Policy Officer

Vacancy Notice - Policy Officer - 247704 / 57913

16.01.2026 New opportunity

Teaser

16 January 2026

The European Union Delegation to the Republic of South Africa, based in Pretoria is looking for:

Policy Officer in the Cooperation Section

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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…