The EU Delegation is looking for a trade officer. We offer a job function as a temporary Policy Officer until 15 April 2027 to replace the ordinary holder of the post during the official’s parental leave. The successful candidate will contribute to the work of the trade section, contributing to EU-Republic of Korea relations and aims to positively reinforce the partnership.

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 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 role of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea includes:

To represent the Union, as appropriate, in the Republic of Korea;
To inform the European Union on political, social, economic, external relations and trade developments in the Republic of Korea and, in this regard, to maintain contact with the principal players in the fields of politics and public life generally, the economy, business, civil society and higher education;
To ensure a smooth and fruitful development of bilateral relations in the political, economic and co-operation fields and to seek to develop and encourage initiatives to promote cooperation under the Framework Agreement.

The Trade Section contributes to the better understanding by the European Commission of trade, economic, industrial and transport policies and developments in the Republic of Korea through regular and ad hoc reporting. The Trade Section carefully monitors the implementation of the EU-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement. In order to do that, the Trade Section engages directly with local authorities, Member States, EU businesses operating in the Republic of Korea, local industry federations and any other local stakeholder deemed relevant. The Trade Section pays particular attention to market access issues, in close collaboration with EU businesses operating in the Republic of Korea, in order to achieve concrete results.

We offer

The successful candidate will contribute through its research, analysis, reporting, advocacy and communication to a robust and interest-based approach towards EU-Republic of Korea economic and trade relations. The Trade Section’s priority task is to contribute to the implementation and enforcement of the EU-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement and related agreements. The tasks and assignments take place under the supervision and responsibility of the Head of the Trade Section.

Analysis and Intelligence

Sectoral reporting (e.g. industrial policy, key industrial sectors, WTO reform, trade in services)
Support analysis in sectors of relevance (trade, economic security, investments, etc.).

Market Access

Identify, and describe market access issues and developments in these policy areas and analyse their consequences for EU interests

Implementation of Agreements

Monitor implementation of bilateral, plurilateral or multilateral commitments of the Republic of Korea in these areas

Operations:

Maintain good and effective contacts with local authorities, private sector representatives and professional organizations
Prepare and assist in missions from Headquarters

Support the Trade and Economic section more broadly on other tasks of relevance and interest.

Place of employment is Seoul, in the premises of the Delegation of the EU to the Republic of Korea. The temporary employment is on a full-time basis, with 37.5 weekly working hours in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment. A locally hired temporary (interim) employee is employed exclusively on the basis of local law only, including for the purposes of social security. The monthly salary offered for the position of the Temporary Policy Officer is KRW 8,000,000. The monthly salary is subject to the deduction of taxes and the government required insurance contributions in accordance with the Korean law.

Selection criteria

Minimum Requirements:

Medically fit to perform the required duties;
Enjoys civil rights and permits for employment under local law;
He/she must hold a University degree that is relevant for the function he/she is asked to perform, preferably in Economics or Law.
Have an excellent ability to process and analyse large amounts of information, and provide the hierarchy with a synthetic overview and operational guidance.
Language: excellent knowledge of English language, capacity to communicate clearly and confidently in English; Knowledge of the Korean language is strongly recommended.
Have knowledge and experience of wider EU trade and economic policies, and other external relations policies, and the role of the EU, and the EU Delegations in this respect.
Good communications skills with external and internal contacts.
Computer literate
Analysing and problem-solving capacity to structure information
Communicating ability to understand and be understood, notably drafting skills
Flexibility (openness towards new demands, etc.)

The following will be considered as an asset:

working experience in the topics related to the specific field that he/she is asked to cover.
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and in a multicultural environment.
Working knowledge of the European Union, its main policies, treaties and legislation and functioning
Working experience in a multicultural environment such as Embassy, international organisation, multinational company

Personal skills

Working with others: ability to work in a team; diplomatic skills; knowledge sharing
Personal initiative, flexibility, well organized and able to perform duties independently with speed and accuracy without needing constant supervision;
High degree of integrity and ethics able to deal with confidential information.
Understanding of the political sensitivities, protocol and tone needed in a diplomatic working environment
Capable of clearly, efficiently and effectively conceptualising ideas and approaches.
Capable of producing high quality results within often tight deadlines.
Capacity to focus on priorities and to organise work to deliver on time.
Capacity to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and needs
Good presentation skills.

How to apply

Please send your application and supporting documents to [email protected] . The package should include a cover letter, and a detailed CV (using the Europass template on the following link: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/). Under subject, please indicate “Temporary Policy Officer Vacancy”.

The Delegation will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure by telephone: please address any queries concerning this procedure to [email protected] .

The deadline for applications is: 1 November 2026.

The procedure

After the deadline for applications, the applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee set up for this purpose.

The candidates who have not been short-listed will not be contacted individually.

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The European Union Delegation to the Republic of Korea is looking for a Temporary Policy Officer (Trade)