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 Kazakhstan works in close coordination with the Embassies and Consulates of the 27 EU Member States (21 Embassies are present in Astana). We are a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and represent the European Union in dealings with the Government of Kazakhstan in areas that are part of the EU’s remit. In particular, the Delegation ensures the follow-up of bilateral relations in the areas of political, economic, trade and external partnership/cooperation (financial and technical), and bilateral sectorial cooperation; promotes and defends the values and interests of the EU, including human rights; and carries out press and public diplomacy activities in pursuit of the above. The Delegation facilitates the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and other bilateral memoranda of understanding.
We offer
The post of
Project Officer (Local Agent, Group I)
in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section
under a fixed term contract for 2 years
(with possibility of renewal under certain conditions) in a team of 12 people. Under the supervision of the Head of Cooperation, the selected candidate shall contribute to the Delegation's analysis and planning of EU cooperation activities for Kazakhstan and the Central Asia region. The Project Officer shall contribute to the identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and visibility for activities under the responsibility of the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). The Project Officer will oversee the contractual implementation of EU funded projects and programmes in the fields of education, health, culture and youth, including projects implemented by Civil Society Organisations, international organisations and private companies. Linked to this, he/she will also address thematic and crosscutting issues such as human rights, youth, gender and the environment and assist in ensuring donor coordination and cooperation with EU Member States and other stakeholders.
Functions And Duties
Under this post, the recruited person will be attributed functions depending on the needs of the Delegation, and on the changes of these needs:
- POLICY ANALYSIS
- Sector analysis, strategy formulation, programming and dialogue
- Analyse the socio-economic situation in KZ, TKM and CA and inform HoC accordingly.
- Contribute, upon request, to the development of strategies and programming of sector/ projects/actions: including Multiannual Indicative Programmes (MIP) and sector/country strategies
- Support policy dialogues with relevant ministries, agencies, institutes, cooperation partners and relevant stakeholders in close collaboration with other sections of the Delegation, Directorates General in HQ and other Delegations.
- Contribute to reports and briefings in all policy areas of responsibility defined under Overall purpose
- GENERAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Aid programmes management and coordination
- Project/ actions / trust fund identification and formulation
- Daily management of the contracts or agreements
- Close coordination with colleagues from the financial section
- Results-focused monitoring
- Participate, as requested, in Donor coordination in line with relevant conventions and commitments;
- Contribute to the effective operational coordination with EU MS in line with the KZ and the regional portfolio.
- Participate, as requested, in cooperation partner group meetings and act as the EU Delegation’s focal point that is providing overall coordination between donors or HQ on specific topics.
- Approval of interim and final narrative reports and invoices, and performance of the necessary administrative processes.
- SPECIFIC PROJECT/PROCESS MANAGEMENT
- Preparation and follow up of calls for tender
- Identification of projects / actions / in collaboration with beneficiary or partner institutions /
organisations/ agencies in KZ and/or the EU
- Formulation of projects / actions in collaboration with the beneficiary or partner institutions/organisations/agencies in KZ and/or the EU: drafting of project / action documents; presentation at Quality Support Reviews; recruitment, contracting and management of consultancies
- Drafting, negotiating and preparing for signature legal agreements with implementing partners.
- Preparation and follow-up of calls for tender, calls for proposal, contribution agreements
- Ensure up-to-date relevant project data input into relevant EC information and management systems (e.g. OPSYS data base) and EAMR.
- Participate in meetings related to project management, technical workshops and dissemination conferences - provide translation when appropriate; prepare speeches and accompany senior level EU representatives to projects/ actions.
- OPERATIONAL and ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT and RESOURCES
- Administrative support in the distribution / dissemination of publications
- Ensure proper communication / visibility of projects / actions progress to stakeholders: EU or regional institutions, EU member states, other cooperation partners, relevant other actions, civil society organisations, academia, etc.
- Evaluation of projects / actions: drafting terms of reference for evaluators under the framework contract; manage the publication of these terms of reference; support in the contracting and management of the consultants; report on debriefing meetings.
- Organise, make presentations and answer questions during information sessions or following written requests for clarifications.
- EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION (general)
- Communication relating to programme and projects
- Production and dissemination of the results of projects at workshops, seminars, conferences and other public events, or through social media and website.
- Extracting and disseminating best practices and facilitate exchanges of experience.
- Contribute to the production of publications and other visibility materials.
- Preparation of joint visibility efforts; prepared, implemented, contracted or coordinated by the EU Delegation;
The expected start date will be 15 October 2025.
Working environment and conditions
- Place of employment: Astana, Kazakhstan
- Group: I
- Starting basic salary (gross): KZT 1,266,968 (the basic salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience)
- Total Working hours per week: 37.5
- Contract Type: Fixed term
- Length of contract: 2 years (with possibility of renewal under certain conditions) We offer a competitive position in an international environment with benefits such as pension scheme and medical insurance.
- The job may occasionally require the jobholder to work atypical hours.
- The job will require the jobholder to undertake domestic and international travel linked to training and project monitoring activities but less frequently than 2 missions per month
Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)
- Medically fit to perform the required duties;
- Enjoys civil rights and permits for employment under local law;
- Has excellent spoken and written skills in English, Russian and Kazakh – English is the working language of the Delegation;
- Proven working experience of at least 3 years in international project management;
- University Degree (BA level) in law, finance, economics, political science, sociology or international development or similar;
Assets / selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)
- Working experience in a diplomatic mission or international organisation in Kazakhstan;
- Master degree in law, finance, economics, political science, sociology or international development or similar;
- Working experience in / with EU projects and with EU systems such as ARES, CRIS, OPSYS.
How To Apply
The applicant must send
all supporting documents in PDF format
:
- A cover letter and a detailed CV using the Europass format ONLY (template available at: https://europa.eu/europass/en/create-europass-cv )
Please submit your application via
eeasjobs-221@eeas.europa.eu
(Reference: Project Officer) no later than 23/09/2025, at 17:00hrs (Astana time).
Only complete applications received on time via email will be considered.The successful candidate will be subject to a medical check.
The process
After the deadline for applications, the applications will be reviewed by a Selection Panel set up for this purpose. The Selection Panel will prepare a short-list of candidates who are considered the most suitable for the post based on a preliminary assessment of the information provided in the cover letter and resume. The short-listed candidates will be invited to an assessment phase, which will include an interview and practical test. During this phase, the Selection Panel will assess the suitability of the candidates for the post. Those candidates who have not been short-listed will not be contacted individually; however, 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 Panel, but address your questions and comments to the Delegation’s Administration via Delegation-Kazakhstan-Vacancies@eeas.europa.eu.
