- Contract type: Local Agent
Vacancy Notice
Job title: Project Officer
(m/f/x)
LOCAL AGENT GROUP I
Ref: Sysper Job no. 245458 – Cooperation 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 Bangladesh, based in Dhaka, works in close coordination with the embassies and consulates of the 27 EU Member States. As a fully-fledged diplomatic mission, it represents the European Union in its relations with the Government of Bangladesh on matters falling within the EU’s competence.
We offer
The post is for a Project Officer (Local Agent, Group I) in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section, under a fixed-term employment contract of 2 years, with a possibility of renewal under reserve of budgetary availabilities and operational considerations. For internal candidates holding an indefinite-term contract, alternative contractual arrangements may apply in accordance with institutional policies. The post holder will be part of the Human Capital, Migration and Civil Society team, which comprises nine staff members. Standard working hours are 37.5 hours per week, although occasional work outside normal working hours may be required.
Under the supervision of the relevant thematic Head of Section and the Head of International Partnerships (HoP), the post holder will contribute to advancing EU strategic priorities through the implementation of the Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027 and subsequent programming documents, including its enabling-environment and partnership dimensions. In this context, the post holder will contribute to the programming, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EU cooperation in the human capital and civil society sphere, as well as to policy dialogue, analytical work and stakeholder engagement. The post holder will also help maintain effective working relationships with Government counterparts, civil society organisations, local NGOs, development partners and other relevant stakeholders, with a view to strengthening the policy, institutional and partnership conditions necessary for effective EU cooperation and the implementation of Global Gateway.
The following main tasks and duties are currently required:
+ PROGRAM / PROCESS / PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Delegation’s project cycle management
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Manage and contribute to all phases of the project cycle for assigned programmes and projects, including identification and formulation; preparation of Financing Proposals, Action Documents and Financing Agreements; preparation of calls for proposals and tenders and participation in evaluation and contracting processes; review of annual work plans; monitoring of implementation, results and risks; preparation and processing of payments and disbursement files; Results-Oriented Monitoring (ROM), evaluation and audit follow-up; visibility and communication of results; and project closure.
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Contribute, under the guidance of the Team Leader and HoP, to programming and the identification and formulation of new cooperation actions, including sector analysis, stakeholder and partner mapping, preparation of concept notes and Action Documents, assessment of implementation constraints and opportunities, and development of a pipeline of potential future interventions.
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Contribute to the programming, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of EU-funded civil society and human rights initiatives, including regular engagement with implementing partners and local civil society organisations and identification of opportunities to strengthen participation, local ownership and sustainability.
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Serve as gender focal point and ensure gender mainstreaming throughout the Delegation’s portfolio including GAP III implementation. Liaise with governmental counterparts such as the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
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Identify and help address procedural, institutional, operational or implementation constraints affecting assigned programmes, liaising as appropriate with implementing partners, Government counterparts, Commission services and other stakeholders to facilitate timely and effective delivery.
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Ensure that information relating to assigned programmes and projects is entered accurately, comprehensively and in a timely manner in OPSYS and other relevant Commission corporate systems, perform required quality checks and apply the appropriate workflow approvals.
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Participate in project steering committees and project-management meetings organised by implementing partners.
+ EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
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Produce and disseminate programme and project results through workshops, seminars, conferences and other appropriate public events; identify and share good practices and lessons learned; and contribute to communication and visibility activities promoting the EU, its cooperation programmes, policies and results.
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Develop and maintain regular substantive working relationships with relevant Government ministries and agencies, local civil society organisations and NGOs, research and academic institutions, implementing partners, EU Member States, international organisations, development partners and, where relevant, private-sector and professional organisations.
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Maintain and progressively expand the Delegation’s network of relevant local interlocutors, helping to ensure continuity of stakeholder relationships, institutional knowledge and effective engagement across programming and implementation cycles and during staff rotations.
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Support structured consultations and sustained engagement with civil society, including emerging and grassroots organisations, and contribute to maintaining the Delegation’s understanding of developments, opportunities and constraints affecting civic participation and the operating environment for civil society.
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Contribute to Team Europe and wider development-partner coordination in relevant areas, including participation in thematic coordination mechanisms and exchanges with EU Member States, international financial institutions, UN agencies and bilateral and multilateral partners, with a view to promoting complementarity, avoiding duplication, identifying opportunities for joint action and supporting coherent policy dialogue.
+ TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AND ADVICE
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Contribute to the development and implementation of EU strategies, programming priorities and cooperation approaches in the areas of human capital development, migration and civil society.
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Support and contribute to policy dialogue in assigned areas, providing technical and contextual analysis to help ensure coherence between EU cooperation priorities, relevant Government reform strategies and wider EU external-action objectives.
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Monitor relevant political, policy, institutional and socio-economic developments affecting the portfolio and assess their implications for EU cooperation and programme implementation.
