Civil Society Fund Transnational Officer position

Liechtenstein Business; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) in Brussels invites applications for the Civil Society Fund Transnational Officer. The role combines fund management with policy and programme expertise to advance the CSF-TN at European level.

You will represent FMO externally and coordinate with donor states and beneficiaries. Qualified candidates hold a Master’s degree, with at least six years of relevant experience and a proven track record in grant management.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in grant management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee grant lifecycle management and monitor progress across the portfolio.
• Coordinate with legal, finance and management teams to ensure sound financial management.
• Align CSF-TN initiatives with EEA and Norway Grants objectives.
• Engage with European networks, civil society organisations, think tanks and partners.
• Prepare briefing notes and strategic analyses for Donor engagement.
• Represent the FMO in meetings and travel as required.

Skills

Grant management

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Civil Society Fund Transnational Officer, EWR-Finanzmittel

Sind Sie energiegeladen, engagiert und wirklich daran interessiert, etwas Grösseres in Europa mitzugestalten? Dann sind Sie vielleicht unsere neue oder unser neuer Civil Society Fund Transnational Officer im Financial Mechanism Office (FMO), dem internationalen Sekretariat, das die EWR-Finanzmittel hier in Brüssel verwaltet.

Wir bieten einen anregenden und vielfältigen Arbeitsplatz, der auf gegenseitigem Vertrauen unter den Mitarbeitenden beruht. Unser Team besteht aus über 60 Mitarbeitenden aus dem gesamten EWR-Raum, was uns täglich eine wertvolle Bandbreite an Erfahrung und Wissen einbringt.

Jeden Tag lässt uns ein gemeinsames Ziel antreiben: ein grünes, demokratisches und starkes Europa, in dem alle die gleichen Chancen haben.

Sind Sie bereit für eine Aufgabe, die etwas bewirkt – in einem Team, das sich für den Abbau wirtschaftlicher und sozialer Unterschiede sowie die Stärkung der bilateralen Zusammenarbeit in Europa einsetzt? Dann freuen wir uns auf Ihre Bewerbung.

Are you a dynamic and highly motivated professional looking to make a positive impact in Europe? Join our team in the Civil Society Fund at the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) in Brussels to work on strengthening a vibrant and resilient civil society protecting democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

You will be responsible for the new component called “Civil Society Fund -Transnational (CSF-TN)” working at European level.

The position is open to nationals of the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and to the nationals of the Beneficiary States of EEA and Norway Grants (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia).

About us:

The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) – affiliated with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – is the international secretariat carrying out the day-to-day management of the EEA and Norway Grants. The Grants are Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway’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, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia). The EEA Grants are financed by the three donor countries whereas Norway Grants are financed solely by Norway. The current funding period has a total budget of 3.2 billion euros.

The programmes in this 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?

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 60 employees from the EEA region brings a rich blend of experiences and knowledge to our daily operations.

We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful environment where you can advance your career. Every day, our work is driven by a shared goal: a green, democratic and resilient Europe where everyone can take a meaningful part in shaping their lives.

We work closely with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), the 15 Beneficiary States and various international partners.

Learn more:

For more details about our work and the opportunities we offer, please visit our website at www.eeagrants.org.

Scope:

You will be part of the Civil Society Team within the Funds and Horizontal Concerns Unit, reporting to the Unit’s Head. The Civil Society Fund Transnational (CSF-TN) is a newly established instrument which aims at strengthening capacity, cooperation, and resilience of institutions and civil society to protect and promote democracy, the rule of law, and human rights at European level. The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) acts as the Fund Operator on behalf of the Donors.

The thematic focus of the CSF-TN is civic space and civil society engagement; information integrity and disinformation; and competence and knowledge development for democratic resilience.

The CSF-TN Officer is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the fund. The position combines operational fund management responsibilities with coordination of policy and programme content expertise to ensure that CSF-TN initiatives are aligned with the objectives of the EEA and Norway Grants.

The position will involve external representation and engagement with relevant stakeholders; travel will be required.

You may be required to work in other areas, according to the needs and priorities of the FMO.

Main Responsibilities and tasks:

Administration and compliance:

As Fund Operator, the FMO is responsible for the technical, administrative and financial management of the CSF-TN. The CSF-TN Officer will:

• Manage the full grant lifecycle. Follow up grant agreements, work plans and reporting requirements, organise annual meetings and monitor implementation progress, risks, budgets and results across the portfolio.
• Coordinate closely with legal, finance and management colleagues to ensure sound financial management, and compliance with applicable regulations, Donor requirements and principles of accountability and transparency.

Coordination of the CSF-TN portfolio:

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee the CSF-TN portfolio, ensuring its effective implementation and alignment with EEA and Norway Grants objectives, following Donor priorities and Senior Management guidance.
• Facilitate synergies between the CSF-TN, initiatives implemented by the International Partners Organisations, Civil Society Funds and other relevant EEA and Norway Grants initiatives.
• Analyse trends, risks and opportunities on the thematic focus of the CSF-TN.
• Assess the relevance and added value of proposed initiatives in cooperation with relevant FMO colleagues.
• Support Donor engagement through briefing notes and strategic analysis.
• Represent the FMO in meetings with European networks, civil society organisations, think tanks, foundations and international partners.

Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Required Experience:

• At least 6 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in grant management