Vacancy annoucenment for the post of Programme Assistant at the European Civil Protection and H[...]

Vacancy Announcement for the Post of Programme Assistant at the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - ECHO Office in Pretoria

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 about 200 operational partners, including United Nations agencies, the Red Cross/Crescent movement, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Aid is channeled 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:

Programme Work

• Contributes to the appraisal, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and partner’s reports, including financial assessment of proposals.
• Critically studies and comments upon partners' reports and field operations and reports to line manager.
• 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.
• Assists with, participates in, and reports on meetings, as appropriate.
• Advises on the operational capacity of implementing partners.
• 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.
• Produces and circulates information of common interest (humanitarian situation reports, background information, etc).
• Accompanies the TA on field visits, as requested, and may act as interpreter if necessary.
• Assists the Head of Office/Technical Assistant in the event of an emergency response.
• Prepares maps, when appropriate.
• 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 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).
• Right to residence and permit for employment under local law. A copy of the work permit is to be included with the application.

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.

How to Apply:

Applications, including a cover letter, a detailed CV, a copy of education certificates, degree, and a copy of relevant employment certificates, should be uploaded at https://ats.flexi-personnel.com/jobs/ until 25/04/2025 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.

Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are not contacted by 30/06/2025 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 to 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.