Project reference: Strengthening Social Cohesion through Civil Society and Mass-Media in Moldova (COSMA)- Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
How to Apply
Please send your updated CV of max 3 pages to gdsivacancies@gdsi.ie by the 14 March 2026, ensure your email subject line reads “COSMA“.
Submission Deadline
All applications must be received by the 14 March 2026
Assignment Duration
The intended start date for the project is 01/07/2026, and the contract’s implementation period will extend over up to 48 months from this date
Location:
The primary place of operation will be Chișinău, Republic of Moldova. Travel within Moldova may be necessary.
About the Assignment:
Contribute to a flagship Swiss-funded governance and social cohesion programme in Moldova. As part of a dedicated Facilitation Unit, you will support civil society organisations and independent media to strengthen citizen-centred approaches, promote accountability, and foster social cohesion in a complex and highly dynamic context.
Project Description
Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), this vital initiative is designed to bolster social cohesion, democratic governance, and inclusive nation-building in Moldova.
The project aims to empower civil society organisations and mass media to function as agents of accountability, cohesion, and transformation, using citizens’ priorities as entry points.
The overarching goal is to contribute to a resilient and inclusive Moldovan society by strengthening citizen participation, accountability mechanisms, and the sustainability of civil society and independent media, particularly at the local level.
Expert Profiles
International Expert – Civil Society and Media Capacity Building / Grant Management
Qualifications and skills (Minimum requirements)
- Higher education degree in governance, public administration, social sciences, media or communication studies, peace-building, or a closely related field relevant to civil society development and democratic governance programmes.
- Demonstrated expertise in civil society and media sector capacity building, including support to CSOs, independent media, and community-based initiatives.
- Strong facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and mediation skills, particularly in multi-stakeholder environments.
- Proven experience in grant management, including design and oversight of grant schemes, support to grantees, and monitoring of funded initiatives.
General professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- At least 10 years of professional experience in areas such as civil society strengthening, media development, good governance, social cohesion, democratic participation, or peace-building.
- Experience working with internationally funded programmes or donor-supported initiatives.
Specific professional experience (Minimum requirements)
- Experience working in Romania and/or Eastern Europe, with a strong understanding of the regional civil society and media ecosystem.
- Demonstrated ability to translate research, innovative practices, and emerging approaches into practical programme implementation.
- Proven competencies in areas such as community engagement, media literacy, communication strategies, behavioural change communication, conflict resolution, policy advocacy, and participatory approaches.
- Practical experience with project cycle management (PCM), adaptive programme management, and organisational change processes.
- Experience integrating gender equality, social inclusion, and good governance principles in programme design and delivery.
- Experience coordinating with donor-funded projects, grant schemes, or multi-partner programmes.
- Familiarity with SDC-funded programmes or procedures would be considered an asset.
Language requirements
- Fluency in English.
- Fluency in Romanian is highly desirable; knowledge of Russian would be an additional advantage.