Programme Officer Innovation Norway Zagreb
Innovation Norway is seeking one new staff for its newly established office in Zagreb, the Republic of Croatia.
We are looking for a Programme Officer with experience from International Financing Instruments (IFI), EU programmes or business development, and with a genuine interest in making a difference. We seek a pro-active, flexible, solution-oriented team player with an analytical mind and eyes both for details and the big picture alike.
Innovation Norway offers competitive terms and conditions, a variety of challenging tasks, a good working environment and possibilities for international relations. The positions are offered on a temporary basis of a duration of up to three years.
About Innovation Norway
Innovation Norway, with its head office in Oslo, is a state-owned company under the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the Norwegian County Municipalities. The company has 800 employees divided between offices in all the Norwegian counties and in more than 27 countries worldwide.
Innovation Norway in Croatia
In Croatia, Innovation Norway is appointed as Fund Operator for one Norway Grants scheme. The EEA and Norway Grants are the financial contributions of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein towards the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and to strengthen bilateral relations with 15 EU and EEA Member States in Northern, Central and Southern Europe. For the current programme period, 2014-2021, the three donor countries have allocated ? 95.645 million to several different programmes and funds in Croatia. In general, these grant schemes support projects in priority areas such as business development, judicial cooperation, local development, education, energy and more.
Out of this total allocation, Innovation Norway is the Fund Operator for the following Programme:
- Innovation, Research, Education and Competitiveness ("Business Development and Innovation Croatia"), aiming for business development in the private sector in Croatia. The Programme has two focus areas: Green Industry Innovation and Blue Growth. Total allocation to this Programme is Euro 22 mill.
The first Call for Proposals was launched in in July 2020. The official Programme web-site is: https://www.innovasjonnorge.no/Croatiainnovation
In order to secure a proper management of the "Business Development and Innovation Programme", Innovation Norway has established a Branch office in Zagreb.
W orking areas
During the lifetime of the "Business Development and Innovation Croatia" Programme, a wide variety of tasks will be needed, depending on the Programme's phase. To secure a successful implementation, the Programme Officer will carry out appropriate assignments planned and agreed upon with the Programme Director.
Main working areas for the position:
- Ensure compliant Programme implementation in line with established rules and procedures
- Contribution to the preparation of future Call for Proposals
- Administrative, technical and financial assessment of project applications
- Preparation and execution in the contracting phase (on-site visits to short-listed companies, prepare grant contracts, check the fulfilment of pre-contracting conditions etc.)
- Monitor implementation of approved projects, follow-up and reporting
- Financial control of progress reports and payments claims (eligibility review)
- Preparation of documentation for disbursement of funds and other control activities
- Programme promotion and communication activities
- Provide technical expertise in meetings, seminars, conferences that will be organised within the Programme
- Administrative tasks to secure documentation of Programmes activities in Innovation Norway's IT systems.
Some administrative tasks related to the management of Innovation Norway's Zagreb Branch, to secure compliance with reporting obligations etc. to Croatian Authorities, could be added to the working areas if/when needed.
Required qualifications
++Required qualifications for the position++
- Bachelor/Master's degree or similar in a relevant field (e.g. economics, business development/management, finance etc.)
- At least five years of work experience possibly in the field of grant management (e.g. management of EU/IFI/other bilateral funds)
- Experience as assessor of 2-3 grant schemes and financial project management
- Basic knowledge about Croatian state aid- and public procurement rules
- Ability to work under pressure and manage his/her responsibilities within tight deadlines
- Excellent reporting- and cross-cultural communication skills
- Excellent technical English as well as Croatian mother tongue
- Availability to travel throughout Croatia and abroad, when required
- Good IT/digital skills.
The working language is English.
How to apply:
Applications must include a CV in English and a covering letter explaining suitability for, and interest in, the job. Only applications received electronically through the link "send an application" will be taken into consideration.
Application deadline: 28 September 2020, 19.00 hours Croatian time.
Desired start date: As soon as possible, but not later than 1 December 2020.
Applicants will be contacted for interviews within 1 week of the closing date for applications. Candidates who are not invited for an interview should assume their application to be unsuccessful.
Contact persons:
Ms. Anne Lise Rognlidalen ,
Programme Director, "Business Development and Innovation Croatia"
Phone: +47 976 85 755