Programme Officer – Great Lakes and Southern Africa – Brussels Belgium

Based in Brussels and active in over a dozen countries, the European Institute of Peace (EIP) (www.eip.org) is an independent organisation working collaboratively with the parties to the conflict, those who represent people suffering from insecurity or at risk of violence, as well as European decision-makers and the conflict prevention, resolution and mediation community.

We provide practical experience, technical expertise, and policy advice on conflict resolution. We use a variety of tools to help us do this, including analysis, mapping and design of peace processes and agreements, facilitating policy discussions, and proposing practical engagement, for example through inclusive dialogue and mediation support.

Are you captivated by our innovative approach to peace, and do you want to contribute to the mission of our institute? Do you share our vision for a world where people live in safety and peace because conflicts and grievances are resolved through inclusive dialogue and lasting political agreements?

We are looking for a communicative and meticulous Programme Officer to support the Institute’s Programmes on the Great Lakes Region and Southern Africa within the Engagement, Dialogue & Process Design (EDP) unit.

As Programme Officer you will be working together with a Programme Assistant and report to the Programme Manager. You will also closely work together with the Great Lakes and Southern Africa Team Lead, and senior and regional advisor.

You will

• In support of the Programme Manager, ensure the design, development and implementation of the relevant projects to prevent or resolve conflict in the Great Lakes and Southern Africa with an emphasis on peace process support initiatives which play to Europe’s strengths and aligned with EIP’s Vision, Mission, and Goals;
• Contribute to robust, high-quality and timely programming conducted in accordance with work plans, strategies and donor requirements, ensuring high standards of work and effective implementation;
• Coordinate with the entire team to ensure timely day-to-day implementation of assigned projects, large and small events planning and management, travel preparation and follow-up, preparing for and ensuring action on meetings at various levels, including protocol for high-level engagements;
• Contribute to the development of concrete and realistic strategies for field-based engagement in order to develop strong networks, and to work closely with local actors, conflict parties, and other relevant groups to inform and contribute to the achievement of project objectives;
• Contribute to the planning and execution of, relevant policy discussions, leading to the development of strong policy recommendations and process design options;
• Monitor developments in the relevant conflict contexts (Great Lakes and Southern Africa) and develop knowledge, expertise and key relationships, feeding into the analysis developed by the unit and ensure overall adherence to the Institute’s analytical framework;
• Aligned with the team’s engagement strategy, liaise, in a coordinated manner, with the key stakeholders including relevant governments, non-governmental actors, civil society, local partners and international actors in the region to ensure smooth collaboration and partnerships;
• Actively take initiative and contribute to the development and maintenance of effective liaison, strong relations and engagement with donors (Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belgian Government, EEAS, Swiss Government and others);
• Contribute to fundraising, monitor donor policy priorities and changes, in order to seize opportunities and secure additional funding to be able to expand the scope of the Institute’s work and consolidate existing funding initiatives;
• Coordinate and contribute to the drafting and compiling of briefing materials for internal and external audiences and events, including preparation of speeches for senior leadership;
• On assigned projects ensure operational compliance with internal policies and guidelines as well as and donor rules and regulations in the delivery, monitoring and reporting, while strictly respecting deadlines;
• On assigned projects, ensure sound financial management of activities, grants and resources, including expenditure, forecasting, monitoring of accounts and financial reporting;
• Draft or coordinate the drafting of project documents, including concept notes, project proposals, briefing documents, regular and ad-hoc reporting. Ensure sound project construction and budget creation, in line with internal policies and donor requirements;
• Contribute to a dynamic and healthy environment in the programme team, working to ensure a respectful, professional and supportive atmosphere and work culture, in respect of team member’s well-being.

Your skills and experience

• University degree in political science, conflict resolution, international relations, or related field;
• Knowledge of the political and economic situation of the Great Lakes Region and Southern Africa, of the conflict contexts in these regions, and of the geopolitical developments that are taking place in the region as a whole;
• Minimum of 4 years of experience, at least 3 of which spent in the field of conflict resolution, post-conflict stabilisation, diplomacy, humanitarian activities or similar;
• Excellent knowledge of project cycle management, including experience working in budget management;
• Perfect command of English and French. Knowledge of Portuguese or any other language relevant for the region is a plus;
• Experience with working in multicultural teams in the context of complex programmes or projects, experience with working in regional teams or working with them remotely is a clear plus;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Legally entitled to work in Belgium (EU citizen or currently in possession of a Belgian work permit).

The Institute offers

• An exciting job in an international and diverse environment (18 nationalities represented at the Brussels Office
• Open-ended Belgian contract
• Competitive Benefits package which includes health care insurance and pension plan, meal vouchers, transportation and telework allowance, and SIM card
• 40h/week and 32 leave days/year
• The possibility to telework 3 days a week

Expected start date: March 2024

The selected candidate will need to reside in or relocate to Belgium when the employment contract starts.