Country Consultant for North Macedonia
European Endowment for Democracy, Belgium
Job Description
The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a grant-making organisation established by the European Union and its Member States to foster and encourage democratisation and sustainable democracy. EED functions as an independent private law foundation with its seat in Brussels. While EED statutes do not foresee the setting up of any regional offices in the countries that fall within the scope of its geographical mandate, the Endowment has a network of consultants in key countries, to help provide its Secretariat with knowledge consultancy services as well as technical assistance and logistical support. This work includes research and analysis as well as outreach, monitoring and evaluation.
EED is looking for local consultants based in North Macedonia to enhance local support mechanism for its operations. The consultants would work on part-time no-exclusivity basis and would provide hands-on support to the EED programme team in Brussels.
The consultants 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 CSOs, both established and recent, emerging social movements, alternative media outlets, etc.). The consultants 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.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Knowledge consultancy: EED seeks to be complementary to other donors, especially to existing instruments of the EU and its Member States. In order to guarantee its added value, EED will request information regarding any existing initiatives that could potentially overlap with the activities it is considering funding. Within the possibilities given the situation on the ground, the consultant will be expected to maintain contact with the donor community and provide EED updates on donor activities in North Macedonia.
Further, EED will require local analysis of the evolving political and security situation and its impact on democracy support and democratisation efforts. The consultant will provide reports and updates that would provide such an analysis and focus on the consequences for EED support and activities EED is supporting in North Macedonia.
Background checks: EED will require reliable references of the persons or associations applying for support in order to make its funding decisions. The consultant, is in this regard, expected to carry out background checks when asked to, and make recommendations accordingly.
Support Grant proposals assessments and processing: EED will be accepting grant requests in local languages in addition to English. The consultant will be requested to contribute to the assessment of such requests, including content assessment, information verification, and reference checking 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.
Coaching and Technical Assistance: EED country consultant will, in coordination with EED Secretariat, follow up on and support initiatives and activists that EED is supporting in North Macedonia. This would include providing regular feedback and assessment of the work of EED supported initiatives (ensuring, among other things that funds are being spent adequately and activities carried out as agreed). As grants are disbursed and activities initiated, EED may also request the country consultant to provide the beneficiaries with technical assistance if needed and when appropriate.
Logistical support: EED country consultant may be asked to provide logistical support for EED Secretariat direct engagement with grantees from North Macedonia. This could include setting up meetings and other logistical support.
Outreach: EED country consultant may be requested to identify and/or approach actors whose work could be considered relevant to EED mandate.
Financial and narrative reports: The consultant will 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 EED Programme Manager and the EED Programme Team. The consultant is expected to coordinate all of his/her work with the Programme Team and write regular activity reports.
Requirements
- relevant academic background, preferably in the field of social sciences and humanities
- relevant professional experience, preferably in civil society; experience in grant-making process will be considered an advantage
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