European Endowment for Democracy is looking for a Grants Assistant (Eastern Partnership; Russian-speaking)

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Starting: February/March 2027

Contract type: Fixed term until February 2029, renewable

Salary: Approx. €3,880 gross/month + benefits

Deadline: 22nd November at midnight Brussels time

Get into the detail. Stay close to the mission.

At the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), we support people and movements working for democratic change in some of the most complex and politically sensitive environments in the world.

Behind every grant we award is a process of care — for the work, for the people behind it, and for how funds are used. We are looking for a Grants Assistant to help manage the financial and administrative side of our support to partners in the Eastern Europe and beyond.

You will need to be sharp with numbers, comfortable with systems, and confident communicating with grantees, often in Russian. If you are meticulous, reliable, and motivated by meaningful work, this might be the role for you.

What You’ll Do

You will work closely with colleagues from both the Finance and Programmes teams, and be responsible for:

• Reviewing financial reports from grantees to ensure compliance and cost eligibility
• Assisting in the budget review process for new grant proposals
• Drafting contracts and related documentation
• Providing support and guidance to grantees on financial reporting and requirements
• Assisting in coordinating with external consultants or auditors as needed
• Translating brief texts from Russian to English and vice-versa
• Updating the database and maintain the archive
• Assisting with other administrative tasks of the Grants team

What You Bring

You have:

• A university degree in Economics, International Affairs, Development, or a related field
• At least 1 year of experience in grant management, financial administration, or audit/control — ideally in civil society or donor organisations
• Full professional fluency in English, both written and spoken
• Good command of Russian
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• A working understanding of donor compliance and audit practices
• A strong commitment to precision and accuracy

Bonus points for:

• Experience working on or in Eastern Europe
• Familiarity with political developments and civic space in the EU neighbourhood

You are:

• A clear and careful communicator
• Discreet, diplomatic, and professional in high-stakes environments
• Collaborative — but comfortable working independently
• Calm under pressure and organised with deadlines

Why Join Us?

• Purposeful work: You will be part of a mission that supports independent voices and democratic change — often where it’s needed most.
• People-first culture: At EED, we recognise that our most important asset is our people. We value the diversity of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives our team brings to our work — and we work to ensure everyone feels supported, heard, and able to thrive.
• Serious about well-being: We strive to create a positive work experience — with flexibility, respect, and a benefits package that supports your health, life and learning.
• Benefits that make a difference: Our package includes complementary health insurance (CIGNA), meal vouchers, public transport or bike allowance, 13th salary, holiday allowance, paid holiday and sick leave, parental leave options, weekly teleworking days, and an annual training budget.

How to Apply

Please apply online via our recruitment portal with:

• A one-page motivation letter
• Your CV (Europass format)
• Contact details for three professional references

Only complete applications will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a written test and up to two interviews.

Please note that we do not accept queries by phone, letter or email. All applications are subject to EU data protection legislation. Pre-employment screening and a criminal records check are part of the recruitment process.

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