Sector Officer - Civil Society

EEA and Norway Grants; Brussel Hoofdstad; Hybride; EUR 110 000 - 125 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The Financial Mechanism Office, associated with the EFTA, seeks a Sector Officer for Civil Society and Programme Manager work. You will lead interdisciplinary teams, manage Civil Society Fund programmes in Beneficiary States, and liaise with Fund Operators and donors to advance democracy, human rights and social inclusion across Europe.

The role requires strong grant management experience, knowledge of European policies, and the ability to work across multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of relevant professional experience, including five years in grant, programme and/or project management.
• Experience with oversight, monitoring and capacity building.
• Knowledge of European policies, initiatives and developments relevant to civil society.
• Strong interpersonal skills with cultural sensitivity and a flexible, pragmatic and result-oriented attitude.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage parallel processes and deadlines.
• Knowledge of the Nordic tripartite cooperation model (employers, employees and public authorities).

Responsabilités

• Oversee and manage a portfolio of Civil Society Fund programmes in the Beneficiary States, supporting their development and implementation and leading programme teams within the FMO.
• Maintain regular communication with Fund Operators and other programme stakeholders, ensuring effective cooperation and timely resolution of issues.
• Compile, analyse and communicate programme results, lessons learned and emerging trends.
• Monitor trends, challenges and opportunities related to civil society across Europe and provide strategic advice to the Donor States.
• Contribute to policy discussions and initiatives related to civil society at European level.
• Promote cooperation between civil society organisations, Donor State entities and international partners.
• Engage with Donors on programme development, implementation, results and strategic priorities related to civil society.

Connaissances

Grant management

Programme management

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Cultural sensitivity

Result-oriented

Formation

Master’s degree in relevant field

Description du poste

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:

• 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 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.

The position is open to nationals of EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway).

Scope:

The Civil Society Fund supports an independent, vibrant, and resilient civil society as a cornerstone of democracy, rule of law and human rights, representing 10% of the total allocation of the EEA and Norway Grants. Through grant-making, capacity building, advocacy and civic participation initiatives, the Civil Society Fund contributes to strengthening civic space, promoting citizen engagement, supporting groups marginalised by society, and enhancing the capacity and sustainability of civil society organisations.

For the Financial Mechanisms 2021-2028, the Civil Society Fund is managed by the Donor States, and the FMO acts as Programme Operator. Each of the national allocations of the Civil Society Fund are implemented by independent Fund Operators (a consortium of civil society organisations) selected through open calls.

You will manage a portfolio of Civil Society Fund programmes in selected Beneficiary States, supporting their development and implementation and serving as the primary point of contact for the Fund Operators in these countries. As programme manager, you will lead interdisciplinary programme teams within the FMO, working closely with colleagues responsible for legal, financial, results, communication and country-related matters.

You will also contribute to the FMO’s strategic and policy-related work on civil society, including engagement with European and international stakeholders, monitoring developments affecting civil society across Europe, and supporting the implementation of donor priorities related to democracy, rule of law, civic participation, civic space and human rights.

In addition, you will manage the Fund for Social Dialogue and Decent Work. This Fund is one of the instruments of the Norway Grants and supports stronger cooperation between employers, employees and public authorities to promote decent work, inclusive labour markets, gender equality, lifelong learning and fair working conditions, contributing to social inclusion and resilient societies. Key responsibilities will include contributing to the development and implementation of the Fund and acting as the primary contact point for the independent Fund Operator, with the support of a dedicated interdisciplinary team within the FMO.

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

The position involves travel.

You will report to the Head of the Funds and Horizontal Concerns Unit.

