of University Degree in Economics, Law, Political Science, Business Administration or International Relations or equivalent;Minimum of four years of relevant job experience in relation to the described post;Working knowledge of EnglishRight to residence and permit for employment under local law. A copy of the work permit is to be included with the applicationAssets / selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant) In depth knowledge of South African policies and programmes in trade, investment and critical raw materials' policy areas.Good knowledge of South African domestic, regional and continental politics as well as of the European Union and its institutions.Experience in working with EU and SA business organisations and corporatesInitiative, flexibility, pro-active, energetic, capacity for independent work without constant supervision; team-worker. Soft skills are highly important for this position.Deep understanding of the need to work in a collaborative and co-creation manner with other sections in the Delegation.Interpersonal skills
Ability to work as part of a team in a multi-cultural environment, but with a degree of autonomy and interaction with the South African authorities, private sector and research and academic institutions.Intellectual skills
Excellent analytical skills are required for reporting on and assessment of economic and trade/investment trends, as well as on developments concerning strategic value chains in critical raw materials and green hydrogen.Capacity to focus on priorities and to organise work to deliver on timeCapacity to monitor progress of work, organise reviews and supervise project teamsCapacity to organize high level and public eventsCapacity to implement EU-funded projectsExcellent communication skills (both written and oral).How to apply Please submit your application, consisting of a cover letter and Europass format CV to the following email address: ****** (Quoting Reference No: 47187); no later than 15/05/2024, 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. 4 (four) 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.
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONOVERVIEW Location
South Africa
Category
Local Agent
Deadline
15.05.2024
How to apply?
Please submit your application, consisting of a cover letter and Europass format CV to the email address and quote reference number: 47187
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