Grants Manager

Location: Brussels, Belgium Starting: As soon as possible Contract type: Two-year fixed-term contract, renewable depending on performance and available funding. Salary: Approx. €8,400 gross/month + benefits Deadline: 16 October 2026 at midnight (Brussels time) Strong management for strong democracy support The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) provides flexible funding to pro-democracy actors across the European Neighbourhood and beyond. In 2025 alone, 579 initiatives received €52.4 million in EED funding. We are looking for an experienced Grants Manager to take a senior role in the financial and contractual management of EED’s grant-making. Working across EED’s grants portfolio, you will ensure sound financial management, contractual compliance and effective grants administration, while providing strategic guidance to colleagues and managing a team of staff and consultants. You will also contribute to donor funding proposals and reporting, institutional processes and the continued development of EED’s grants management systems and practices. This is a senior position requiring substantial grant-making experience, strong financial and contractual expertise, sound judgement, and the ability to manage both people and complex processes. Candidates should have an excellent working knowledge of Arabic, Turkish or Farsi for this position. What You’ll Do You’ll lead grants management across a diverse portfolio of support to civil society, independent media and other pro-democracy actors. Your responsibilities will include: • Overseeing the financial and contractual management of EED grants, working closely with programme teams • Reviewing budgets, financial reports and supporting documentation, and ensuring compliance with contractual and donor requirements • Overseeing grant contracts, amendments, payments and internal approval processes • Advising colleagues and grantees on donor requirements, budgets and EED procedures • Providing strategic guidance on grants and funds management • Managing a team of staff and consultants • Preparing the financial components of funding proposals and donor reports • Supporting the management of EED’s donor grants, including expenditure monitoring, projections and compliance • Contributing to negotiations and reviews of donor agreements • Maintaining strong grants data and records across EED’s management systems • Contributing to EED’s monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management • Building relationships with donors and other stakeholders in the democracy support community • Supporting wider organisational and strategic priorities as needed What You Bring You have: • A Master’s degree in economics, international affairs, political or social science, law, international development or a related field — or a Bachelor’s degree combined with additional relevant experience • At least 8 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial role within…