Job
Programme Manager (Southern Neighbourhood)

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Organization Name: European Endowment for Democracy (EED)
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Apply email: Not Specified
Start Date: 25 Feb 2021, 04:47 am
Closing Date: 15 Mar 2021, 12:00 am

European Endowment for Democracy

PROGRAMME MANAGER (SOUTHERN NEIGHBOURHOOD)

The European Endowment for Democracy is looking for committed and experienced  Programme Manager to support its flexible democracy support work in Middle East and North Africa. Thorough Knowledge of Arabic is required.

Deadline for applications: 15 March 2021

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 1300 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 Manager, you will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring EED’s programmes in designated countries in the Southern Neighbourhood region (see full job description for details). You will assess applications and provide guidance to applicants, monitor the progress of initiatives supported, 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 Arabic, and of political issues in the Southern Neighbourhood, as well as 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:
Coordinating, administering and monitoring EED’s programmes in the Southern Neighbourhood.
Assessing applications and preparing recommendations for EED funding; providing programmatic guidance to EED applicants and grantees, including assistance with project development;
Engaging in outreach activities in order to identify relevant actors and activities for EED support within the Southern Neighbourhood and other designated countries;
Developing and maintaining relations with the donor community and like-minded organisations throughout the region.
2.             Duties and Responsibilities:

The Programme Manager reports directly to Director of Programmes and shall be responsible for (in addition to the above-mentioned):
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;
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;
Developing programme related documents for assigned countries;
Representing EED at public events;
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;
Monitoring the progress of initiatives supported by EED, with the support of local Country Consultants when relevant, assessing narrative reports, providing support to grantees when relevant and contributing to reports to EED’s donors;
Travelling to the region to monitor existing grantees and identifying new funding opportunities;
Guiding and overseeing the work of local Country Consultants as well as other consultants;
Initiating and facilitating programme-related events;
Liaising with the Communications team in line with the EED communication strategy;
Liaising with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager in line with the EED monitoring and evaluation plan;
Performing other tasks for the Director of Programmes, including involvement in crosscutting issues related to EED’s work.
3.             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;
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 the Southern Neighbourhood 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 Arabic and English
Satisfactory knowledge of other languages relevant to the post would be an asset (in particular 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 the Southern Neighbourhood 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.

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. Please no phone calls/emails/letters.

Applications should be submitted no later than 15 March 2021, 12 midnight (Brussels time). Written online tests are planned for April. 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.

Applications will be subjected to pre-employment screening & vetting, including criminal records check.

Please apply here: https://apply.workable.com/eed/j/08E2BF9485/

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 GROSS salary may range from approximately €6,630 to €6,936 per month depending on experience, plus competitive personal benefits (please note that this is subject to Belgian tax and social security).

Non-Belgian residents and non-Belgian citizens may be eligible for the expatriate tax status under Belgian legislation.

An initial contract of two years will be offered. This contract will be followed by an indefinite contract, subject to satisfactory performance and available funds.

Expected start day at EED: April-May 2021

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