Introduction

About us

The Danish Embassy is part of the Danish Foreign Service. The Embassy handles bilateral relations between Denmark and South Africa. The Embassy also covers 8 other countries in the region. The Embassy employs 40 staff members, is headed by Ambassador Karin Poulsen and comprises - apart from the Economic Diplomacy team - an Operations and Sustainability team, a Strategic Sector Cooperation team, a Political Team and a Consular Team. For more information, please visit https://sydafrika.um.dk.

About the position

The Royal Danish Embassy in Pretoria is looking for a dynamic and results-driven Senior Trade Officer – Water & Industries to join the Embassy's Economic Diplomacy Team (ED).

The Trade Advisor will be working in the Economic Diplomacy Team and report to the Head of Trade at the Embassy. The ED team is responsible for assisting Danish companies on the South African market and attracting private sector investments into South Africa and to some extent the SADC region. Currently the ED team has a strong engagement in food & agriculture, water & environment, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

The successful candidate will play a central role in strengthening commercial cooperation between Denmark and South Africa, with a particular focus on the water, value chain efficiency and industrial sectors. The position combines strategic business development with hands-on project management, supporting Danish companies throughout the entire business development cycle while identifying new market opportunities and facilitating partnerships between Danish providers and manufacturers, and South African public and private sector stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities

Main tasks and responsibilities

As the Senior Trade Officer of Water & Industries, you will be responsible for identifying and developing commercial opportunities for Danish companies operating in South Africa and the wider Southern African region. The position requires strong commercial awareness, excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to independently manage multiple projects from inception to completion. A robust work experience in relevant industries and a good network among South African public and private stakeholders is a strong advantage.

You will have an annual consultancy income target and will be expected to deliver high-quality advisory services to Danish companies while contributing to the Embassy's overall commercial objectives. You are responsible for reaching your targets; namely together with the team to identify market possibilities and projects and secure engagement from Danish companies.

The projects you implement should deliver strong value to involved companies. You will be evaluated on the size and quality of the projects you deliver. Focus will be on creating export possibilities for Danish suppliers of technology and know-how. It is therefore a requirement that your approach to work is structured and that you possess strong skills within sales and services.

Your responsibilities include:  

1. Identifying market opportunities within South African industries that are relevant to Danish companies through active engagement with industry stakeholders and production sectors.
2. Supporting Danish companies throughout the complete business development process, from initial quotation and proposal development through project implementation, invoicing and follow-up.
3. Leading and coordinating municipal reference projects by identifying operational challenges, matching Danish technologies with local needs, facilitating stakeholder engagement and funding opportunities, and overseeing project implementation and monitoring.
4. Conducting market research, analyzing government procurement and tender opportunities, identifying suitable business partners, arranging meeting programs and facilitating engagement with relevant government institutions.
5. Planning and coordinating promotional activities, including trade exhibitions, conferences, workshops, seminars, business delegations and high-level official visits in South Africa and abroad.
6. Preparing sector analyses within priority industries including water, energy, mining, agriculture, manufacturing and city development.
7. Supporting the adoption of Danish technologies within South Africa's municipal water sector by strengthening municipal relationships, facilitating local partnerships and positioning Danish companies for public sector procurement opportunities.
8. Preparing analytical reports on the economic, commercial and investment climate across South Africa and the Southern African region.
9. Planning and implementing inbound visits to Denmark for South African stakeholders to showcase Danish technologies and promote investment and trade opportunities.
10. Undertaking business travel within South Africa and the Southern African region as required.
11. Collaborating closely with Danish Embassies across Sub-Saharan Africa on regional trade initiatives.
12. Working closely with colleagues across all Embassy departments to ensure a coordinated approach to commercial activities.
13. Performing additional duties as assigned by the Head of Trade.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Required qualifications and experience:

• A Master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, International Trade, Commerce, Project Management, Environmental Management, Water Engineering or another relevant discipline.
• Min. 5 years of relevant working experience, i.e. International trade and export promotion, Project management, Consulting or advisory services, Infrastructure, water or energy sectors, Municipal or government engagement, Public procurement or tender management.
• Knowledge of Denmark and Danish companies is an advantage.
• Knowledge about the South African market and its economic development. 
• Willingness to travel abroad and locally - on a potentially frequent basis.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and be able to work independently, efficiently and take initiative.
• Applicants must also be able to work as part of a team, have strong analytical, problem-solving and networking skills, results-orientation, pro-activeness and work well under pressure.
• You must have SA nationality or hold a valid residence and working permit.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Excellent writing ability and verbal communication skills in English.
• The applicant must have a clean criminal record and obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from your residing country; the Danish Ministry will also perform a background check. 

Package & Remuneration

We offer

• An exciting, inter-cultural and dynamic work environment with a wide range of diverse tasks; 
• Great opportunities for further development of your professional and personal competences;
• A large degree of independence;

• An informal workspace, where we care about each other’s well-being.

Employment conditions

• You will be offered a permanent local contract. The contract will be based on the relevant legally binding labor market rules of South Africa.
• 3-month probation period.
• Your standard working hours will be 37 hours per week.
• You will be entitled to 25 working days of paid holiday per full calendar year.
• You will receive a competitive base salary. Additional allowances might be agreed based on your qualifications, relevant experience and proven work-related results in accordance with the Danish Embassy’s salary policy.
• As part of your salary, you will be covered by health insurance covering standard level sickness expenses with the Embassy paying 80% of the insurance premium including a shared UIF contribution and a 5% private pension contribution.

Interested?

Application and recruitment process

To apply for the position, please submit your application (motivational letter, CV, proof of relevant education, recommendations and 2-3 references) via www.PNET.co.za no later August 28, 2026.  

The Embassy attaches great importance to equal opportunities for all and therefore welcomes applications from all qualified persons regardless of race, sex, religion, age or disability.

Selected candidates will be invited for interviews that are expected to take place in early/mid-September. Only candidates called for interview can expect to receive a reply to their application.

Questions

For any questions regarding the position, please contact Jacobus Senekal at: jacsen@um.dk with Ambassador Karin Poulsen cc. via her PA purjar@um.dk.