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Prepare and contribute to analytical notes, briefings, reports, speaking points, background material and other inputs for Delegation management, Headquarters and visiting missions, as required.
+ DG- OR SERVICE-INTERNAL MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION - Coordination and Consultation
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Participate in relevant inter-section coordination meetings and consult and involve other Delegation sections as required.
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Work closely with other Delegation teams where sector priorities intersect with investment, digital transformation, green transition and other areas of EU cooperation, contributing to integrated and mutually reinforcing approaches across the Delegation’s portfolio.
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Contribute to maintaining institutional knowledge and continuity within the human capital, migration and civil society portfolio, including accurate records of programme history, policy developments, stakeholder relationships, key commitments and implementation experience, and support effective handovers during changes in portfolio responsibilities or staff rotations.
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Maintain contacts and facilitate exchanges of experience with relevant Commission and EEAS services, professionals in Headquarters and other EU Delegations.
+ BUDGET, FINANCE, CONTRACTS AND ACCOUNTING - Budget, Finance & Contracts
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Verify the financial and budgetary aspects of assigned projects and programmes.
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Prepare contracts and related workflow actions in OPSYS and other relevant Commission corporate systems.
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Monitor financial expenditure as reported in cost statements and provide reasonable assurance that claimed costs correspond to the work accomplished.
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Provide the required information for audit and control by Commission services and the European Court of Auditors.
+ Personal Skills:
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Motivated, resilient and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a multicultural team, including under time pressure and across competing priorities. Strong analytical, drafting, communication and problem-solving skills, sound judgement, and demonstrated ability to develop and maintain constructive professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from BDT. 310,955 to BDT. 647,443. 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 February 2027.
Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered):
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University degree (Bachelor or equivalent level; ISCED level 6)
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5 years of relevant professional experience (project management, cooperation and development, etc.), acquired after having obtained the degree referred to above
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Excellent knowledge of Bangla and excellent command of English (min. CEFR C1 level)
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Right to residence and work in the country at the time of submitting the application
Assets/selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant):
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Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development cooperation, public administration, law, economics, political science, international relations, public policy, human rights, gender studies or another field relevant to the functions of the post.
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Professional experience in civil society, democracy, human rights, gender, public administration or institutional reform.
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Experience working with EU external-action instruments and procedures.
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Experience in engagement with local civil society organisations and NGOs, including management or monitoring of grant-funded interventions.
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Experience contributing to policy analysis, programming and dialogue with Government and development partners.
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Knowledge of the institutional, political and civil-society landscape in Bangladesh and demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective professional networks with local stakeholders.
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Experience of Team Europe, Global Gateway or other multi-stakeholder cooperation and investment-related initiatives.
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Microsoft Office and standard digital collaboration tools.
How to apply
Please send your CV and cover letter in English and in PDF format via email to:
DELEGATION-BANGLADESH-APPLICATIONS@eeas.europa.eu
Deadline for sending application: Monday, 23 November 2026 at 16:00 Hours - Dhaka Time
Candidates must draft their CV using the Europass CV, which can be found at the following internet address: https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv
Only short-listed candidates will be called for appearing in a written test and/or interview.
The Delegation will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure by telephone. Please address any queries concerning this procedure to the following functional mailbox: DELEGATION-BANGLADESH-APPLICATIONS@eeas.europa.eu
Caution: The applicant must verify that he/she fulfils all the conditions. For easy verification, the applicant must mark all the squares r relating to each document or application condition. The absence of one of these conditions or documents is a reason for the rejection of the application.
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 and motivation letter; practical testing and interviews. The 3 or more best candidates will be invited to the final interview and/or written test.
Only candidates admitted to each successive selection phase will be contacted individually. 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.
The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment screening process, which may include verification of qualifications, employment history, professional references, identity, right-to-work status. Please note that the final offer of employment is conditional upon successful completion of a medical check and a background verification process.
Candidates who wish to lodge a complaint regarding the recruitment process may submit a written communication to the functional mailbox to which they sent the initial application. Upon receipt, the Delegation will review the matter and, where appropriate, consult Headquarters before providing a response.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
The European Union is committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its employees and applicants for employment. As an employer, the EU is committed to promoting gender equality, preventing discrimination on any grounds and ensuring a zero tolerance approach to any form of harassment. It actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. We aim at a service which is truly representative of society, where each staff member feels respected, is able to give their best and can develop their full potential.
If pre-selected, candidates with disabilities are invited to contact the Delegation in order to accommodate any special needs and provide assistance to ensure equality of opportunities with other candidates.
If a candidate with a disability is selected and recruited, the EEAS is committed to appropriate measures in order to accommodate his or her special needs to the working place or working conditions in accordance with Art 4 of the Decision ADMIN(2025)13 of the Director-General for Resource Management of the European External Action Service on providing reasonable accommodation for local staff with disabilities working in Union Delegations.
DATA PROTECTION NOTICE: