International Program Manager Grant Management

Do you want to help build a more equal world where the rights of LGBTQI people are respected Do you have experience in international development cooperation human rights or civil society strengthening Then you may be the colleague we are looking for.

RFSL is seeking an International Program Manager to manage regranting processes support partner organisations strengthen capacity-building efforts and follow up on projects within the EaP region. You will play a key role in ensuring quality relevance and results in advancing LGBTQI movements in a complex and rapidly changing environment.

About RFSL and the International Unit

RFSL (the Swedish Federation for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer and Intersex Rights) founded in 1950 is one of the worlds oldest non-profit organisations working to advance LGBTQI rights. RFSLs mission is to ensure that LGBTQI individuals human rights are respected both nationally and internationally. Our international work focuses on supporting partner organisations in Eastern Europe Asia and Africa through regranting and partnerships capacity strengthening and facilitating access to international advocacy platforms.

Your role with us

As International Program Manager you will work closely with partner organisations in the EaP region with a primary focus on re-granting and organisational capacity-strengthening this role regranting is the primary tool for supporting partners. The position carries clear responsibility for financial oversight compliance risk assessment and documentation throughout the full grant cycle. While capacity strengthening is part of the role it is closely linked to grant management and focuses on ensuring that funding is used safely strategically and in line with programme objectives. You will plan and implement capacity-strengthening activities that support activists and organisations in their work while ensuring that grant funding is used effectively responsibly and strategically.

You will also monitor and evaluate projects to ensure relevance context sensitivity and responsiveness to shifting political and socio-economic realities in the region.

Through your work you will help ensure that funds are used efficiently and responsibly to achieve project objectives and deliver impact.

You will be part of the International Unit based in Stockholm and report to the Head of Program. This is a permanent position with a six-month probation period.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the full regranting cycle including assessment of partner applications budgets and reports (including financial and audit reports) and preparation of agreements decision memos and disbursement requests to ensure compliance with donor requirements internal regulations and grant agreements.

• Conduct reviews of partner organisations internal management and control.

• Identify and implement organisational development activities for and with the partner organizations (workshops trainings scholarships consultations).

• Monitor partner organisations and projects including narrative financial and audit follow-ups.

• Contribute to the on-going monitoring and evaluation processes in the program by documenting the impact of the re-granting work and in accordance with the PMEL framework.

• Conduct partner visits and maintain close contact with organisations in the EaP region to identify needs risks and opportunities.

• Carry out procurement of services and goods in accordance with internal and donor-specific requirements.

• Support audits financial reviews and internal control processes.

• Support partners in complex environments where LGBTQI organisations face additional barriers including identifying safe and viable ways to channel support.

• Work closely with the Head of Program Controller and Finance Team on financial follow-up.

• Contribute to annual reporting processes with donors such as narrative reports financial and audit processes documenting impact and change etc.

• Support the development of new program applications and funding proposals.

• Coordinate with other funders and donors operating in the region.

• Contribute to unit-wide processes internal meetings and cross-organizational activities at RFSL.

• Participate in and contribute to RFSLs federation-wide activities and events.

Who are you

We are looking for a solution-oriented structured and collaborative professional with strong program and grant management skills and a deep commitment to advancing LGBTQI rights in the EaP region. You are motivated by supporting partners by helping them access resources in ways that are safe compliant and context-appropriate. You understand that sustainable movement-building relies not only on funding but also on organisational health governance financial routines and activist wellbeing. You are comfortable and have experience of working with both informal grassroots groups and more established organisations and you bring the curiosity patience and interpersonal awareness needed to meet partners where they are.

You are able to work effectively in complex and politically sensitive environments where a nuanced and cautious approach to partnership support is essential while maintaining transparency compliance and non-stigmatising partnership regranting practices. You are comfortable managing detailed administrative processes while building trust-based relationships and you value co-creation shared learning and long-term engagement that enables partners to strengthen their organisational resilience.

You are a proactive and self-driven finance professional with strong self-leadership and high personal integrity. You thrive in an international environment and enjoy collaborating across cultures languages and teams. You communicate clearly value accountability and transparency and are motivated by purpose-driven work.

You share RFSLs values of anti-racism feminism accessibility and intersectionality.

To succeed in this role you need:

• A strong commitment to strengthening LGBTQI movements and advancing human rights justice and equality through long-term partner-led development.

• Demonstrated understanding of the lived realities of LGBTQI persons and LGBTQI activism in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus through personal and/or professional experience.

• At least a Bachelor degree in social sciences international development human rights public administration or equivalent qualifications gained through relevant work experience.

• At least 3 years of relevant experience within national or international NGOs development cooperation civil society support or grant management.

• Understanding of the security implications related to LGBTQI activism in different contexts across the Eastern Partnership.

• A proven track record in grant project and program management including regranting.

• Strong analytical and administrative skills including the ability to assess budgets financial reports organisational capacity and funding risks.

• Solid IT skills including good knowledge of Google Suite.

• Proficiency in English both spoken and written.

• Willingness and ability to travel within the EaP region.

• Ability to work from Stockholm Sweden.

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience working with LGBTQI movement and organizations in the Eastern Partnership region including grassroots organizations.

• Experience working in politically sensitive or shrinking civic spaces.

• Experience with civil society organisations human rights work or LGBTQI movements in the EaP region or in a similar regional or socio-political context (e.g. Central Asia).

• Proficiency in Swedish and/or relevant regional languages spoken in the Eastern Partnership region (such as Ukrainian Russian or other regional languages).

Employment terms

• Employment type: Full-time permanent position with an initial six-month probation period.

• Location: RFSLs office in Stockholm with some hybrid work possible. Occasional travel for program activities is expected.

• Start date: As agreed.

• Contract terms: Covered by the Collective Agreement for Nonprofit Organizations.

Our offer

RFSL offers a dynamic and inclusive workplace that values professionalism growth and social impact. We provide competitive conditions including occupational pensions and parental benefits.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by January 18th 2026. We use anonymous competency-based recruitment and require a background check and a work-related assignment as part of the process before employment. This recruitment process will be conducted in English.

For inquiries about the position please contact the hiring manager Christian Hellqvist at . For recruitment process questions reach out to HR Partner Tobias Jensen at .

Please note: Due to public holidays and scheduled leave response times may be longer than usual. We will not be monitoring email between 20 December and 11 January and will respond to inquiries as soon as possible thereafter.

As a feminist and anti-racist organization RFSL strives to be an inclusive workplace for everyone regardless of sexual orientation gender identity and expression sex characteristics religion race ethnicity country of origin disability status age and other grounds of discrimination.