Responsibilities and tasks:

As a Sector Officer for Civil Society and programme manager for a selection of Civil Society Fund programmes, your role will generally include:

• Programme management: Oversee and manage a portfolio of Civil Society Fund programmes in the Beneficiary States, supporting their development and implementation and leading and coordinating programme teams within the FMO.
• Primary liaison with Fund Operators: Maintain regular communication with relevant Fund Operators and other programme stakeholders, ensuring effective cooperation and timely resolution of any issues.
• Communication of priorities and results: Compile, analyse and communicate programme results, lessons learned and emerging trends.
• Monitoring developments affecting civil society: Monitor trends, challenges and opportunities related to civil society, civic space, citizen participation, democracy, rule of law and human rights across Europe and provide strategic advice to the Donor States.
• Policy development and stakeholder engagement: Contribute to policy discussions and initiatives related to civil society at European level, including engagement with EU institutions, international organisations, donor state actors, bilateral relations and civil society networks.
• Supporting strategic cooperation and partnerships: Promote cooperation between civil society organisations, Donor State entities and international partners.
• Engaging with Donors: Contribute to dialogue with Donors on programme development, implementation, results and strategic priorities related to civil society.

As a Sector Officer in charge of the Fund for Social Dialogue and Decent Work, your role will include:

• Monitoring Fund implementation, results, budgets, and reporting.
• Acting as the main liaison with the Fund Operator, social partners, and donor stakeholders.
• Supporting governance meetings and stakeholder engagement.
• Contributing to risk management, compliance, evaluations, and visibility activities.
• Facilitating knowledge-sharing and the exchange of good practices across beneficiary states.

Qualifications:

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

Essential experience and skills:

• A minimum of six years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of five years of experience in grant, programme and/or project management.
• Demonstrated experience in working with organisations responsible for the implementation of programmes, including oversight, monitoring and capacity building.
• Proven experience with grant, programme and/or project management, such as monitoring progress, assessing risks, ensuring results-based management and preparing reports.
• Demonstrated knowledge of European policies, initiatives and developments relevant to the civil society sector.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills with cultural sensitivity and a flexible, pragmatic and result-oriented attitude, including the ability to identify operational challenges and propose actionable solutions.
• Strong organisational skills with an ability to work proactively and manage parallel processes and deadlines.
• Knowledge of the Nordic tripartite cooperation model (employers, employees and public authorities).

Desirable experience and skills:

• Strong strategic and analytical skills, including ability to work across programmes or projects to communicate results.
• Knowledge of the Donors States’ and/or Beneficiary States’ policies and priorities in civil society.
• Knowledge of governance models and multi-stakeholder engagement approaches in the Donor States, including cooperation between public authorities, social partners and civil society organisations.
• Understanding of the EEA and Norway Grants framework.

A great work environment and strong teamwork define the FMO, and we look for candidates who actively contribute to both.

Languages:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, the working language of the FMO, is an essential requirement.
• Good oral and written communication skills in one of the official languages of the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) is an added value.

Employment Terms:

Duration of appointment: This is a fixed-term contract for three years. The contract is renewable once, subject to the renewal being in the interest of the FMO and to a decision on the new funding period following the current Financial Mechanisms.

Start date: As soon as possible

Grade: A4

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

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. FMO offers hybrid working model for its staff. Subject to the requirements of the role, operational needs, and in agreement with their line manager, staff may work up to 40% of their weekly working hours from a location other than the office according to the current policy. The duty station for all FMO staff is Brussels, Belgium.

We offer stimulating and meaningful work in a diverse international environment, with the opportunity to collaborate with highly skilled professionals from across Europe. Salaries and related emoluments are exempt from taxation in the EFTA Member States and EFTA host states. Depending on family status, and individual circumstances, additional benefits and allowances may apply.

Candidates should carefully consider their individual tax circumstances. This is particularly important where personal circumstances may give rise to tax obligations in countries other than the EFTA Member States or the EFTA host states.

Deadline for submission of applications: Wednesday 23 September 2026 (midnight CEST)

Division: The EEA and Norway Grants
Locations: Brussels
Yearly salary: €117,072
Employment type: Full-time
Salary range: Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The Managing Director of the FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.
Job reference: VA 28/2026
Start date: As soon as possible
Closing date: 23 September, 2026

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 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 of 2021-2028 has a total budget of 3.2 billion euros.