Programme Assistant

Position description

At the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), we stand behind people working for democratic change in difficult environments — where civic space is restricted and political pressure is high. Our support is fast, flexible, and grounded in trust.

We’re now looking for a Programme Assistant to join our team working on Turkey and the broader region. This is a dynamic role where you’ll support the full cycle of EED grant-making: from assessing applications to supporting grantees, write reports, and stay connected with one another. You’ll track developments on the ground, liaise with local partners, and help make sure our support remains sharp and relevant.

This is an opportunity for someone detail-oriented, collaborative with great analytical and critical thinking skills — someone who thrives in a mission-driven environment and is ready to grow.

What You’ll Do

• Supporting the assessment of incoming applications

• Assisting with follow-up communication and coaching of applicants during the review process

• Assisting with monitoring the progress of ongoing initiatives, including reviewing narrative reports and gathering insights from the field

• Assisting in drafting reports to donors and internal programme documentation

• Supporting coordination with the Communications team and contributing to the visibility of initiatives

• Assisting with the organisation of grantee exchanges, learning sessions, and community-building activities

• Supporting programme-related events, both in Brussels and the region

• Undertaking outreach and monitoring missions, where needed

• Staying up to date with political developments and trends relevant to EED’s work in Turkey and the broader region.

What You Bring

You have:

• A university degree in political or social sciences, international affairs, law, development, or a related field

• At least one year of full-time professional experience in civil society-related projects or programmes

• Full professional fluency in English

• Good working knowledge of Turkish (spoken and written)

You are:

• Organised, focused, and comfortable managing multiple timelines

• A clear communicator who works well with partners and colleagues

• Collaborative and culturally aware, with high personal and professional integrity

• Motivated by purpose — and able to connect your daily tasks to a broader mission

Bonus points for:

• Experience working directly with civil society in Turkey

• Knowledge of EU policies toward Turkey or the broader neighbourhood

• Experience supporting media development or independent journalism

• Experience with compliance, budgeting, or donor reporting tools; Experience in grant-making, project cycle management or donor reporting

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful work: Help support grassroots efforts defending democracy and rights in one of the world’s most challenging contexts.

• A smart, international and diverse team: Join colleagues who care about impact and work collaboratively across regions and disciplines.

• Benefits that matter: Our package includes complementary health insurance (CIGNA), meal vouchers, public transport or bike allowance, 13th month salary, holiday pay, paid leave, parental leave options, and annual training opportunities.

Application instructions

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