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.
The Grants are Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway’s contribution to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to strengthen bilateral relations between the three Donor States and the 15 Beneficiary States - Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. (No programmes in Hungary are financed in the current funding period.)
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 totals €2.8 billion. The priority sectors 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.
Negotiations on a new funding period are under way between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and the European Union.
The FMO offers an international, stimulating and diverse workplace, with a current staff of about 60 fixed-term employees comprising 15-20 nationalities. Our values are:
• Professionalism;
• Cooperation;
• Trust, responsibility and respect.
For more information please check our website at: www.eeagrants.org.
Only nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are eligible for this position.
Scope
The Managing Director oversees the overall management and organisation of the FMO. Together with the Donor States the Managing Director defines the FMO’s overall strategies and ensures the implementation of the FMO’s goals and objectives. The Managing Director reports to the governing bodies of the Grants - the Financial Mechanism Committee for the EEA Grants and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Norway Grants – and ensures that they are provided with the information and recommendations which enable them to exercise their responsibilities. The Managing Director is responsible for overall collaboration and communication with the Donor States, the Beneficiary States, the 21 Donor State organisations serving as Donor Programme Partners, the three International Partner Organisations and the European Commission. The Managing Director has the overall budget and human resources responsibility.
Tasks
• Leads the FMO’s operations to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the work to reach the overall goals and objectives of the Grants.
• Ensures results-based management, risk management, and internal control.
• Has the overall responsibility for the cooperation with the Beneficiary States.
• Represents the FMO in high level meetings.
• Has the overall responsibility for communication and media relations.
• Takes decisions as delegated by the governing bodies of the Grants.
• Leads the work of the management team and ensures good resource allocation.
• Ensures the preparation and implementation of the FMO’s budget.
• Ensures quality human resources management.
Qualifications
University degree at least master level in economics, law, political science or equivalent.
Experience
• Extensive work experience in grant management and programme management in an international or national financial institution or organisation, national administration or NGO.
• Excellent understanding of Donor States’ policies and priorities and familiarity with the Beneficiary States and the European Commission.
• Knowledge of EU and other programmes providing support to the Beneficiary States and /or developing aid.
• 10 years of relevant experience at management level of which at least 5 years at senior level.
Skills
• Strong track-record and proven management skills in a multicultural environment, including leadership, organisational awareness, and change management.
• Excellent diplomatic and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and organisational abilities.
• Result-oriented approach and a proactive and cooperative outlook.
• Highly skilled communicator with excellent presentation and communication skills and with ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Good role understanding.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and maintain appropriate systems of financial control and risk management.
• Strong interpersonal abilities, including a dynamic and flexible attitude, and cultural sensitivity.
Languages
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other EFTA/EU languages is an asset.
Employment Terms
We offer a very interesting and challenging position in a dynamic and diverse environment and the opportunity to work with a team of highly qualified people.
The position is placed in grade A7 in EFTA’s salary system, currently €149,861 – €179,977 per annum. The starting salary will be decided based on the competence and experience of the successful candidate.
Salaries and related payments are 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.
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, colour, culture, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, pregnancy or family responsibilities. To increase the share of women in FMO’s management positions, we encourage women to apply.
Only nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are eligible for this position.
For further information on this position please contact: Henning Stirø, FMO Managing Director, email: henning.stiro@efta.int, tel.: +32 2 2 111 880; or Vera Medinskaya, Head of FMO Administration and Human Resources Unit, email: vera.medinskaya@efta.int, tel: +32 2 2 111 860.
Please note that only applications received via our web tool will be considered.
Deadline for submission of application: 22 January 2023.
Starting date subject to agreement, preferably in August 2023.