Programme Manager – Democratic Governance, Human Rights and Civil Society

Vacancy Notice

Job title: programme manager – Cooperation Section

Democratic Governance, Human Rights and Civil Society 

LOCAL AGENT GROUP I 
Ref: ADM/AL-I/243466/2026 

Cooperation Section – Team: Governance, Rule of Law, Education, Youth and Skills 

We are
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 27 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organizations. Abroad, the EU is represented through more than 140 diplomatic representations, known also as EU Delegations, which have a similar function to those of an embassy.

The EU Delegation to the Malawi works in close coordination with the Embassies and Consulates of the 27 EU Member States. We are a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and represent the European Union in dealings with the Malawi government in areas that are part of the EU’s remit.

We offer

The post of Programme Manager in the Delegation’s Cooperation Section responsible for Democratic Governance, Human Rights and Civil Society (Local Agent Group I). The post is part of the Cooperation Section’s Team responsible for Governance, Rule of Law, Education, Youth and Skills. The postholder will be offered a fixed-term employment contract of 2 years with a possibility of renewal under reserve of budgetary availabilities and operational considerations. The Cooperation Section consists of a team of 23 staff and the team in which the post is currently placed consists of seven staff and there are occasional atypical working hours.

Under this post, the recruited person will have a number of fixed tasks and will also be attributed tasks depending on the needs of the Delegation, and on the changes of these needs. The successful candidate will serve under the supervision and responsibility of the EU Ambassador, the EU Head of Cooperation and the Team Leader, providing support, expertise and assistance in the relevant field.

Following main tasks and duties are currently required:

• Contribute to the programming, identification, formulation, and appraisal of programmes in cooperation with beneficiary institutions, both within the host country and in collaboration with other donors.
• Prepare proposals for programmes / projects, sector support, etc. in close co-operation with the DG INTPA geographical and thematic Units as applicable (including quality review).
• Prepare financing agreements and obtain signatures of all contracting parties
• Monitor the implementation of programmes/projects within the thematic areas of Democratic Governance (i.e. elections, civil participation and registration, work with parliament, accountability, follow-up emerging political developments), Economic Governance (i.e. fiscal decentralization and transparency), Human Rights and Civil Society and analyse annual and final implementation reports.
• Collaborate with stakeholders at country and regional levels, including government institutions, multilateral organisations, civil society, and the private sector, to facilitate dialogue and integrate EU partnership priorities in sector policy dialogues, ensuring policy coherence.
• Act as an operational initiator in the relevant IT systems, ensuring accurate documentation and conducting quality checks, providing “operational visa” on necessary documents.
• Prepare and assist in missions from headquarters and participate in audits as necessary.
• Maintain contact with other active donors in the host country to ensure strategic coherence in bilateral or multilateral relations.
• Organise and lead the various evaluations foreseen in the regulations (ex-ante, mid-term, ex-post).
• Handle all aspects of procurement processes, including drafting Terms of Reference and launching tenders, assessing and evaluating ongoing and completed projects to ensure quality and effectiveness.
• Prepare, launch, manage and monitor calls for proposals / tenders, including the evaluation and selection of projects.
• Manage technical and financial aspects of contracts linked to projects.
• Oversee the implementation of projects and the performance of project managers and partners, monitor contractual obligations (via periodic reviews, audits, reporting and assistance, etc.) and gather and handle external expertise.
• Deal with horizontal activities, concentration and networking aspects of the programmes and projects.
• Take responsibility for the quality, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of encoded data in EU Delegation IT systems.
• Support political and policy dialogue with all relevant actors – ministries, agencies, donors and other relevant stakeholders in all areas of concern.
• Support political and sector analysis and draft and contribute to reports and analysis of the topics under the area of responsibility.
• Contribute to the development and application of common approaches by the EU, Member States and other relevant partners.
• Accompany evaluation in relevant areas.
• Contribute to coordination with the Regional Partnerships/Partnerships section of reinforced Delegations, and other Delegations as needed in the region.

The base salary will depend on relevant and verified employment experience, typically starting from €3,037, gross salary.  There is a competitive benefits package, subject to certain conditions, including personal leave days and public holidays, health insurances and a retirement savings plan.

The expected start date will be 1/10/2026.

Minimum requirements / eligibility criteria (necessary for the application to be considered)

• University Degree, in Political or Social Science, Law or a related field is required. Master’s degree in the related field will be an added advantage.
• Excellent and solid oral and written communication skills in English are required, as well as good   presentational skills and knowledge of the whole Microsoft Office package (especially Word and Excel).
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in areas related to project management and to democratic and economic governance, human rights and/or support to civil society in Malawi or in similar country contexts.

Assets/selection criteria (basis for awarding points to select the best applicant)

Minimum Requirements:

• Medically fit to perform the required duties;
• Enjoys civil rights and permits for employment under local law;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Political or Social Science, Law or a related field is required.
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in a similar position.
• Minimum English language competency: ability to understand: C2, read: C2, speak C2 and write C2;
• Profficient level of computer literacy.
• Work experience with Public Organisation and/or International and/or Diplomatic missions and/or International Non-Governmental Organisations on democratic governance, electoral assistance, civic education, human rights, civil society strengthening.

The following will be considered as an asset:

• Master’s Degree in Political or Social Science, Law or a related field or any other domain related to the sectors under his/her responsibility.
• Experience in working in multicultural environment.
• Previous experience on the implementation of EU funded programmes.
• Team work fluency, high flexibility, and capacity to work under pressure.
• Knowledge/experience of EU policies, of international relations, of inner workings of the host country politics/media/economy.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES: 

The European Union is committed to an equal opportunities policy for all its employees and applicants for employment. As an employer, the EU is committed to promoting gender equality, preventing discrimination on any grounds and ensuring a zero tolerance approach to any form of harassment. It actively welcomes applications from all qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. We aim at a service which is truly representative of society, where each staff member feels respected, is able to give their best and can develop their full potential.

If pre-selected, candidates with disabilities are invited to contact the Delegation eeasjobs-048@eeas.europa.eu , in order to accommodate any special needs and provide assistance to ensure equality of opportunities with other candidates.

If a candidate with a disability is selected and recruited, the EEAS is committed to appropriate measures in order to accommodate his or her special needs to the working place or working conditions in accordance with Art 4 of the Decision ADMIN(2025)13 of the Director-General for Resource Management of the European External Action Service on providing reasonable accommodation for local staff with disabilities working in Union Delegations.

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