Programme Manager for New Socially Engaged Arts Programme

Programme Manager for New Socially Engaged Arts Programme

NEF – Network of European Foundations

Brussels, Belgium

Deadline for applications: 15 September

The Role

The Programme Manager will coordinate the implementation of a new philanthropic collaborative fund supporting socially engaged arts practice across Europe. The pilot phase, running from early 2025 to the end of 2026, will launch a leadership development and capacity-building programme for socially engaged arts organisations and will develop activities focused on advocacy and international collaboration for this field of practice.

In this role, you will support the Programme’s governing Steering Committee in strategic decision-making and you will manage daily operations to ensure the successful implementation of the programme and activities. Your responsibilities will include, among others, coordinating calls for proposals, managing selection processes, supporting advocacy efforts, supporting communication and dissemination, and monitoring project progress and evaluation. Additionally, you will provide necessary administrative and logistical support.

You will also play a key role in fostering synergies among partners of the Programme and will act as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.

This role is a unique opportunity to manage an innovative, new international programme at the heart of European arts philanthropy and advocacy.

You will be employed by NEF, the hosting and legal structure of the Programme, and based at NEF’s office at the Philanthropy House in Brussels. This is a one-year full-time contract with the possibility of renewal.

Background

About the Programme

This is a new funding programme supporting socially engaged arts organisations across Europe with a focus on influencing policy and narratives. The programme will support socially engaged arts organisations with capacity building, funding for international collaboration and professional training to scale local social impact beyond borders. The Programme is initiated and supported by an alliance of philanthropic foundations that work on arts and culture for positive social change.

About NEF

NEF is an international association of leading European foundations dedicated to strengthening philanthropic cooperation. We fund and support civil society in its work for social inclusion, democracy and international development at the European and global level. We aim at better and more strategic collaboration between foundations. NEF is based in Brussels, at the Philanthropy House, and currently hosts 9 philanthropic collaboratives. The Programme is operationalized in collaboration and through a pooled fund hosted by NEF.

Key responsibilities

As Programme Manager, you will oversee operational and contribute to strategic aspects of the Programme. Your role includes:

• Programme management and coordination:
  • Manage overall programme implementation and provide coordination and support to partners, grantees and other stakeholders in the delivery of activities;
  • Be the first point of contact to internal and external stakeholders;
  • Manage grant-making process, including coordinating calls for proposals, selection of grantees, and managing assessment and selection panels;
  • Ensure due diligence, contracting, and payments according to NEF frameworks and audit standards.
• Strategy development:
  • Provide advice to strategy development and bring insights from partners, grantees and other stakeholders;
  • Prepare, facilitate, and follow up on decision-making within the Steering Committee, including coordinating meetings and preparing minutes.
• Advocacy and stakeholder engagement:
  • Support the Steering Committee to build and maintain knowledge of the field;
  • Coordinate advocacy activities and events and support in raising awareness of the programme;
  • Develop relationships with stakeholders including partners, policymakers, professional networks, media, and funders;
  • Support representatives of the Programme in external events and meetings including with policy influencers and decision makers in the field.
• Communications:
  • Be the point of liaison between the communications agency and the Steering Committee;
  • Support the management of the website and social media channels;
  • Compile and monitor mailing lists.
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting:
  • Track the progress of grantees and projects, ensuring that milestones, KPIs, and contractual obligations are met;
  • Support the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework, in coordination with an external evaluator and the Steering Committee;
  • Coordinate and contribute to the evaluation with external evaluators;
  • Coordinate with NEF to produce high-quality annual financial and narrative reporting to donors.
• Budget and contract management:
  • Manage the budget, coordinate planning, budgeting, and financial reporting, and ensure compliance with NEF policies and fund governance;
  • Issue and oversee contracts with external providers and subcontractors, ensuring that contractual obligations are met;
  • Liaise with NEF for financial disbursements and ensure proper recording of fund expenditure and income.
• Administration:
  • Plan and coordinate internal and external meetings and events for grantees, funders, and other partners;
  • Maintain office administration including record keeping and other procedures;
  • Undertake correspondence related to the programme coordination and implementation;
  • Undertake any other administrative duties that can reasonably be expected.

Required Experience, Skills and Knowledge

Required

• At least 3 years of experience in arts project management or grant management within the arts, social, or philanthropic sectors;
• Strong knowledge of the European arts and culture sector, including the policy landscape and key actors and networks at the national and/or European level;
• Exceptional planning, organizational, financial, and budgeting skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and multiple moving parts;
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with sensitivity, diplomacy, and intercultural competence, with the ability to adapt in complex and evolving contexts;
• Strong strategy development and strategic thinking capabilities;
• Experience in supporting communication strategies, including social media and website management;
• Experience working on culturally inclusive projects in the arts and culture sector;
• Proficiency with PC and MS Office applications;
• Excellent written and oral command of English;
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a small team.

Desirable

• Experience with capacity-building, leadership or organisational development programmes;
• Knowledge of the advocacy landscape in the European arts and cultural sector and its intersection with other socially driven policy agendas;
• Working knowledge of other European languages.

Terms

• A one-year, full-time contract (37.5 hours per week) with the possibility of extension;
• Position based in Brussels with offices at the Philanthropy House;
• A monthly gross salary ranging from 3.600€ to 4.100€: annual gross from 50.100€ to 57.000€. This is a Belgian salary range with the 13^th salary and holiday pay;
• Flexibility of working from home up to 2 days per week;
• Additional benefits include homeworking allowance, meal vouchers, extra holidays, enrolment into a pension scheme and hospitalisation insurance;
• Regular travel for meetings and site visits across Europe expected;
• An inclusive work culture that values diversity within a driven team.

Accountability

The role reports to NEF Senior Hub Lead, with a dotted reporting line also to the Chair of the Steering Committee.

Application process

The application deadline is September 15, 2024. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview on 26 or 27 September. The second interview with the final candidate(s) will take place on 3 October at NEF Office (Philanthropy House, Rue Royale 94, 1000 Brussels) on 3 October.

Please upload your CV and a cover letter via the Workable Application Page using the Apply Now button. Applications without a cover letter will be automatically rejected.

NEF is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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