Senior Officer (FMO) EFTA Secretariat

Brussels, Belgium

Job Reference: VA 18/2012
The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) administers the EEA Grants and Norway Grants on behalf of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The funding schemes aim at reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and strengthening of bilateral relations with the 15 EU countries benefiting from the funding.

Key areas of support include environment and climate change, civil society, human and social development, cultural heritage and cultural exchange, research and scholarships, decent work and justice and home affairs.

The FMO is affiliated to the EFTA Secretariat in Brussels, reports to the ministries of foreign affairs of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It serves as a contact point for the donor states, beneficiary states and other stakeholders. The FMO has 50 employees.

Category/Level: A5
Division: Financial Mechanism Office
Location: Brussels
Start Date: 1 September 2012
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed-term three years (renewable once if in the interest of the FMO)

Scope

The Senior Officer for the Financial Mechanism Committee acts as the secretary to the Financial Mechanism Committee (FMC), which is a decision body with representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Her/his tasks include the support to the FMC and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMFA) and the FMO decision-making structure. The FMC makes decisions on the EEA Grants and the NMFA makes decisions on the Norway Grants. Support includes compiling documents for donor meetings and processing written procedures for decisions. Good understanding is required of the functioning of the donor states’ public administration. S/he supports the planning and coordination of appraisals, audits and monitoring of programme implementation. S/he reports to the Head of Administration and Donor Relations.

Tasks

• Coordinate the preparation and follow-up of the donor meetings;
• Coordinate the formal written procedures with the FMC and the NMFA;
• Facilitate the communication between the FMC/NMFA and the FMO;
• Assist the FMC and the Director with matters relating to the Standing Committee of the EFTA States;
• Facilitate contacts and cooperation between the Donor States and the Beneficiary States;
• Attend the FMO management team meetings and Programme Committee meetings and disseminate decisions taken; and
• Provide assistance to the Head of Administration and Donor Relations within her/his area of responsibility.

Qualifications

• Relevant University degree, minimum Master’s level.

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in public administration or international organisation.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge regarding policies and priorities within her/his field of work, in particular donor policies;
• Good knowledge of EU policies and programmes in her/his field of work;
• Result-oriented approach, and a proactive and cooperative outlook;
• Strong interpersonal abilities, including a dynamic and flexible attitude, and cultural sensitivity;
• Self-reliance and autonomy, but also facility for team work;
• Ability to multitask and work to tight deadlines;
• Experience with standard office software;
• Knowledge of the field of work in one or more of the beneficiary states is an asset.

Languages

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Knowledge of another EFTA/EU language is an asset.

Employment Terms

Grade: A5
Annual Salary: EUR 96,571

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The Director of the FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised. Through its recruitment policy, the FMO wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture.

Open to nationals of all EFTA and EU member states.

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. We also offer favourable tax conditions and attractive social benefits.

Interested applicants should apply online via the EFTA e-recruitment tool: http://jobs.efta.int/.

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

Deadline for submission of application: 4 June 2012.