Head of Country and Bilateral Cooperation Unit – VA 26/2024

Head of Country and Bilateral Cooperation Unit – VA 26/2024

EFTA – European Free Trade Association

Brussels, Belgium

Are you a dynamic and highly motivated professional looking to make a positive impact in Europe? Join our team as the new Head of Country and Bilateral Cooperation Unit at the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) in Brussels.

About us

The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) – affiliated with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – carries out the day-to-day management of the EEA and Norway Grants. The Grants are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein’s contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and strengthen bilateral relations and partnerships between the Donor States and the 15 Beneficiary States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia). Norway provides around 97% of the Grants and Iceland and Liechtenstein the rest.

We are now entering a new funding period with a budget of 3.2 billion euros. At the same time, we are closing the current funding period with a budget of 2.8 billion euros.

The programmes in the new funding period will focus on these overall priorities:

• European green transition;
• Democracy, rule of law and human rights;
• Social inclusion and resilience.

Why join the FMO?

At the FMO, we offer more than just a job – we offer a stimulating and diverse international workplace with a trust-based culture. Our team of more than 50 employees coming from the EEA region, bring a rich blend of experiences and knowledge to our daily operations. We work closely with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Donor States (Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway), the 15 Beneficiary States and various international partners. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful environment where you can advance your career and contribute to meaningful results that make a difference.

Learn more:

If you’re ready to take on a rewarding challenge and be part of a dedicated team working towards improving economic and social progress and strengthening cooperation and partnerships in Europe, we encourage you to apply.

This position is open only to nationals of the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). For more details about our work and the opportunities we offer, please visit our website at www.eeagrants.org.

Division: Financial Mechanism Office
Category/Level: Grade A5
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed-term three years (renewable once if in the interest of the FMO)
Start Date: As soon as possible
Job Reference: VA 26/2024

Scope

As the Head of the Country and Bilateral Cooperation Unit you will coordinate the work of the Country and Bilateral Officers, currently 10 employees. The Unit is the primary point of contact for National Focal Points in the Beneficiary States and works closely with the Donor states and their embassies in the Beneficiary States. With the start-up of a new financial period a key task for the Unit will be to support the Donor States during negotiations of framework agreements with the Beneficiary States and their subsequent implementation. You will report directly to the Managing Director of the FMO and be part of the FMO’s management group. Entering a new financial period, organisational development and streamlining of processes and procedures will be on the agenda to secure efficient management of the Grants.

Tasks

• Leadership of the Country and Bilateral Cooperation Unit: You will provide direction for the work of the Unit and its collaboration with other units in the FMO. You will inspire and motivate staff to enhance their performance and achieve results. Defining priorities and allocating tasks efficiently within the Unit will be essential to manage the workload and ensure smooth operations of the organisation as a whole;
• Overall management and organisational development: You contribute to the broader management and organisational development of the FMO. This includes shaping policies, streamlining processes, and ensuring effective functioning of the organisation;
• Manage relations with Donor and Beneficiary States: Acting as a bridge between the Donor and Beneficiary States, you will contribute to good communication and understanding both of Donor State policies and priorities in the Beneficiary States as well as Beneficiary States needs, challenges and priorities. Regular contact and building trust will be essential for success;
• Risk management and situation analysis: The EEA and Norway Grants are based on risk and result management. Assessing risks in the Beneficiary States is a crucial part of this. You will contribute to overall risk management and based on your understanding of the development in the Beneficiary States. Drawing on your expertise, you will offer advice that facilitates decision-making at both the FMO and Donor levels;
• Effective communication: Internally and externally, clear communication within your area of responsibility is vital;
• Additional responsibilities: Beyond the listed tasks, you will handle any other duties as required, adapting to the dynamic needs of the role and the needs of FMO.

Qualifications

A Master’s-level university degree in a relevant field.

Experience

Required Experience:

• A minimum of nine years of relevant work experience, including leadership positions;
• Previous work experience in an international environment;
• Previous work experience in Central and Southern European countries in the relevant context;
• Experience in managing programs, projects and/or grants.

Desired Experience:

• Donor State Public Administration work experience;
• Knowledge of EU policies and institutions relevant to the Grants gained through prior work experience;
• Experience in leading teams through change and challenges.

Skills

• Ability to provide operational leadership and foster a positive work environment;
• Competence in issues related to organisational development and policy development;
• Strong interpersonal abilities with pragmatic and result-oriented attitude;
• Inter-cultural understanding and knowledge about the cultural and political context of the Beneficiary States;
• Knowledge about the Donor States’ foreign policies;
• Diplomatic skills with sound judgment during negotiations;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.

The ideal candidate embodies a blend of leadership, analytical, and interpersonal skills, contributing to the success of the FMO’s mission.

Languages

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (the working language of the FMO) and one of the Donor State languages are required.

Employment terms

Grade: A5
Annual starting salary: EUR 123.576

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.

Salaries and related payments are normally exempt from taxation by the EFTA Member States and, as regulated in EFTA’s headquarters agreement in Belgium. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply.

The FMO is an employer dedicated to the principles of diversity and equality. We are committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, with a healthy work-life balance.

For further information on this post, please contact: FMO Managing Director, Ms Ragna Fidjestøl, [email protected] or +32 (0)2 211 18 80. For information regarding recruitment process please contact Ms Vera Medinskaya, Head of Administration and HR Unit, [email protected] or +32 (0)2 211 18 60.

Please note that only applications received via our web tool will be considered.

Deadline for submission of application: 18 August 2024.

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