Grants Assistant Coordinator

The European Endowment for Democracy is urgently looking for a Grants Assistant Coordinator(s) to support its flexible democracy support work. Specifically, EED is looking for support in the administrative and financial management of its grants in Eastern Europe and other countries of EED operations.

The ideal candidate has a keen interest in financial management. At least two years of proven full-time professional experience in civil society-related projects and programmes is required.

The candidates must have full working knowledge of English and Russian. Working knowledge of other languages of the region would be a significant asset.

Main functions of the post:

•Supporting the management of EED grants, in close coordination with relevant staff, focusing on ensuring eligibility of costs, monitoring the financial management of the projects and compliance with contract stipulations;

•Providing guidance and assistance to EED grantees regarding the financial management of the grants;

•Preparing financial reports and other documentation for submission to EED donors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will work under the guidance of the relevant Grants Manager(s) and report to the Director of Operations, and shall be responsible for (in addition to the above-mentioned):

•Directly reviewing financial reports from EED grantees (and all related supporting documents/invoices submitted by grantees in local languages) in order to verify eligibility of expenses;

•Assisting in the assessment of budgets of initial proposals for EED grants;

•Drafting contracts and all related contractual documentation;

•Ensuring compliance of grant implementation with EED contractual requirements;

•Ensuring internal grant administrative cycles (e.g. preparing internal memos etc.);

•Liaising with grantees to provide training, assistance and advice regarding the financial management of the grant, including support in preparing requests for addenda regarding changes in activity plans, budget revisions and project extensions;

•Coordinating with EED colleagues and sending consolidated feedback on financial and narrative reports to grantees;

•Collecting, verifying and aggregating data related to substantive, technical and financial implementation related to the different grants;

•Assisting in the preparation of comprehensive financial reports for EED’s donors and ensuring timely submission of such reports (with all required supporting documents), in compliance with contract stipulations;

•Assisting in keeping track of expenditure by financial year; and liaising with relevant colleagues to keep track of funds received from and/or to be reimbursed to donors in each financial year:

•Supporting internal knowledge management and learning;

•Advising grantees on donor regulations;

•Coordinating with EED external consultant(s);

•Carrying out on-site monitoring missions, if required;

•Providing translation of short texts and/or commissioning/coordinating translation of more extensive documentation, as necessary;

•Performing other related tasks as required.

Requirements

a.Conditions for eligibility:

opreferably be a national or having permanent residence permit of one of the EED Member States

oBe entitled to his/her full rights as a citizen;

oHave completed any obligations imposed on him/her by the laws concerning military service;

oBe physically fit to perform his/her duties.

b.Essential selection criteria

Level and type of formal education:

oUniversity degree in Finance or Economics, International Affairs, International Development or related discipline.

Professional experience:

oDemonstrated track record in grant-making (particularly from the administrative and financial perspective), and/or project management and/or audit, financial control;

oAt least two years of proven full-time professional experience in grant management ideally within civil society-related projects and programmes;

oExperience in working with democracy-support donors in government and/or international organisations and/or from civil society;

oExperience of working with civil society in the countries of Eastern Europe considered an asset.

Functional competencies:

oFull professional working knowledge of Russian and English (including ability to draft quality reports for donors);

oWorking knowledge of other languages of the region would be an asset.

oAbility to verify financial reports (including verification of all supporting documents);

oAbility to liaise with donors;

oSubstantive understanding of political issues and trends in the Eastern Neighbourhood as well as EU policies towards the region;

oSolid ICT skills, especially in Microsoft Excel;

oHigh drive for detail and precision;

oAbility to keep full confidentiality about all assigned tasks and related documentation as well as capacity to exercise confidentiality, discretion and tact when dealing with diverse groups of people;

oHigh degree of communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills;

oAbility to develop strong working relationships internally and externally at all levels;

oHigh personal and professional culture;

oAbility to work in a multicultural environment;

oReadiness for duty travel.