The European Union Delegation to the Kingdom of Lesotho is looking for a Programme Officer in the Cooperation Section
We are
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, cooperation and working with global organisations. Abroad, the EU is represented through more than 140 diplomatic representations, also known as EU Delegations, which have a similar function to those of an embassy.
The EU Delegation to the Kingdom of Lesotho 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 Government of Lesotho in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.
We offer
The post of Programme Officer (Local Agent Group 1) in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section. The team consists of 11 people and there are occasional atypical working hours.
The successful candidate will occupy a specific job function as Programme Officer in the Cooperation section, contributing to policy dialogue, policy formulation, and project management in the fields of private sector development, trade, economic governance, and public financial management. This job function may be changed in accordance with the needs of the Delegation. Under this job function, the successful candidate will serve under the supervision and responsibility of the Head of Cooperation.
The following main tasks and duties are currently required:
- Jointly with Cooperation Section colleagues, lead on the thematic areas of private sector development, trade, economic governance, and public financial management;
- Prepare sound fact-based sector analyses, sector strategies, briefings and position papers;
- Contribute to the preparation of cooperation programmes and projects in the priority sectors defined by the Lesotho-EU cooperation framework, by providing analysis, proposals, reports and appraisals, elaborated in close co-ordination with the authorities, development partners, civil society, private sector, academia, and other international and national stakeholders and actors involved;
- Contribute to all aspects of the Project Cycle Management (PCM): project identification, formulation, implementation, assessment – mainly in the field specified above, while additional files in the field of governance and societal issues may be added to the portfolio according to the section’s workload;
- Contribute to contracting processes in indirect management and direct management;
- Ensure the pro-active supervision of the project implementation process and accurate project performance follow-up with stakeholders and implementing partners;
- Monitor contractual obligations (via periodic reviews, reporting as well as evaluations, third party monitoring, results oriented monitoring, audits, expenditure verifications et al.), gather and handle external expertise;
- Attend project management and monitoring meetings, elaborate progress and evaluation reports on projects and project achievements and propose action if and when needed;
- Participate in technical meetings with counterparts and technical level co-ordination structures such as relevant sector platforms, sector donor coordination fora et al;
- Prepare comprehensive briefings and succinct speaking points for the Head of Cooperation / Head of Delegation for high-level meetings;
- Comply with the instructions of – and maintain close contacts with – the European Commission Services in Brussels, notably DG INTPA. Provide contributions to briefings, reports, etc.;
- Participate in and provide support as required to in country missions of the Cooperation Section as well as incoming missions and visits by members of the European Commission and/or other EU Institutions;
- Support the Cooperation Section colleagues by providing back-up of portfolio during colleagues’ absences and/or as instructed due to workload;
- Contribute to the communication and visibility activities about Lesotho EU cooperation;
- Contribute to EU Delegation reporting activities;
- Extract and disseminate best practices and facilitate exchange of experiences.
NB: the above list is indicative, not exhaustive.
The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from LSL 38,282.00. There is a competitive benefits package, subject to certain conditions, including personal leave days and public holidays, health insurances and a provident savings plan.
The expected start date will be 1 November 2024.
Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)
- A university qualification or degree in the areas of economics, law, political science, international studies, social science or equivalent;
- A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in the support to private sector development, trade, economic governance, and public financial management;
- Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken);
- Communication skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;
- Full computer literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, MS Outlook).
Assets / selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)
- Additional relevant qualifications in the area of experience would be an advantage;
- Experience of working in an international environment would be an advantage;
- Experience of project management would be an advantage;
- Experience with financial support mechanisms (results-based grants, blending, guarantees, etc.) would be an advantage;
- Accuracy and attention to details;
- Knowledge of specific EU IT platforms will be considered an advantage.
How to apply
Please submit your application via this secure online form, no later than 16 September 2024 at 12:00. Only complete applications received on time via the below form will be considered.
The successful candidate will be subject to a medical examination.
