Based in Skopje (North Macedonia), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) or Belgrade (Serbia)
Regional Grants and mobility manager

On behalf of the European Commission, the Goethe-Institut will assume management of the programme “Support to Public Service Media in the Western Balkans” with an overall budget value of Є3.3 million for a period of over 39 months starting on 1st September. The programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Deutsche Welle Akademie. Its objective is to facilitate a realistic reform of public service media in the Western Balkan countries, notably by introducing new collaborative approaches and innovative tools for quality production and audience engagement.

The programme will work with Public Service Media (PSM) entities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia offering the following components: 

• tailored in-house consultancies to improve internal governance and organisational performance in response to specific needs and priorities of each PSM;
• capacity-building programmes for PSM media professionals such as innovation labs, hackathons, multimedia workshops, mentoring and masterclasses, training of trainers, conducting focus groups;
• regional cooperation, networking, and visibility opportunities for PSMs to expand partnerships in the region;
• various grant scheme offers for PSM, management, journalists and technical staff focused on enhancing high-quality, audience-relevant and innovative programming, and reporting.

For this programme we are seeking to hire a

REGIONAL GRANTS and mobility MANAGER – support to public service media in the western balkans
 

This is a full-time position until 31st August 2026. The position can be based in Skopje (North Macedonia), Belgrade (Serbia), or Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The Regional Grants and Mobility Manager is expected to start as soon as possible. The role will require frequent travel within Western Balkan region.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

In accordance with the contractual funding agreement, technical proposal, logical framework, budget, timeline and Goethe-Institut’s rules and regulations, the Regional Grants Manager will be responsible for planning, setting up and executing the entire grants-making process of the programme “Support to Public Service Media in the Western Balkans”. S/he will report to the Team Leader of the programme and work closely with the the Regional Finance Manager and Events and Advocacy Manager. As such, the Grants and Mobility Manager will be responsible (amongst others) for:

• Grants management – The Regional Grants Manager is leading on the overall development and implementation the programme’s financial support schemes to third parties.
• Grants development – Coordinate and lead on the grant’s calls for proposals, including the design documents, evaluation criteria and the grants-contracts, and if needed the creation of a jury committee. S/he works closely with the Events and Advocacy Manager for the grants dissemeniation.
• Mobility – Coordinate the study visits and mobility scheme of the programme in close collaboration with the Deutsche Welle Akademie.
• Compliance requirements – Ensure donor rules and well-articulated both to the project team and the grantees. Develop a compliance manual together with the Finance Manager
• Reporting – Oversee and coordinate all grantees reports with the support of the Finance Manager. This includes ensuring consistency of both the narrative and financial reporting.
• Capacity building – Organise capacity building workshops to train the grantees on grant management requirements.
• Monitoring and Evaluation – Coordinate with monitoring and evaluation of all grants in collaboration with the M&E Expert in Headquarters under the guidance of the Team Leader. Conduct on-sight visits as required.
• Strategic Partnership Development – Identify and establish strategic partnerships with relevant organizations, institutions, and industry stakeholders to enhance the impact and reach of the grants program.
• Risk Management – Develop and implement a risk management plan for the grants program, identifying potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Foster collaboration and information-sharing among different components of the program, including Events and Advocacy, to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach in achieving program objectives.
• Knowledge Sharing Events – Organize knowledge-sharing events, workshops, or webinars to facilitate learning and exchange of best practices among grantees and relevant stakeholders.
• Sustainability Integration – Infuse sustainability criteria into the grants program, encouraging projects that contribute to long-term impact and align with sustainable development goals.
• Gender Mainstreaming – Integrate gender-sensitive approaches in grants development and management, ensuring diversity and inclusivity in the supported projects.
• Other tasks as required by the programme

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Higher education degree relevant to the position
• Full working proficiency in English and in a local language spoken in one of the Western Balkan countries.
• Good knowledge of the German language is an asset
• Certified qualification in project management is an asset

ROLE SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, including at least three years in grants management
• Good knowledge of setting up and overseeing complex grants management systems
• Excellent understanding of donor rules and regulations
• Financial management skills
• Experience in Monitoring & Evaluation
• Knowledge of project implementation in the Western Balkan region
• Good interpersonal skills, including time management
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Excellent communication, negotiations, and presentation skills

DESIRABLE 

• Knowledge of EU Pillar Assessed Contribution Agreements (PACA)
• Experience of working in the context of media development
• Existing networks with key stakeholders in the Western Balkans media sector, including Public Service Broadcasters

WE OFFER

• An attractive remuneration and holiday package (exact amount depending on position location)
• Flexible working hours, possibility to work remotely on occasion
• A dynamic and motivated work environment