Job advertisement NPO

Local news, 11.12.2023

The Embassy of Switzerland in Bulgaria is looking for a

National Programme Officer (full-time)

The second Swiss Contribution to selected EU-member States is Switzerland’s contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities within the European Union. The Swiss Contribution Office (SCO) at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bulgaria accompanies the implementation of the second Swiss Contribution in Bulgaria through the Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme (SBCP) on behalf of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC, and in close cooperation with our Bulgarian partners.

Under the Head of the SCO, the National Programme Officer (NPO) contributes to the identification, appraisal and assurance of support measures implemented under the second Swiss Contribution in Bulgaria. She/he will among others

  • Gather information on and contribute to the screening and appraising of proposed support measures;
  • Ascertain the proper application of the monitoring and control systems to approved support measures; especially with regard to public tenders and calls for proposals;
  • Contribute to the review and evaluation of the SBCP;
  • Liaise with the responsible Bulgarian and Swiss institutions as well as other involved organisations and partners;
  • Maintain a network of contacts in her/his area of responsibility and to local media;
  • Prepare reports, media content and other written inputs;
  • Provide administrative support within the SCO and to the SBCP, as required.

1. Requirements

Education and professional experience

University degree or equivalent qualification, preferably in a field related to the contribution programme (i.e. engineering, social sciences or law);

  • Minimum of 5 years of continuously more senior experience in programme/project management, preferably also in the context of EU structural aid/cohesion programmes;
  • Substantive experience in one or more of the following areas: environmental management, vocational education and training, public safety and security, migration and THB;
  • Profound knowledge of the public sector as well as the political, economic and social context in Bulgaria;
  • Experience with civil society development and private sector engagement as well as in capacity building is an asset.

Methodological competencies

  • Effective networking and negotiations skills, including the ability to engage in discussions with high-ranking officials;
  • Good knowledge of public tendering procedures and contract management;
  • Proficiency in results-based management of programmes and projects;
  • Good skills in communication and production of related content, including for social media.

Other competencies

  • Full professional proficiency in Bulgarian and English; proficiency in one of the official languages of Switzerland is an asset;
  • Readiness to travel frequently within the country.

2. Place of work and conditions·      

  • Place of work: Sofia.
  • Start of assignment: 01.03.2024 or by agreement.
  • Conditions: Work contract under Bulgarian law with remuneration package according to Embassy regulations.

3. Candidature

Please up-load here: www.jobs.bg/job/7184721 or send to sofia@eda.admin.ch by 07.01.2024 your Letter of motivation and CV, as two separate PDF-documents in English. – Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.