Grants Assistant Coordinator (Eastern Europe)

Position description

The European Endowment for Democracy is urgently looking for a Grants Assistant Coordinator(s) to support its flexible democracy support work. Specifically, EED is looking for support in the administrative and financial management of its grants in Eastern Europe and other countries of EED operations.

The ideal candidate has a keen interest in financial management. At least two years of proven full-time professional experience in civil society-related projects and programmes is required.

The candidates must have full working knowledge of English and Russian. Working knowledge of other languages of the region would be a significant asset.

1. Main functions of the post:

• Supporting the management of EED grants, in close coordination with relevant staff, focusing on ensuring eligibility of costs, monitoring the financial management of the projects and compliance with contract stipulations;
• Providing guidance and assistance to EED grantees regarding the financial management of the grants;
• Preparing financial reports and other documentation for submission to EED donors.

2. Duties and Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will work under the guidance of the relevant Grants Manager(s) and report to the Director of Operations, and shall be responsible for (in addition to the above-mentioned):

• Directly reviewing financial reports from EED grantees (and all related supporting documents/invoices submitted by grantees in local languages) in order to verify eligibility of expenses;
• Assisting in the assessment of budgets of initial proposals for EED grants;
• Drafting contracts and all related contractual documentation;
• Ensuring compliance of grant implementation with EED contractual requirements;
• Ensuring internal grant administrative cycles (e.g. preparing internal memos etc.);
• Liaising with grantees to provide training, assistance and advice regarding the financial management of the grant, including support in preparing requests for addenda regarding changes in activity plans, budget revisions and project extensions;
• Coordinating with EED colleagues and sending consolidated feedback on financial and narrative reports to grantees;
• Collecting, verifying and aggregating data related to substantive, technical and financial implementation related to the different grants;
• Assisting in the preparation of comprehensive financial reports for EED’s donors and ensuring timely submission of such reports (with all required supporting documents), in compliance with contract stipulations;
• Assisting in keeping track of expenditure by financial year; and liaising with relevant colleagues to keep track of funds received from and/or to be reimbursed to donors in each financial year;
• Supporting internal knowledge management and learning;
• Advising grantees on donor regulations;
• Coordinating with EED external consultant(s);
• Carrying out on-site monitoring missions, if required;
• Providing translation of short texts and/or commissioning/coordinating translation of more extensive documentation, as necessary;
• Performing other related tasks as required.

3. Key eligibility and selection criteria:

a. Conditions for eligibility:

• Preferably be a national or having permanent residence permit of one of the EED Member States;
• 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.

b. Essential selection criteria:

Level and type of formal education:

• University degree in Finance or Economics, International Affairs, International Development or related discipline.

Professional experience:

• Demonstrated track record in grant-making (particularly from the administrative and financial perspective), and/or project management and/or audit, financial control;
• At least two years of proven full-time professional experience in grant management ideally within civil society-related projects and programmes;
• Experience in working with democracy-support donors in government and/or international organisations and/or from civil society;
• Experience of working with civil society in the countries of Eastern Europe considered an asset.

Functional competencies:

• Full professional working knowledge of Russian and English (including ability to draft quality reports for donors);
• Working knowledge of other languages of the region would be an asset;
• Ability to verify financial reports (including verification of all supporting documents);
• Ability to liaise with donors;
• Substantive understanding of political issues and trends in the Eastern Neighbourhood as well as EU policies towards the region;
• Solid ICT skills, especially in Microsoft Excel;
• High drive for detail and precision;
• 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.

4. Application:

Please make sure you meet all required qualifications and experience before applying. Applicants must upload a motivation letter (outlining why they apply for this job, max. one standard page), a CV (Europass format required), and contact information for three references via the EED recruitment portal. 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. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications should be submitted no later than 22 September 2024, midnight (Brussels time), given the urgent needs in the region. Interviews will be planned for short-listed candidates. A written test may be organised.

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.

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 is around €4,000 per month plus standard benefits foreseen under Belgian labour law (meal vouchers, 13th month salary etc.), with additional medical insurance.

The successful candidate will be offered a fixed term contract of two years.

Expected starting time at EED: December 2024
Working place: EED Secretariat located in the centre of Brussels, Belgium.

Application instructions

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