The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA 2006) is a modern and comprehensive regional free trade agreement, designed as an integral part of the pre-accession agenda. It provides a strong legal basis for policy formulation and implementation in key areas related to trade and investment. In addition to an ambitious agenda facilitating trade in goods and services, CEFTA is developing activities aimed at improving the overall framework in trade-related areas, such as digitalisation, intellectual property rights, consumer protection, among others.
The CEFTA Parties have agreed on an ambitious agenda to further contribute to economic growth, recognised also in the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2025-2028.
Namely, building on the progress made in the past four years, the Western Balkans leaders adopted on 14 October 2024, a new Common Regional Market Action Plan for 2025-2028, which sets the direction for enhancing trade, mobility, and investment and integration with the EU Single Market. The new four-year plan is divided into 6 pillars out of which 3 pillars are to be implemented by CEFTA: free movement of goods, free movement of services, and horizontal trade measures.
The Secretariat of CEFTA 2006 was established in Brussels, Belgium, in September 2008. The overall role of the Secretariat is to provide technical and administrative support to the Joint Committee, Chair in Office, and to the bodies established by the Joint Committee.
A specially appointed Selection Committee is now seeking applications for the position of Director.
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Secretariat of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA 2006) was established in Brussels, Belgium, on 8 September 2008 in accordance with the Agreement on Amendment of and Accession to the Central European Free Trade Agreement signed in Bucharest in December 2006.
The Secretariat supports the Joint Committee and all the CEFTA Bodies established by the Joint Committee, in accordance with the mandate of the Secretariat. The CEFTA Parties and the European Commission currently finance the Secretariat and its activities.
The CEFTA Joint Committee in recent years has agreed on an ambitious agenda to further contribute to economic growth. This includes additional liberalisation and trade facilitation, as well as advancing investment-related issues outlined in the Agreement.
CEFTA plays an important role in delivering the economic integration agenda set in the Common Regional Market (CRM) Action Plan 2025-2028 and each year translated into annual chairmanship priorities and working programmes of the CEFTA Bodies. CEFTA activities have three important pillars: trade in goods (free movement of goods), trade in services (free movement of services), and horizontal trade measures which are relevant for both goods and services.
Furthermore, the CEFTA Secretariat plays an important role in securing and managing additional financing for the functioning of the Secretariat and for CEFTA-related activities. To date, the Secretariat has secured substantial funding under the EC’s IPA programme as well as from bilateral donors. Much of these funds are used to provide technical assistance and targeted expertise to assist the CEFTA Parties in implementing the Agreement and the various decisions of the Joint Committee. Thus, the Secretariat has an important role to play in the project management of technical assistance activities. The Joint Committee’s Decision to create a programme of Seconded National Experts to the Secretariat has increased the Secretariat’s responsibilities in terms of capacity development.
The number of structures under CEFTA has increased and the work programme has expanded accordingly to accommodate these new challenges. The Secretariat has also evolved to support the larger work programme. The core team of the CEFTA Secretariat is comprised of a Director, Technical Experts, and administrative staff. A rotating system of secondments to the CEFTA Secretariat from the CEFTA Parties commenced in July 2015. Trade experts from Parties holding the Chair in Office and/or the Chair of CEFTA bodies are based at the Secretariat for a minimum of 6 months to support the implementation of the work programme of the respective body. Additionally, the Secretariat can also recruit project staff whose engagement is directly linked to the implementation of projects funded by external donors (namely, the European Commission).
2. TASKS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The Director shall lead and manage the CEFTA Secretariat in a highly professional and impartial manner. S/he will ensure the provision of technical, management, and professional support to the Joint Committee, its sub-committees, and other bodies established under the Agreement. S/he will prioritise, coordinate, and manage the work of the staff of the Secretariat in support of the Joint Committee and in consultation with the Chair in Office.
