Programme Officer - Brussels

Context

International IDEA has a mandate to support democracy worldwide. Since its establishment in 1995, the Institute has sought to fulfil this mandate by incrementally expanding its geographic footprint. Increasing demand for the Institute´s support in countries in Europe, coupled with key developments that have highlighted the weakness of democratic institutions in some European countries, has motivated the Institute to establish a Regional Europe Programme (REP).

The REP has a strategic objective to support democracy in Europe, with an emphasis on Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. This focus is described in detail in both the 2016 WEP Programme Strategy Document, and the International IDEA Institutional Strategy 2018-2022. The other component of REP is to function as the main liaison of International IDEA to the EU Institutions in Brussels.

International IDEA is currently looking to invest in fundraising and project implementation efforts in the Western Balkans, and Eastern Europe. In so doing, the Institute will expand its network among partner organizations and donors in the region. It will need to produce high quality funding proposals and implement state of the art democracy assistance projects. To this end, it seeks to recruit a Programme Officer with ample experience in democracy assistance project development, fundraising and project implementation in especially the Western Balkans.

The PO will report to the Head of Programme providing insight on local developments and ensuring high quality programme development and delivery in the Western Balkans. He/she will be responsible for supporting the intensification of project fundraising and delivery in this region. As such, the PO will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Europe Programme’s activities in the Western Balkans.

The PO will support the execution of program delivery and budget; maintain donor relations; conduct monitoring and reporting; and seek opportunities for innovative program design and fundraising. The PO will provide support to consortium partners on aspects of programming and meeting donor requirements as well as advocating on behalf of partners to donors. The position includes a strong regional element, with a focus on providing advice and inputs related to political participation in the Western Balkans, and where needed include other sub-regions, such as Eastern and Central Europe.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the design and implementation of projects and activities for the Regional Europe Programme, with emphasis on the Western Balkans, and Eastern Europe;
• Coordinates International IDEA´s programmatic activities in Europe with other IDEA staff;
• Identifies potential sources of funding and relevant partnerships, and supports the development of funding proposals, in close collaboration with relevant thematic programme teams;
• Develops and institutionalizes partnerships with key stakeholders in the region, such as electoral commissions, constitutional review bodies, think tanks, academia and civil society organizations region for the advancement of International IDEA's institutional objectives;
• Regularly monitors and reports on important political and socio-economic developments in the region to inform ongoing programme design and future potential programmatic interventions;
• Liaises with respective multilateral and bilateral democracy assistance actors active in the region, in order to identify and coordinates initiatives and ensure International IDEA’s visibility; 
• Undertakes representational functions as delegated by the line manager;
• Produces regular update reports on trends in democratization in Europe, especially the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe, in close collaboration with thematic leads;
• With the support of the Budget & Programme Performance Unit, monitors and evaluates the reach and impact of International IDEA's work in the region;

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge of democratic development, acquired through academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience in their field;
• Will contribute significantly to assigned projects all along the project life cycle, i.e. from project design and funding to project assessment; will lead meetings and discussions, supervise publications and review input from external providers;
• Has contributed to publications on their relevant subject; is recognized as a knowledge resource in his/her broad professional community;
• Can work with minimal guidance and supervision;
• Adds value to team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model or mentor for less experienced colleagues;
• Can be expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities.

Reporting Line

• Head of Regional Europe Programme.

Programmatic Knowledge

• Has in-depth knowledge and extensive work experience in democracy assistance in multiple countries in the Western Balkans, combined with a good understanding of related disciplines in order to approach activities in a holistic manner.

Operational Knowledge, skills and experience

• Integrates a results-based approach into the design, management and evaluation of all his/her programmatic activities;
• Has thorough understanding of relevant programmatic issues in primarily the Western Balkans, and Eastern Europe. This may include support to constitution building, political participation and representation, and electoral assistance;
• Is active in the search for information on donors and partners, preparation of reports and project briefs, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, and all other activities related to resource mobilization and partnership building;
• Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management.

Leadership

• No people management responsibility over permanent staff;
• Acts as a model and resource for more junior colleagues;
• May assume project management responsibilities.

Problem Solving

• Identifies and resolves complex problems; approaches issues with new perspectives; analyses situations from a multitude of intervening factors.

Impact

• Has a clear impact on programme development and delivery;
• Can also impact other teams and projects in related fields.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Liaises to all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her project; acts and is perceived as an initiator of relevant communication to solve issues;
• Drives projects and assignments through communicative personal energy and engagement;
• Can explain sensitive information with diplomacy, and build consensus;
• Is able to present his/her activities and represent International IDEA effectively in all professional circles.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required. Fluency in a widely spoken language in the Western Balkans is highly advantageous.

Education and Experience

• University degree in political science, law, international relations, public administration or other related discipline; 
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in one of International IDEAs key impact areas (Constitution Building, Political Participation and Representation or Electoral Process, including in a national and local context in multiple countries in Eastern Europe or Western Balkans;
• Proven resource mobilization experience is essential;
• Demonstrated experience in report writing and reporting under an RBM system;
• Demonstrated experience in conceptualization, formulation and management of project activities;
• Experience working for an international democracy assistance organization is essential
• Experience working with the EU desirable.

Terms of Contract:

Contract duration: Two (2) year fixed term appointment.

Competitive salary + benefits

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 11 March 2020. Please note that all applications must be made in English.
• You may apply directly by pressing the Send Application button.

International IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.