Country Consultant for Kosovo

The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a grant-making organisation which has been established by the European Union Member States, and the European Union institutions to foster and encourage democratisation and deep and sustainable democracy. EED has been established as an independent private law foundation with its seat in Brussels.

**EED is looking for a part-time local consultant based in Kosovo to enhance the in-country support mechanism for its operations in the country, initially for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.**

The consultant will be selected on the basis of their reputation and experience, their knowledge and understanding of political developments in the country, and the scope of their network (including registered and unregistered civil society and activist groups and individuals, alternative media outlets, etc.).

The consultant could belong to a CSO or other form of group but would not qualify to receive EED support during the period in which they will be carrying out services to the Secretariat. This limitation applies both to requests submitted at the individual level and on behalf of the organisation or group the consultant belongs to.

**Duties**
- Support Grant proposals assessments and processing: EED will be accepting grant requests in Albanian and English. The consultant will be requested to contribute to the assessment of those requests, including content assessment and information verification among others. Likewise, the consultant may be requested to coach applicants following initial requests for support, to help them refine their proposals to be considered for EED support.
- Knowledge consultancy: EED seeks to be complementary to other donors, especially to existing EU instruments. In order to guarantee its added value, it will thus request information regarding any existing initiatives that could potentially overlap with the activities it is considering funding. The consultant may be asked to maintain contact with the donor community and provide EED updates on donor activities in Kosovo.
- EED will further require analysis of the evolving political and security situation and its impact on democracy support and democratisation efforts. The consultant will elaborate reports and updates that would provide such an analysis and focus on the consequences for EED support and activities EED is supporting in the country.
- Monitoring and Technical Assistance: The EED country consultant will, in coordination with EED, follow up on and support actors that EED is supporting in Kosovo. This would include providing regular feedback and assessment of the progress of EED supported initiatives. As grants are disbursed and activities initiated, EED may also request the EED country consultant to provide the beneficiaries with technical assistance within the scope of their expertise, if needed and appropriate.
- Logistical support: Security conditions permitting, the EED country consultant may be asked to provide logístical support for the visits organized by EED to Kosovo. This could include setting up meetings or other logístical support.
- Outreach: The EED country consultant will be requested to identify/approach actors whose work could be considered relevant to EED’s mandate. This would be done in close coordination with the Programme team and taking into account security conditions.
- Financial and narrative reports: The consultant may be requested to assist in the assessment of financial and narrative reports submitted to EED by grant beneficiaries.
- Communication and reporting

The consultant will work under the direct guidance of the EED Programme Manager and under the general supervision of the EED Director of Programmes.

**Requirements**:

- relevant professional experience, such as working with civil society and media;
- thorough knowledge of Albanian and English; knowledge of Serbian is desirable
- ability to keep full confidentiality about all assigned tasks and related documentation as well as able to exercise confidentiality, discretion and tact when dealing with diverse groups of people;
- ability to develop strong working relationships internally and externally;
- high personal and professional standards;
- ability to work in a multicultural environment;
- references as to the suitability for the performance of duties.

An initial consultancy contract shall be concluded for a period of one year, and with a possibility of extension.

The consultancy contract fee rate shall be based on a competitive local salary depending on level of experience where the consultant will receive a fee per day worked (flexible arrangement depending on workload, expected up to around eight days per month).

**Application Process**
- This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence