Project reference: EU–GCC Public Diplomacy and Outreach Facility (FPI)
How to Apply
Please send your updated CV to gdsivacancies@gdsi.ie by the 07 April 2026. Ensure your email subject line reads “EU–GCC Facility [indicate Key Expert 1 / Key Expert 2 / Non-Key Expert]” based on the position you’re applying for.
Submission Deadline
All applications must be received by the 07 April 2026.
Assignment Duration
The intended start date is 01 August 2026, and the contract implementation period will be 36 months.
Location
The primary place of operation will be Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (for Key Expert 1).
Key Expert 2 will be based in one of the GCC countries.
Travel within GCC countries and occasionally the EU is required.
About the Assignment
This assignment will support the implementation of EU external action in the Gulf region through public diplomacy, outreach activities, policy dialogue, and stakeholder engagement. The contractor will mobilise expertise, organise events, deliver communication activities, and support EU–GCC cooperation across multiple policy areas.
Project Description
Funded by the European Union (Service for Foreign Policy Instruments – FPI), this project aims to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The project will contribute to:
- Strengthening the EU’s position as a key partner in the GCC region
- Supporting implementation of EU–GCC cooperation initiatives
- Enhancing people-to-people engagement between the EU and GCC
Activities will include technical expertise deployment, organisation of events and exchanges, policy analysis, communication campaigns, and stakeholder engagement across sectors such as governance, rule of law, education, culture, gender equality, and digital transformation.
Expert Profiles:
1. Key experts
1 Key Expert 1: Team Leader and Political Cooperation Expert
(approx. 600 working days)
Qualifications and skills (Minimum requirements)
- Master’s degree in political science, international policy, diplomacy, or a directly related discipline OR Bachelor’s degree in the same field plus 4 additional years of relevant professional experience
- At least C2 level of English (CEFR) in written and oral communication. B2 level of Arabic is advantage
- Excellent ability to coordinate multi-level tasks, to work under pressure and react at short notice; client-oriented/problem solving attitude.
- Familiarity with EU approaches to gender-responsiveness
General professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Minimum 7 years of post-graduate professional experience in the management of projects related to international cooperation with third countries
Specific professional experience (Minimum requirements)**
- Minimum 4 years of professional experience in EU affairs and/or public diplomacy, including knowledge of EU institutions and policy areas
- Minimum 2 years of professional experience working in or with GCC countries
1.2 Key Expert 2: Public Diplomacy, Outreach and Communication Expert
(approx. 500 working days)
Qualifications and skills (Minimum requirements)
- Master’s degree in communication or a directly related discipline OR Bachelor’s degree in the same field plus 4 additional years of relevant professional experience
- At least C2 level of English (CEFR) in written and oral communication. B2 level of Arabic is advantage
General professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in communication, public relations, public diplomacy, journalism, media, design, or cultural management in international or cross-border contexts
Specific professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Minimum 3 years of experience in development and implementation of external communication and public relations strategies, including use of social media tools (twitter, instagram, facebook and similar).
- Minimum 2 years of experience in EU public diplomacy, including organisation and management of international events
- Proven professional experience working in or with GCC countries is considered an advantage
2. Non-Key Experts
The project foresees mobilisation of non-key experts across a range of thematic areas, including:
- Education and training
- Culture and sport
- Rule of law
- Governance
- Human rights and civil society
- Gender equality and youth
- Research and innovation
- Digital transformation and connectivity
Requirements
- Category I experts: Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the relevant thematic area
- Category II experts: Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the relevant thematic area
Experts must demonstrate:
- Strong technical expertise in their field
- Experience in international and/or cross-regional assignments
- Ability to operate in multicultural and politically sensitive environments