Programme Officer at EED – European Endowment for Democracy

The European Endowment for Democracy is looking for a committed and experienced Programme Officer

to join its Secretariat in March 2018.

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Deadline for applications: 3^rd January 2018

1-year contract renewable depending on performance and funds

Thorough knowledge of Turkish language required

The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is an independent, grant-making organisation, established in 2013 by the European Union (EU) and EU member states to foster democracy in the countries of the European Neighbourhood and beyond.

Since its inception, EED has provided over 500 grants and evolved into a vibrant, innovative and respected member of the democracy support community. EED funds a vast array of pro-democracy actors including human rights and political activists, pro-democratic movements, civil society organisations, independent journalists and media.

This is a great opportunity to join EED in a challenging and varied role. As Programme Officer, you will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring EED’s programmes in Turkey and additional designated countries (see full job description for details). You will assess applications and provide guidance to applicants, engage in outreach activities, monitor political developments in the assigned countries, and develop relations with the donor community.

Applicants should have a thorough knowledge of the Turkish language and of political issues in Turkey, and at least five years of proven full-time professional experience in democracy-related projects and programmes in government, international organisations or civil society.

Reporting directly to the Director of Programmes, the position consists of:

1.       Main functions of the post:

a) Coordinating, administering and monitoring EED’s programmes in Turkey and additional designated countries within the “neighbours of the neighbours”[1] and/or the EU Southern Neighbourhood and serving as an expert for the assigned countries;

b) Assessing applications and preparing recommendations for EED funding; providing  programmatic guidance to EED applicants and grantees, including assistance with project development;

c) Engaging in outreach activities in order to identify relevant actors and activities for EED support within Turkey and other designated countries;

d) Developing and maintaining relations with the donor community and like-minded organisations throughout the region.

2.       Duties and Responsibilities:

The Programme Officer reports directly to Director of Programmes and shall be responsible for (in addition to the above-mentioned):

a) Monitoring political developments in the assigned countries to inform EED strategies and programming, following developments and assessing the potential impact on the political and civil society environment;

b) Liaising with relevant activists in media, human rights, rule of law, conflict resolution, civic education to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field and to guide EED interventions;

c) Developing programme related documents for assigned countries;

d) Representing EED at public events;

e) Assessing incoming applications and , conducting thorough background checks, identifying the EED added value, communicating with applicants during the review process, providing coaching when needed, and preparing recommendations for funding approval by the EED Executive Committee;

f) Monitoring the progress of initiatives supported by EED, with the support of local Country Consultants when relevant, assessing narrative reports and providing support to grantees when relevant;

g) Travelling to the region to monitor existing grantees and identifying new funding opportunities;

h) Guiding and overseeing the work of local Country Consultants as well as other consultants;

i) Initiating and facilitating programme-related events;

j) Liaising with the Communications team in line with the EED communication strategy;

k) Liaising with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager in line with the EED monitoring and evaluation plan;

l) Performing other tasks for the Director of Programmes.

3.         Key eligibility and selection criteria 

a. Conditions for eligibility:

• preferably be a national or having permanent residence permitof one of the EU/EEA countries or Switzerland;
• be entitled to his/her full rights as a citizen;
• have completed any obligations imposed on him/her by the laws concerning military service;
• produces the appropriate character references as to his/her suitability for the performance of his/her duties;
• be physically fit to perform his/her duties;
• hold, or be in a position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (national or EU PSC at CONFIDENTIAL and/or EU SECRET level).
  

b. Essential selection criteria

Level and type of formal education:

• master’s degree in International Affairs, Political or Social Science, Law, International Development or related discipline;          

Professional experience:

• at least five years of proven full-time professional experience in democracy-related projects and programmes in government or international organisations or civil society; at least three years proven experience in the international environment would be an asset;
• substantive understanding of political issues and trends in Turkey, the EU Southern Neighbourhood (and its neighbours) as well as EU policies towards the region;
• working experience in democracy-related projects and programmes in government or international organisations or from the civil society;

Functional competencies:

• thorough knowledge of Turkish language
• satisfactory knowledge of other languages relevant to the post would be a significant asset (in particular Arabic, Persian and French).
• good knowledge of grant-making and democracy support procedures;
• good knowledge of the European Institutions and working mechanisms within the EU;
• field work experience that includes several years of working in Turkey or Middle East/North Africa would be an asset;
• ability to keep full confidentiality about all assigned tasks and related documentation as well as capacity to exercise confidentiality, discretion and tact when dealing with diverse groups of people;
• high degree of communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills;
• ability to develop strong working relationships internally and externally at all levels;
• thorough understanding of social media, its purpose and exploitation;
• solid ICT skills;
• high personal and professional culture;
• ability to work in a multi-ethnic and multi-national environment;
• readiness for frequent duty travel;
• provide at least three (3) references as to the suitability for the performance of duties.

4. Application

Please make sure you meet all required qualifications and experience before applying. Applicants must upload a cover letter, a CV in the Europass format, and contact information for three (3) references via the EED website.

Failure to submit these three documents shall result in the exclusion of the applicant concerned from the selection procedure.

Applications should be made online using “apply” panel on this page. After successfully submitting your application you will receive an automatic email confirming receipt of your application. In addition, please send a copy of your CV as an attachment to email address:vacancies@democracyendowment.eu, with reference number and Programme Officer South in the subject line. Please no phone calls/emails/letters.

Applications should be submitted no later than 3 January 2018, 12 midnight (Brussels time). Written online tests are planned for January. Only pre-selected candidates will be invited to the online test.

The applications will not be returned to candidates but will be kept on file by the EED. The information provided in the applications is subject to EU legislation on protection of personal data and confidentiality of information.

5. Terms of contract

EED is not an international organisation or EU institution and its employment contracts are fully based on Belgian Employment Law.

Indicative NET salary may range from approximately €3,100 to €3,500 per month depending on experience and individual circumstances, plus competitive personal benefits (subject to Belgian tax and social security).

An initial contract of one year will be offered, followed by a one-year renewal subject to satisfactory performance and available funds. This contract will be followed by an indefinite contract, subject to satisfactory performance and available funds.

Expected start day at EED: 1 March 2018

Working place: EED Secretariat located in the centre of Brussels, Belgium.

[1] Bahrain, Chad, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Read more and apply here.