European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organisations. 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 Turkmenistan

• ensures the representation of the European Union to Turkmenistan;
• ensures the follow-up of bilateral relations in the areas of political, economic, trade and external assistance cooperation (financial and technical);
• ensures the follow-up of EU policies in all sectors;
• promotes and defends the values and interests of the EU;
• contributes to coordination with Member States’ Embassies, particularly in the fields of EU competences, notably trade and external assistance;
• carries out the CFSP demarches and coordinates with the Member States when appropriate;
• reports back to Headquarters on all matters of interest for EU policies;
• carries out press and public diplomacy activities in pursuit of the above;
• assists with the implementation of the multi-annual programming of aid and the management of programmes and devolved projects within the framework of the external aid instruments of the EU Budget.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance close working relationships with local media and P&I officers of other diplomatic missions in order to promote visibility for the EU policies, EU-funded programmes, projects and other activities;
• Ensure daily monitoring and analysis of local media reporting on political, economic and social issues and produce press reviews;
• Advise the Head of Delegation and colleagues on relevant media and visibility issues;
• Prepare, edit and disseminate documents (such as the translation, summary and analysis of press articles, press releases, special publications, brochures, etc.), in close cooperation with the thematically concerned sections/colleagues;
• Ensure quality edition and regular updating of the Delegation’s website content, as well as social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, etc.);
• Preparation of press conferences, interviews and other public relations events in order to strengthen the EU’s visibility;
• Contribute to the definition of the overall communication strategy and action planning, in order to improve the visibility of EU activities in the host country;
• Contribute to the preparation of the Annual Management Plan;
• Respond to requests from the public and press enquiries, prepare briefing dossiers, organise press coverages for the Delegation's activities;
• Monitoring and controlling the information & communication performance, bringing significant problems to the attention of the Head of Delegation;
• Ensure efficient coordination with Member States’ embassies on media-related issues and cultural activities, including on organisation of joint media related issues, cultural activities such as the annual European Film Festival, concerts and other joint visibility activities;
• Prepare annual information & communication budget and report on budget utilisation;
• Work closely with relevant services in the HQs;
• Manage Delegation's information and promotional material;
• Liaise with the other EU Delegations in the region and provide support for regional communications activities;
• Help to establish and maintain close working relationships with local civil societies, universities, volunteers and similar.
• Any other task as requested by the Head of the EU Delegation according to the needs of the service.

Working environment/conditions: multicultural environment

Place of employment: Ashgabat

Group: FG I

Starting basic salary: In line with the Delegation basic pay scale, updated at least annually, currently set at EUR 1 986 and paid in USD.

Selection Criteria

Minimum Requirements

• Medically fit to perform the required duties*;
• Enjoys civil rights and permits for employment under local law;
• Has a very good knowledge of the working language of the Delegation - English (minimum ability to understand C2, ability to read C2, ability to speak C2, ability to write C2 according Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - Self-assessment grid available at https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/sites/default/files/cefr-en.pdf );
• Has a very good knowledge of Turkmen and Russian language (ability to understand C2, ability to read C2, ability to speak C2, ability to write C2 according Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - Self-assessment grid available at https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/sites/default/files/cefr-en.pdf );
• University degree in a relevant field (communication, international relations, public affairs);
• Minimum 4 years of work experience in a relevant field (media, organisation of public events);
• Independent/Advanced user of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Internet browser.

The following will be considered an asset

• Professional experience in a diplomatic or international mission;
• Knowledge of other EU language;
• A keen interest in promoting cooperation between the European Union and Turkmenistan;
• A proactive, self-motivated person with the ability to work within a team, respecting deadlines;
• Capacity to work in a multicultural team, showing good interpersonal skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Rigorous mindset, conceptual ability and clarity of analysis;
• Ability to carry out tasks and draft flawless, concise and clear documents, even when working under pressure, and to respond quickly to new demands;
• Sense of organisation, method, courtesy and initiative;
• High degree of confidentiality and responsibility when dealing with EU-related information.
• Extensive knowledge of local media;
• Thorough knowledge of communication techniques (including electronic publishing);
• Knowledge of EU institutions, legislation and programmes would be an asset.

How to apply

Please send your application and supporting documents to Delegation-Turkmenistan-HOA@eeas.europa.eu. The package should include a cover letter (max 1 page) and a detailed CV based on a template available at https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/editors/en/cv/compose. Non-compliant applications will not be considered.

The Delegation will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure by telephone: please address any queries concerning this procedure to Delegation-Turkmenistan-HOA@eeas.europa.eu.

The procedure

After the deadline for applications, the applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee set up for this purpose. The Selection Committee will prepare a short-list of candidates whose profiles comply with the minimum selection criteria and who are considered to be the most suitable for the post on the basis of a preliminary assessment of the information provided in their application letter and the supporting documents. The short-listed candidates will be invited to an assessment phase which will include a written test and/or an interview – during this phase, the Selection Committee will assess the suitability of the candidates for the post.

The 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 Vacancy Notice to inform the remaining candidates once the recruitment procedure has been completed and that a candidate has (or has not) been recruited.

The deadline for applications is: 07 June 2023, EOB.