The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a grant-giving organisation that supports civil society actors struggling for democratic change in their countries in the European Neighbourhood. A joint effort of the Member States and European Union institutions, EED is an independent private law foundation with its seat in Brussels.
• Administratively and financially managing, and monitoring EED grants in close coordination with the Programmes team;
• Providing strategic guidance to the funds management from a grants perspective;
• Drafting project proposals and reports for a wide range of EED donors (including EU and public donors).
The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a grant-giving organisation that supports civil society actors struggling for democratic change in their countries in the European Neighbourhood. A joint effort of the Member States and European Union institutions, EED is an independent private law foundation with its seat in Brussels.
EED supports pro-democratic civil society organisations, movements and individual activists acting in favour of a pluralistic multiparty system regardless of their size or formal status. EED also provides assistance to young leaders, independent media and journalists, provided they adhere to core democratic values and human rights, as well as subscribe to principles of non-violence. Women rights organisations and female activists are among the recipients of support and gender perspective is mainstreamed in all EED-funded actions.
Main functions of the post:
• Administratively and financially managing, and monitoring EED grants in close coordination with the Programmes team;
• Providing strategic guidance to the funds management from a grants perspective;
• Drafting project proposals and reports for a wide range of EED donors (including EU and public donors).
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Grants Officer reports directly to the Director of Operations and shall be responsible for (in addition to the above-mentioned):
• Assessing the budget aspect of proposals submitted by applicants for EED support in close cooperation with the Programmes Team;
• Preparing contracts for awarded grants for signature by the Executive Director and the EED grant beneficiary;
• Assessing financial reports and related supporting documents submitted to EED for approval by verifying their compliance with the approved budget and all contractual stipulations;
• Liaising with Programme Officers regarding narrative reports, and sending consolidated feedback on submitted reports to grant beneficiaries;
• Coordinating the work (assignments, deadlines, etc.) of EED external consultants assisting the Grants Team;
• Working with Programme’s staff to assist EED beneficiaries in preparing requests for addenda, including budget revisions;
• Assisting in monitoring budget implementation and developments on grants administration issues;
• Maintaining current records in the online EED Grants Management System and paper files, including grant tracking and reporting;
• Ensuring timely preparation, submission and management of grant proposals and reports for EU, public institutions and other donors’ contributions/grants to the EED;
• Assisting the Director of Operations in negotiating award terms for agreements from EU and other donors and ensuring compliance with award terms and donor regulations;
• Advising staff and beneficiaries on donor regulations and internal EED procedures;
• Assisting pro-democracy actors from the EU Neighbourhood in fundraising from other donors (e.g. by identifying experts to assist them in preparing and submitting grant proposals for EU and other donors);
• Cultivating relationships with important stakeholders in the field;
• Performing other tasks for the Director of Operations as required.
Key eligibility and selection criteria
a. Conditions for eligibility:
- Preferably be a national or having permanent residence permit of 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;
- 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 Economics, International Affairs, Political or Social Science, Law, International Development or related discipline; (or BA degree plus additional relevant work experience)
- Professional experience:
- At least five years of proven full-time professional experience in civil society-related projects and programmes;
- Demonstrated track record in grant-making and/or administering financial and contractual procedures related to project management;
- Experience in working with democracy-support donors in government and/or international organisations and/or from civil society;
- Functional competencies:
- Very good knowledge of grant-making financial and contractual procedures;
- Strong ability to draft and check budgets and financial reports;
- Solid ICT skills, especially in Microsoft Excel;
- Thorough knowledge of English; knowledge of Arabic and / or Russian to the extent necessary for the performance of duties considered an asset;
- High drive for detail and precision;
- Substantive understanding of political issues and trends in the EU Neighbourhood as well as EU policies towards the region;
- Field work experience that includes several years of working in a Neighbourhood country considered an asset;
- Good knowledge of the European Institutions and working mechanisms within the EU considered 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;
- High personal and professional culture;
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
- Readiness for duty travel.
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 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 application documentation (cover letter, CV and reference) as an attachment to email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , with Grants Officer in the subject line. Please no phone calls/emails/letters.
Applications should be submitted no later than 22 June 2017, midnight (Brussels time).Written online tests are planned for July. Only pre-selected candidates will be invited to such tests. Interviews will be planned in Brussels for short-listed candidates following the written 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.