Specific tasks include:
Overseeing the provision of support for the preparation and implementation of the annual work programmes of the various CEFTA structures in cooperation with the respective Chairs;
Ensuring the proper organisation and follow-up of all meetings of the Joint Committee and its bodies. This shall include, but not be limited to, work involving research and preparation of background documents and/or technical papers, and all management and administrative measures necessary for the proper preparation and organisation of meetings;
Ensuring preparation in a timely fashion of draft minutes of all meetings for approval in accordance with CEFTA procedures;
Securing donor financing for the functioning of the Secretariat and for CEFTA-related activities and managing and monitoring the progress of these initiatives (e.g. CEFTA Open Fund; Seconded Experts, etc.);
Ensuring periodic reports on the progress of Secretariat work to the Chair and to the Joint Committee;
Providing annual reports to the Joint Committee on the staffing, activities, and finances of the Secretariat;
Financial management/budget planning;
Implementing and managing the practical affairs of the Secretariat in accordance with the “Headquarters” agreement with the Belgian authorities and with any financing agreements between the Secretariat and donor organisations;
Managing the operation and maintenance of the official archive of the Agreement in liaison with the Depositary and in accordance with the decisions of the Joint Committee;
Making public appearances and providing public speeches in media related to CEFTA objectives, activities, and achieved results.
3. KEY REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Academic background
Required:
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Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent 300 ETCS) in economics, finance, business administration, law, public administration, or other related technical area.
3.2 Technical Experience and Knowledge
Required:
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At least 12 years of professional experience;
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At least 7 years of recent management experience with responsibility for managing contracts, budget, multiple processes, and people;
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At least 7 years of experience in trade policy-related issues (international trade or trade with EU) in public administrations and/or international organisations and/or NGOs and/or EU projects/technical assistance projects;
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In-depth knowledge in trade policy and in international, multilateral, and bilateral trade/economic development organisations and agreements;
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Fluency in English (oral and written).
Preferred:
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Experience in implementing EU projects or technical assistance projects related to trade;
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Experience in giving public speeches, interviews, in presenting public articles, moderating panels;
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Knowledge of CEFTA language(s).
3.3 Competencies
Integrity and neutrality: perform the duties assigned under full neutrality without favouring directly or indirectly individual interest of any CEFTA Party. In case an applicant from a public administration is selected, s/he will be required to resign from her/his civil servant position.
Diplomacy: mediate effectively the relations between the CEFTA Parties and deals with emerging obstacles in order to make progress on the topics subject to negotiation.
Communication: speak and write clearly and effectively in English. Applicants will be required to prove their oral and written expression competencies.
Result Orientation: deliver desired results and achieve the defined goals by making best use of the available resources.
Learning and development: gain new knowledge and skills on the job and apply it in the day-to-day business.
Operational management: manage the operational processes of the Secretariat in a way that maximises efficiency and provides best quality services and support to the Parties.
Leading people: ability to motivate the team to act toward achieving the objectives of the Secretariat.
Analytical thinking: general ability to analyse problems and identify effective solutions and risks related to those problems.
4. REPORTING
The Director will report to the Joint Committee. S/he will report to and consult with the Chair in Office on a regular basis to ensure the efficient management of the Secretariat in support of the Joint Committee.
5. LOCATION/CONTRACT
The Director will be based at the CEFTA Secretariat in Brussels. A contract of three years is foreseen (40-hour work week position) (e.g. probation period of six months) with a possibility of renewal for another 3 years.
The minimum annual salary for this position is 78 996 EUR which will be adjusted based on years of relevant professional experience of the person.
Additional benefits are offered on top of the salary.
The salary of the Director is subject to individual income tax in his/her country of origin (if applicable) and that varies in function of each personal situation.
The Secretariat is an equal opportunities employer.
An application form is available at:
Eligible applicants include civil servants from the CEFTA Parties administrations and personnel from international organisations, the private sector, and civil society. The successful candidate will be offered a competitive employment contract by the CEFTA Secretariat.
Interested candidates should upload a completed application form in English.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 13 May 2025, 23.59 CET. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.