Western Balkans - Pool of media professionals

The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is a grant-making organisation established by the European Union Member States and the European Union institutions to foster and encourage democratisation and deep and sustainable democracy. EED was established as an independent private law foundation with its seat in Brussels.

EED has a network of consultants to help provide its Secretariat with knowledge consultancy services as well as technical assistance to grantees. This work includes input during assessment of grant applications, coaching of the partners before, during and after grant implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Western Balkans is one of the regions within the EED geographic mandate, and independent media are among the main beneficiaries of EED support.

EED is looking is looking for various profiles of professionals in the media field to be engaged under a framework contract on a full-time, short-term, or task-specific basis, initially for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

The consultants will be selected based on their experience, knowledge and skills in the fields of media development and production. Advanced level of English and BCSM (Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian-Montenegrin) languages is required.

Place of duty: The assignments will take place online with travels to Brussels, or the following countries of the Western Balkans: Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Exceptionally, the consultant may be requested to attend events in other countries in Europe.

Responsibilities

• Assessment of applications: Support assessments and processing of Grant proposals of media outlets and other actors that perform media function: The consultants will be requested to contribute to the assessment of Grant proposals, including content assessment and relevance of the applicants.

• Coaching: the consultant may be requested to coach applicants following initial requests for support, to help them refine their proposals to be considered for EED support, in the field of the consultant’s expertise.

• Analysis of media sector: EED may require analysis of the situation in the media sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, as well as global trends in the consultant’s fields of expertise. The consultant will elaborate reports and updates that would provide such analysis, with a focus on the relevance for EED support and activities EED is supporting in the region.

• Monitoring and Technical Assistance: Based on the request from the EED Secretariat, the consultant will monitor the awarded grants and provide specialized coaching to media actors that EED is supporting in the region. This may include providing regular feedback and assessment of the progress of EED supported initiatives, review of the reports, provision of technical assistance within the scope of their expertise.

Fields of expertise (not limited to) – please add your fields of expertise in your motivation letter:

• Production:

- Content production (writing)

- Editing

- Production of multimedia content – video, audio

- Digitalisation

- Innovative storytelling forms

- Mobile Journalism

- Multimedia newsgathering and storytelling

• Business development:

- Media business development

- Digital Marketing

- Crowdfunding

- Fundraising for media

- Strategic planning

- Revenue diversification

• Audience:

- Audience measurement and valuation

- Platform convergence

- Journalistic standards and ethics

- Social media

Other fields.

Communication and reporting

The consultant will work under the direct guidance of the EED Programme Manager and under the general supervision of the EED Director of Programmes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent standard of education;

• Deep knowledge of the media environment in the Western Balkan Region;

• Fluency in BCSM (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian/Montenegrin) and English required;

• Minimum 7 years of experience in the media sector;

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite and common online and social media platforms;

• Ability to build trust with independent media outlets and other relevant stakeholders;

• Must be self-reliant, resourceful, good problem-solver, flexible and reliable;

• Ability to work independently, efficiently and reliably, to a high standard and to deadline;

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners;

• Preferred: skills and experience in providing mentoring and training;

• Relevant professional experience in the media sector;

• Ability to keep full confidentiality about all assigned tasks and related documentation as well as able to exercise confidentiality, discretion and tact when dealing with media partners;

• High personal and professional standards;

The consultancy contract fee rate shall be based on a competitive consultant fee in the sector, depending on level of experience. The fee is paid per day worked and is based on a flexible arrangement depending on workload. The number of engagement days will vary based on the needs and the consultant’s availability.

Application Process

Please submit your CV, short motivation letter outlining which field of expertise you have, a proposed daily fee and contact information for two referees. After successfully submitting your application, you will receive an automatic email confirming receipt of your application. Please no phone calls/emails/letters.

The application deadline is 7 June 2025, at midnight Brussels time.

Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every application, therefore only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. The information provided in the applications is subject to EU legislation on protection of personal data and confidentiality of information.