WCO-JICA Project: Project Assistant


www.wcoomd.org 
 
1 
IMPLEMENTATION AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORATE 
CAPACITY DELIVERY SUB -DIRECTORATE 
FACILITATION IMPLEMENTATION UNIT 
 
 
WCO -JICA JOINT PROJECT 
 
PROJECT ASSISTANT 
 
 
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. T he WCO represents 18 7 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 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 foster international 
cooperation amongst them. 
 
2. PROJECT BACKGROUND 
In 2015, the WCO and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Memorandum of 
Cooperation to strengthen their partnership in the areas of trade facilitation, Customs modernization 
and capacity building. This cooperation was further developed through the WCO -JICA Joint Project, 
WCO I OMD Vacancy Notice 
www.wcoomd.org 2 which supports selected WCO Members in Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Central Asia and the 
Caucasus. 
The Project focuses on strengthening sustainable Customs capacity through the Master Trainer 
Programme (MTP) and related technical assistance activities. The MTP supports Customs 
administrations in developing pools of qualified trainers and practical training materials on key 
Customs topics, including risk management, post -clearance audit, classification, valuation and 
geospatial intelligence. 
The Project Assistant will contribute to the effective implementation of the WCO -JICA Joint Project 
by providing administrative, logistical, financial and communication support for project activities, 
missions, workshops, meetings and reporting. 
 
3. MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT 
The WCO -JICA Joint Project aims to support Customs modernization and sustainable capacity 
building i n WCO Members. Its main areas of work include : 
• Supporting the implementation of the WCO Action Plan on Fragile Borders and Conflict -
Affected Situations, 
• Supporting trade facilitation and Customs modernization in the Pacific Islands , including 
through WCO the Small Island Economies (SIEs) initiative, 
• Contributing to enhanced connectivity in Central Asia and Caucasus, 
• Implementing MTPs and follow -up activities in relevant Customs areas; and 
• Strengthening cooperation between the WCO and JICA. 
4. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES 
 
Under the supervision of the Manager of the WCO -JICA Joint Projec t, the Project Assistant will 
provide administrative, logistical, financial and communication support for the implementation of 
Project activities. In particular, the Project Assistant will: 
 
 
(a) Support the planning, preparation and logistical organization of missions, workshops, 
meetings, training activities and online engagements; 
(b) Prepare cost estimates, process claims and invoices, and support budget monitoring and 
financial follow -up; 
(c) Assist with reporting, including the regular progress report s to management; 
(d) Prepare and s ubmit travel requests according to the WCO procedures; 
(e) Maintain project records, documents, archives and activity files ; 
(f) Support procurement and contracting processes, including the preparation and follow -up 
of relevant documentation ; 
(g) Assist with the preparation of project reports, progress updates, correspondence and 
briefing materials ; 
(h) Supporting the revision (editing) and formatting of training materials and project 
documents ; 
(i) Maintain and updat e project related information using relevant WCO tools and databases 
when required; 
WCO I OMD Vacancy Notice 
www.wcoomd.org 3 (j) Support communication and liaison process with Member administrations, donors, 
partner organizations , experts and external stakeholders ; 
(k) Contribute to the preparation of web articles, social media content and other visibility 
materials; 
(l) Provid e French -English translations and vice versa for project related activities ; and 
(m) Perform any other project -related duties as assigned by the line manager. 
 
 
5. EDUCATION 
 
• University degree ; or an equivalent combination of education, skills and experience. 
 
6. EXPERIENCE AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION 
 
• Minimum two (2) years of previous experience in providing administrative , logistical and 
financial support in a programme/project context is required; 
• Experience in supporting the organization of workshops, meetings , missions and events 
(virtual and physical); 
• Experience with MS Office (in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint) ; 
• Experience in and/or knowledge of the functioning of international organization s; 
• Experience with ERP and other procurement systems would be beneficial (in particular 
knowledge in processing financial information, cost estimates, invoices or claims) . 
 
7. LANGUAGES 
 
• Fluency in English and French is mandatory . 
• The ability to draft , edit and proof -read formal documents in English and French is required . 
 
8. COMPETENCIES 
 
• Ability to work constructively in a small team and in a multinational environment; 
• Strong organizational skills; 
• Strong oral and written communication skills; 
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to tight deadlines; 
• Ability to adapt to and effectively use the administrative and financial tools ; 
• Knowledge of WCO tools will be an asset . 
 
9. CONTRACT AND CONDITIONS 
 
• Staff member under short -term contract of until 30 June 2027 with the possibility of renewal 
based on budget availability and performance; 
• Probationary period: six (6) months; 
• Full-time employment (37 hours and 40 minutes weekly) at the WCO Headquarters in 
Brussels, Belgium; 
• 30 days of annual paid leave on a pro -rata basis per year ; 
• Salary 4,100 EUR/month all -inclusive depending on experience (remuneration exempted 
from income tax in Belgium); 
• Relocation package not available ; and 
WCO I OMD Vacancy Notice 
www.wcoomd.org 4 • Compulsory WCO health insurance deducted from the salary (around 71 EUR/month). 
 
This position is subject to the Manual for Short -Term Contractors. The successful applicant shall not 
acquire the right subsequently to occupy a permanent post within the WCO. The successful applicant 
will not be affiliated to any retirement fund or pensio n scheme taken by the WCO. If a candidate is 
related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), 
he/she is required to expressly indicate this in the application . 
 
10. APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS 
Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than 1 August 2026 , 
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 should clearly indicate the name of the candidate . 
 
The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how he/she meets each of the essential qualifications 
and requirements. Applicants are encouraged to detail concrete achievements in their CVs and/or 
in their cover letters as well as include references. 
 
Only short -listed candidates will be contacted for an assessment which may include a written test 
and/or an interview. All short -listed c

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