1. Introduction
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs services across the globe. The WCO represents 186 Customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.
As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a wide range of conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations, as well as fostering international cooperation among them.
In June 2024, WCO Council approved a modernization plan for the Organization. This plan included a restructuring, which came into effect on 1 July 2025, designed to address challenges identified by Members and the Secretariat. The new structure includes a new dedicated Stakeholder Engagement Office (SEO) under the direction of the Chief of Staff.
2. Short Description of the Vacant Position
The WCO is looking to recruit an official as Head of Stakeholder Engagement Office who will manage a small team (currently one Stakeholder Engagement Officer) and report directly to the Chief of Staff. The SEO will, through the development and implementation of concrete engagement plans with diverse stakeholders (international organizations, private sector, academia and donors), ensure that the interests and objectives of the WCO are met, especially with regard to the principles of the Strategic Plan. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced individual to establish the Stakeholder Engagement Office and contribute directly to the modernization of the WCO.
3. Main Accountabilities
Under the supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Head of Stakeholder Engagement Office will focus on the following key activities:
Leadership
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Manage SEO staff in accordance with the WCO’s values, Staff Manuals and policies, including management of leave and attendance, recruitment, onboarding, offboarding and associated knowledge transfer, as well as staff welfare, liaising with the Human Resources (HR) Service and other relevant services, as required.
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Assign tasks to SEO staff, ensuring alignment with individual skills and capacities, balancing workloads to the extent possible, and setting deadlines and expectations.
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Provide guidance and direction to SEO staff, ensuring ongoing two-way feedback, setting objectives and development plans, conducting performance evaluations, and identifying opportunities for development.
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Ensure effective communication and knowledge-sharing within the SEO, and in coordination with other managers in the WCO.
Stakeholder Engagement
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Develop and maintain a Stakeholder Engagement Policy that aligns with the WCO’s Mission, Vision and goals.
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Collaborate with Senior Management to define stakeholder engagement priorities.
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Develop stakeholder classification to ensure optimized allocation of resources.
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Develop stakeholder engagement objectives and strategies for existing and potential stakeholders, coordinate and monitor the implementation of those strategies.
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Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for establishing and managing the Stakeholder Engagement function.
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Coordinate stakeholder engagement efforts across the Organization, collaborating with the Directorates and services concerned (e.g. Project Management Office, Communications Service, etc.).
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Define criteria, requirements and obligations for WCO stakeholders and methods to evaluate their impact on WCO activities.
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Conduct Stakeholder Engagement foresight for the identification of new stakeholders with the potential of mutually beneficial partnerships.
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Provide regular updates to Senior Management regarding stakeholder engagement activities and brief on future engagement plans.
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Regularly assess stakeholder satisfaction and the success of engagement initiatives.
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Represent the WCO at relevant meetings and other fora.
4. Education
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A minimum of an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and/or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.
5. Experience and Essential Qualifications
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Minimum 7 years of relevant and professional experience in stakeholder engagement and the development of engagement strategies (or a combination thereof);
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Leadership potential and the motivation to take on the day-to-day management of staff in a multi-cultural environment;
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Ability to work across an organization in a collaborative manner;
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Strong analytical skills and proven experience in working effectively under pressure in a multicultural and cross-institutional environment;
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Strong inter-personal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with staff and stakeholders;
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Strong drafting skills and the ability to prepare and review engagement strategies;
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Good knowledge of computer applications and information systems, in particular MS Office.
Previous management experience would be advantageous but is not essential.
6. Languages
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Fluency in English or French, the WCO’s official languages.
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Knowledge of the other official WCO language would be considered an asset.
7. Contract and Conditions
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Staff member under WCO contract of five (5) years (with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum total duration of appointment at A-Grade of 10 years;
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Probationary period: six (6) months;
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Full-time employment (thirty-seven (37) hours and forty (40) minutes weekly) at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium;
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Thirty (30) days of annual paid leave;
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Salary based on the Co-ordinated Organisations’ salary scale, grade A3, step 1; amount of 8,091.28 EUR/month (remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium);
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The basic salary can be augmented by allowances based on the staff member’s eligibility, and it is subject to the mandatory withholding of terminal allowance (for retirement planning) and medical and life & disability insurance contributions.
This position is subject to the WCO Staff Manual (for permanent staff). If a candidate is related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), they are required to specifically indicate this in the application.
8. Application and Recruitment Process
Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than 16 November 2025, midnight Central European Team (CET), including a CV and motivation letter in English or French. This application should be sent by email to: [email protected]
The subject line of the email sent by each candidate should clearly indicate the job vacancy for which they are applying.
The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how they meet each of the essential qualifications and requirements. Applicants are encouraged to describe tangible achievements in their CV and motivation letter, as well as to include contact details for their referees.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an assessment, which may include a written test and/or an interview. All short-listed candidates may be requested to provide copies of their original diploma, certificates and proof of relevant experience. Pre-selected candidates may also be subject to reference checks to confirm the information provided in their application.
Interested candidates may submit a request for additional information via email, providing their full name and contact details.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application, according to the criteria for the position and the applicable WCO rules.
9. Additional Information
The WCO is committed to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability, as well as to promoting diversity among its staff members. Accordingly, applications from qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, will receive equal treatment and due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting nationals from WCO Members on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The age limit for employment at the WCO is 65. Please note that the WCO Headquarters building is a non-smoking environment.
