Country Officer Poland - EEA and Norway Grants

Country Officer Poland - EEA and Norway Grants

EFTA - European Free Trade Association

Brussels, Belgium

The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) is the secretariat of the EEA Grants and Norway Grants, and is affiliated to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Brussels.

We are looking for a highly motivated and qualified candidate to fill the EEA and Norway Grants’ Poland Country Officer vacancy.

The overall objectives of the EEA and Norway Grants are to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to strengthen bilateral relations between the Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and the 15 Beneficiary States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia).

The Grants are based on a programme model where the Beneficiary States are responsible for the programmes and for projects implemented under the programmes. Some programmes and funds, notably regarding civil society, regional cooperation and decent work and a small number of energy and innovation programmes, are under the responsibility of the FMO.

The allocation for the current funding period (2014-2021) totals €2.8 billion. Poland is the largest Beneficiary State with an allocation of €809 million.

The priority sectors in the current funding period are:

• Innovation, Research, Education and Competitiveness;
• Social Inclusion, Youth Employment and Poverty Reduction;
• Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy;
• Culture, Civil Society, Good Governance and Fundamental Rights and Freedoms;
• Justice and Home Affairs.

The FMO offers an international, stimulating and diverse workplace, with a current staff of about 70 employees comprising about 20 nationalities. Our values are:

• Professionalism;
• Cooperation; and
• Trust, responsibility and respect.

For more information, please check our website: www.eeagrants.org.

The position is open to nationals of the EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).

Division: FMO
Category/Level: A4
Duration of Appointment: Fixed term of three years. If considered desirable and in the organisation’s interest, an additional three-year contract may be offered.
Start Date: August 2023 or as agreed
Closing Date: 02 April 2023
Job Reference: VA 21/2023

Scope

The Poland Country Officer serves as the primary contact point between the FMO, the National Focal Point in Poland and the Donor States. S/he may be asked to take on the Country Officer role also for other Beneficiary States or to participate in the work on another Beneficiary State. S/he may also be asked to take on programme management tasks as relevant.

S/he provides country coordination, maintains overview of and follows up on the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants in the assigned Beneficiary State, coordinates the preparation of Annual Meetings, provides guidance to the Polish National Focal Point on policy questions related to the Grants, contributes to work on the bilateral objective of the Grants and follows political, social and economic developments in Poland. S/he is also expected to do risk analysis and cross-cutting analysis of developments in Poland, and across Beneficiary States if relevant.

The work also includes administrative tasks related to these responsibilities. The position involves frequent travel of short duration.

The Country Officer reports to the Head of the Country and Bilateral Unit.

Tasks

• Maintain overview of the implementation of the EEA and Norway Grants in Poland and report on progress;
• Follow political, social and economic developments in Poland and contribute to the FMO’s risk management strategy;
• Cooperate with Donor States embassies to Poland as well as relevant EU institutions and partner organisations;
• Provide country expertise both internally at the FMO and externally to the Donor States;
• Guide the Polish National Focal Point on all questions related to the Grants, and coordinate internal FMO work related to Poland, and any other Beneficiary States under his/her responsibility;
• Work with Polish and Donor States actors to enhance bilateral relations;
• Coordinate preparation and follow-up of Annual Meetings between the Donor States and Poland, and any other Beneficiary States under his/her responsibility;
• Participate actively in relevant FMO programme teams;
• Manage any programmes under his/her responsibility;
• Contribute to other organisational and departmental horizontal tasks and fulfil administrative tasks in relation to the work.

Qualifications

• Relevant University degree, Master’s level.

Experience

Required experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience;
• Relevant knowledge of Poland.

Desired experience:

• A combination of work experience in e.g., public administration, diplomacy or international organisations, and programme management;
• Experience working with the justice sector, rule of law or human rights;

Skills:

• Analytical skills in respect of monitoring of progress of programme implementation as well as monitoring of political, social and economic developments;
• Ability to draft reports and analytical papers, and to present complex issues clearly;
• Result-oriented and understanding of risk management;
• Relationship building, negotiation skills and cultural sensitivity;
• Coordination skills and role understanding;
• Ability to work independently, as well as to cooperate in and lead teams;
• Flexible attitude, ability to multitask and work to tight deadlines.

Languages

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (the working language of the FMO). Working knowledge of Polish is a requirement (oral and reading).

Employment Terms

Grade: A4
Annual starting salary: EUR 100,326.84

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.

The FMO is an employer dedicated to the principles of diversity and equal opportunities. We select our staff without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, religion, ethnic origin and culture, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, pregnancy or family responsibilities.

We offer a very interesting and challenging position in a dynamic and diverse environment and the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Salaries and related payments are normally exempt from taxation by the EFTA Member States and, as regulated in headquarters agreements, in the EFTA host states. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply.

For further information regarding this position please contact Katrine Steinfeld, Head of the Country and Bilateral Unit, katrine.steinfeld@efta.int. For more details about the recruitment process please contact Ms Vera Medinskaya, Head of Administration and HR Unit, vme@efta.int, tel. +32 2 211 18 60.

Please note that only applications received via our web tool will be considered.

Deadline for submission of application: 2 April 2023.

Please note that the interviews will take place in April 2023.

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