Programme Assistant (Eastern Partnership)

Location: Brussels Belgium

Starting: Autumn 2026

Contract type: 12-years

Salary: Approx. 3800 gross/month

Deadline: 28 June 2026 at midnight Brussels time

Precision perspective purpose.

At the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) we stand behind people working for democratic change in difficult environments where civic space is restricted and political pressure is high. Our support is fast flexible and grounded in trust.

Were now looking for Programme Assistants to join our team working on the Eastern Partnership region. This is a dynamic role where youll support the full cycle of EED grant-making: from assessing applications to supporting grantees write reports and stay connected with one another. Youll track developments on the ground liaise with local partners and help make sure our support remains sharp and relevant.

This is an opportunity for someone detail-oriented collaborative with great analytical and critical thinking skills someone who thrives in a mission-driven environment and is ready to grow.

What Youll Do

Working as part of the Programmes Team you will report to an Eastern Partnership Programme Manager and your responsibilities will include:

Supporting the assessment of incoming applications

Assisting with follow-up communication and coaching of applicants during the review process

Assisting with monitoring the progress of ongoing initiatives including reviewing narrative reports and gathering insights from the field

Assisting in drafting reports to donors and internal programme documentation

Assisting with the organisation of grantee exchanges learning sessions and community-building activities

Supporting programme-related events both in Brussels and the region

Undertaking outreach and monitoring missions where needed

Staying up to date with political developments and trends relevant to EEDs work in the Eastern Partnership/ Eurasia region

What You Bring

You have:

A university degree in political or social sciences international affairs law development or a related field

At least one year of full-time professional experience in civil society-related projects or programmes

Full professional fluency in English and Russian

You are:

Organised focused and comfortable managing multiple timelines

A clear communicator who works well with partners and colleagues

Collaborative and culturally aware with high personal and professional integrity

Motivated by purpose and able to connect your daily tasks to a broader mission

Bonus points for:

Experience working directly with civil society in the Eastern Partnership region

Knowledge of EU policies towards Eastern neighbourhood

Experience with compliance budgeting or donor reporting tools

Experience in grant-making project cycle management or donor reporting

Knowledge of other languages from Eastern Partnership countries

Why Join Us

Meaningful work: Help support grassroots efforts defending democracy and rights in one of the worlds most challenging contexts.

A smart international and diverse team: Join colleagues who care about impact and work collaboratively across regions and disciplines.

Benefits that matter: Our package includes complementary health insurance (CIGNA) meal vouchers public transport or bike allowance 13th month salary holiday pay paid leave parental leave options and annual training opportunities.

How to Apply

Please apply online via our recruitment portal. Your application must include:

Your CV in Europass format

A one-page motivation letter

Contact details for three professional references

Interviews will take place in Brussels. A written test may be organised.

Please note: We do not accept queries by phone email or letter. All data is handled in accordance with EU legislation. Pre-employment screening and criminal records checks are part of the recruitment process.

Required Experience:

Junior IC