Programme Assistant

The European Commission's Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) funds relief operations for victims of natural disasters and conflicts outside the European Union.

DG ECHO works with operational partners, including United Nations agencies, the Red Cross / Crescent movement, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Aid is channelled impartially, straight to victims, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality, or political affiliation. DG ECHO is recruiting one National Staff to be based in Pretoria (South Africa) as a Programme Assistant.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Programme Assistant (PA) will be based in Pretoria and will carry out activities to contribute to the delivery of an effective humanitarian response. The jobholder contributes to assessments, monitoring, and evaluations of projects, as well as to the analysis of the humanitarian context in coverage.

She/he is responsible for the following high-level responsibilities:

1. Programme work: Contributes to the appraisal, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and partner's reports, including financial assessment of proposals.
2. Critically studies and comments upon partners' reports and field operations and reports to the line manager.
3. Assists the HoO/TA (Technical Assistant) in the preparation of fiche-ops (e-documents completed by DG ECHO staff for assessing and monitoring projects), as appropriate.
4. Assists with, participates in, and reports on meetings, as appropriate.
5. Advises on the operational capacity of implementing partners.
6. Drafts reports on the humanitarian situation, including any political, economic, and security events relevant to the analysis of the humanitarian situation in the country/region.
7. Produces and circulates information of common interest (humanitarian situation reports, background information, etc.).
8. Accompanies the TA on field visits, as requested, and may act as interpreter if necessary.
9. Assists the Head of Office/Technical Assistant in the event of an emergency response.
10. Prepares maps, when appropriate.
11. Provides backstopping and surge support capacity in case of need.

Working with partners: Maintains contacts with DG ECHO's partners, advising of any major issues arising. Ensures communications with DG ECHO's partners, including establishing and maintaining a database of relevant organisations and personnel. Maintains contracts/grants database.

Coordination: Participates in meetings as requested. Liaises with local authorities and institutions, in coordination with the Head of Office/TA, as delegated and appropriate. Assists with enhancing the visibility and communication of DG ECHO's overall assistance. Responds to requests for information as delegated. Prepares missions: agenda setting, contacts with partners, programming visits, meetings, etc.

Required Qualifications

Education: A relevant first-level university degree or equivalent professional experience.

Knowledge and experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at national or international level in supporting programme/project operations, including at least 2 years of experience with an NGO, UN, donor, or national/international organisation. Good knowledge of the EU humanitarian aid system. Good knowledge of International NGOs, UN Aid Agencies, and the Red Cross Movement. Good understanding of Humanitarian Aid principles, policies, and standards. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Languages: An excellent knowledge of English (verbal and written). A good knowledge/understanding of French, level B2 is required (verbal and written). Knowledge of Portuguese is an added value.

Required Skills

Impeccable conduct in service, drive for results, excellent communication skills, capacity to work with others, adaptability, and flexibility skills.

Applications, including a cover letter, a detailed CV, a copy of education certificates, degree, and a copy of relevant employment certificates, should be uploaded via the link until 25/04 at 18:00h.

The vacancy reference REF: "ECHO/PA/PRY" must be clearly indicated in the subject line.

This position is open to nationals and other residents of South Africa with valid permanent residence permits. DG ECHO applies a policy of equal opportunities.

Our recruitment policy is based on respect for diversity, maintaining the gender balance, as well as the balance between professional and private life, and support for training and development opportunities.

For information, the employment conditions that could be proposed include an initial contract of one year with the possibility of renewal subject to a 3-month probationary period and following a positive annual evaluation.

As an indication, the monthly basic salary range is ZAR 49,000.00 (minimum corresponding to 5 years' experience and subject to local tax law). The salary will be adapted according to the exact duration of relevant professional experience supported by a work certificate (two years of relevant experience account for one step in DG ECHO's salary grid).

In addition to this, the employee will also receive disability/retirement allowance, a 13th month salary, as well as medical coverage. DG ECHO's employees are bound by the National Staff code of conduct which is available on the link: the short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Candidates who are not contacted by 30/06 should consider that they have not been selected. Any form of canvassing, soliciting, or influencing will be treated as grounds for disqualification. Shortlisted candidates who are successful in the written test and who make it to the oral interview phase but are not selected for the final selection could be included (depending on the results of the oral interview) in a reserve list and can be considered if a new procedure takes place for a similar post in the next 12 months.

Any processing of your personal data will be done in accordance with the applicable EU legislation (Regulation (EU) / of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. The privacy statement can be found on DG ECHO's website.