Political and Promotion Officer:UM2025/35966/ PRET

The Embassy of Sweden is looking to hire a Political and Promotion Officer in the Embassy’s political & economic section.

Sweden and South Africa enjoy a strong relationship and have a long history of bilateral collaborations. The Swedish Government promotes South African-Swedish exchanges through a range of activities, including high-level political engagement, seminars, events and social media campaigns. The Embassy’s overall mandate includes public diplomacy, business and trade promotion, regional development cooperation, and consular services. The Embassy currently employs 33 staff members.

The Embassy’s Political and Economic Section is responsible for reporting related to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho, as well as for the Embassy’s promotional activities and events.

The position is tailored to a responsible, proactive, and diligent team-player, with the ability to multitask and manage time effectively. Administrative work and events experience with a background in social/political science or international relations is preferred. The successful candidate will embrace the Embassy’s core values of equality, tolerance and openness, and enjoy the idea of representing Sweden and Swedish interests.

The right candidate will have strong integrity, be self-motivated with good relationship-building skills, be opportunity-oriented and can take initiatives within set mandates. Excellent command of English is a requirement as duties will include communicating with partners, colleagues within the various sections of the Embassy, foreign missions, and government departments.

Primary responsibilities: 

• Coordinate promotion projects, receptions, meetings and other activities for the section. 
• Monitor and analyse press, media, and reports on developments in South Africa and the region, tentatively with a focus on economic and trade issues.
•  Coordinate, document, and follow up on meetings and contacts with government departments, media, NGO’s, and institutions in Sweden and South Africa, including preparing documents and follow-ups.
•  Coordinate programmes, meetings, travel, and accommodation arrangements for visiting delegations from Sweden. 
• Contact point for the Embassy’s trade promotion outreaches/activities.
• Follow-up and maintain project budgets.

Requirements: 

•  Strong initiative, self-motivation, adaptability and drive 
•  A minimum of 3 years of working experience
• Excellent English in writing (other languages is an advantage)
• Highly developed communication, organizational and project coordination skills
• Highly developed social skills and enthusiasm for teamwork 
• Capacity to build and maintain important networks of contacts and stakeholders
• Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail and efficient administrative skills 
• Minimum bachelor’s degree (NQF 7 or higher) in relevant field (International Relations, Political/Social Sciences, law etc.) 
•  Proven track record of successful projects managed
• Experience in policy and political analysis will be an advantage.
• Prior experience in an Embassy, International Organisation, or Governmental environment is an added advantage 
• Driver’s license
• Applicants who are not South African citizens must hold a valid transferable residence and work permit or have Permanent Residency status in South Africa. 

Applicants must have a clean criminal record. Security clearance from relevant Swedish authorities will have to be obtained based on a South African police clearance. 

Application: 

An application including a motivational letter of no more than one page and a CV of not more than two pages should be sent to the Embassy at recruitment.pretoria@gov.se  no later than 16 January 2026. Preliminary starting date 01 March 2026 or as mutually agreed upon.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications that exceed one page for the motivational letter and two pages for the CV may not be considered. 

Applicants who do not hold a valid transferable residence and work permit or have permanent residency status in South Africa are kindly asked not to apply. Note that only applications in English will be considered; only those who will be invited for an interview will be contacted.

Salary will be based on skills and experience

For more information, you may contact: Ushna Garach, Policy Officer and Project Manager (ushna.garach@gov.se) or Kristian Olsson Selerud, Deputy Head of Mission (kristian.olsson.selerud@gov.se)