Grants Manager

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Starting: As soon as possible

Contract type: Two-year fixed-term contract, renewable depending on performance and available funding.

Salary: Approx. €8,400 gross/month + benefits

Deadline: 16 October 2026 at midnight (Brussels time)

Strong management for strong democracy support

The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) provides flexible funding to pro-democracy actors across the European Neighbourhood and beyond. In 2025 alone, 579 initiatives received €52.4 million in EED funding.

We are looking for an experienced Grants Manager to take a senior role in the financial and contractual management of EED’s grant-making.

Working across EED’s grants portfolio, you will ensure sound financial management, contractual compliance and effective grants administration, while providing strategic guidance to colleagues and managing a team of staff and consultants. You will also contribute to donor funding proposals and reporting, institutional processes and the continued development of EED’s grants management systems and practices.

This is a senior position requiring substantial grant-making experience, strong financial and contractual expertise, sound judgement, and the ability to manage both people and complex processes. Candidates should have an excellent working knowledge of Arabic, Turkish or Farsi for this position.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead grants management across a diverse portfolio of support to civil society, independent media and other pro-democracy actors. Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the financial and contractual management of EED grants, working closely with programme teams

• Reviewing budgets, financial reports and supporting documentation, and ensuring compliance with contractual and donor requirements

• Overseeing grant contracts, amendments, payments and internal approval processes

• Advising colleagues and grantees on donor requirements, budgets and EED procedures

• Providing strategic guidance on grants and funds management

• Managing a team of staff and consultants

• Preparing the financial components of funding proposals and donor reports

• Supporting the management of EED’s donor grants, including expenditure monitoring, projections and compliance

• Contributing to negotiations and reviews of donor agreements

• Maintaining strong grants data and records across EED’s management systems

• Contributing to EED’s monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management

• Building relationships with donors and other stakeholders in the democracy support community

• Supporting wider organisational and strategic priorities as needed

What You Bring

You have:

• A Master’s degree in economics, international affairs, political or social science, law, international development or a related field — or a Bachelor’s degree combined with additional relevant experience

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial role within civil society-related projects or programmes

• A strong track record in grant-making and the financial and contractual management of grants

• Experience working with democracy-support donors in government, international organisations or civil society

• Excellent knowledge of grant-making, donor compliance and financial procedures

• Strong experience reviewing budgets and financial reports

• Experience managing a small team

• Excellent English and a strong working knowledge of Arabic, Turkish or Farsi

• Strong Excel and general digital skills

You are:

• Meticulous without becoming bureaucratic

• Comfortable making judgements in complex or unusual situations

• A strong manager who gives people clarity, trust and support

• Confident working across finance, programmes and senior management

• Diplomatic and discreet when handling sensitive information

• Able to build trusted relationships with colleagues, grantees and donors

• Organised, independent and calm when priorities compete

Good to have:

• Several years of professional experience in an EU Neighbourhood country

• Strong knowledge of political developments across the EU Neighbourhood

• Familiarity with EU institutions, policies and funding mechanisms

Why Join Us?

• Purposeful work: Your work will help make flexible funding possible for people defending and advancing democracy in difficult environments.

• Real responsibility: You’ll play a senior role in how EED manages grants, donor funding and organisational risk.

• People-first culture: We value the different skills, experiences and perspectives our colleagues bring and work to create an environment built on trust, collaboration and professional respect.

• Benefits that make a difference: Our package includes complementary health insurance (CIGNA), meal vouchers, public transport or bike allowance, 13th salary, holiday allowance, paid holiday and sick leave, parental leave options, weekly teleworking days, and an annual training budget.

How to Apply

Please apply online through our recruitment portal with:

• A one-page motivation letter

• Your CV in mandatory Europass format

• Contact details for three professional references

Pre-selected candidates will be invited to complete a written online test, followed by interviews for shortlisted candidates.

Please note that we do not accept applications or enquiries by phone, letter or email. All applications are handled in accordance with EU data protection legislation. Pre-employment screening and criminal records checks form part of the recruitment process.