Context

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) is an intergovernmental organization composed of 35 member states that supports democracy worldwide. Headquartered in Stockholm and with field offices in 18 countries, it promotes sustainable democratic change by providing comparative knowledge, assisting in democratic reform, and influencing policies and politics. The Institute’s key impact areas are: electoral processes, digitalization and democracy, constitution-building, democracy assessments, as well as political participation and representation. International IDEA supports democratic change through its convening potential at the country, expert, and international levels. It works in the spirit of peer dialogue, nurturing an open and pluralistic understanding of democracy that is respectful of the national context.

Based in Brussels, International IDEA’s Regional Europe Programme (REO) implements democracy assistance projects in young democracies across Europe and liaises with European Union institutions and Member States. With the support of its field offices in Albania, Moldova and Ukraine, the Institute supports extensively the integrity of elections in EU enlargement countries, helping national institutions to address emerging issues of digitalization and democracy, cybersecurity, foreign interference and malign information, online campaigning and impact of AI, and liaising them with EU institutions.

International IDEA expands its engagement through the second phase of the project “Closing the Digital Gap on Elections in EU Accession”. Building on the Institute’s networks among electoral authorities across the EU candidate and potential candidate countries and EU policymakers in Brussels, the project seeks to foster dialogue and exchanges between stakeholders across the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe—including electoral authorities, policymakers, experts and civil society actors—and relevant EU institutions. It does so through a combination of consultative mapping exercises, research, peer exchanges, capacity-building activities, and policy dialogues in Brussels and across the EU enlargement region.

The Associate Project Officer (APO) will support the planning and implementation of project activities, in close cooperation with the Tirana-based Project Coordinator/Officer, and under the supervision of the Brussels-based Programme Manager. They will support the planning, design, implementation, communication, and reporting of relevant project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supports the implementation of project initiatives and activities, contributing to work planning, operational coordination and the timely delivery of project outputs;

2. Conducts background research, stakeholder mapping and information gathering to support project design, implementation and decision-making;

3. Collaborates closely with project team members in Brussels and Tirana to coordinate activities, share information and ensure consistency across project components;

4. Supports engagement with electoral authorities, civil society organisations, EU institutions, consultants and service providers, facilitating communication and follow-up on project activities and partnerships;

5. Assists in the organisation and delivery of project events, workshops, trainings and study visits, including participant coordination, agenda development, logistical arrangements and post-event follow-up;

6. Contributes to the implementation of communication and outreach activities, including the preparation of content for digital platforms, publications and stakeholder engagement initiatives;

7. Collects, organises and analyses project information, including activity data, stakeholder feedback, testimonials and communications materials, contributing to project reporting and documentation;

8. Supports the development of knowledge products and research outputs by conducting desk research, drafting background materials, reviewing content and facilitating dissemination activities;

9. Maintains stakeholder databases and supports the establishment and maintenance of professional networks and partnerships relevant to the project's objectives;

10. Contributes to monitoring, evaluation and learning processes through data collection, documentation of results and lessons learned, and support to evidence-based reporting in line with project and donor requirements.

General Profile

•  Requires good knowledge, excellent skills and experience in the field of democracy assistance;

• Will contribute to different aspects of the project life cycle, and will support the projects vis-à-vis all internal and external stakeholders;

• Adds value to team-based activities in their unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute as required;

• Can be expected to travel to any geographical area involved in their projects (Brussels and EU enlargement countries);

• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;

• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism;

• Integrates gender equality, diversity, and social inclusion (GEDSI) considerations into all tasks and activities, in alignment with the Institute’s Core Values and commitment to the GEDSI policy.

Reporting line

• Programme Manager – Western Balkans;

Education and Experience

• University degree in political science, social science, law, international development or other relevant discipline;

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in democracy promotion, digitalization, the EU digital acquis (Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence Act, the European Media Freedom Act, and Network and Information Service Directive). and its impact on democracy and electoral processes. , supporting project implementation

• Experience supporting project implementation, including coordination, administrative tasks, reporting, and documentation of project activities and outputs;

• Demonstrated experience coordinating project activities, including workshops, trainings, meetings, and stakeholder events

• Experience engaging with a range of stakeholders (public institutions, civil society organisations, and project partners) is an advantage;

• Experience in conducting qualitative comparative research, data collection, and analysis is considered an advantage;

• Ability to prepare or contribute to written outputs, such as reports, briefing notes, meeting summaries, and project documentation;

• Fluency in English is required; Knowledge of Bosnian-Croatian-Montenegrin-Serbian (BCMS), or other languages of the Western Balkans constitutes an asset.

Terms of Contract:

• Local Post.

• Fixed term appointment for two (2) years (Renewable until April 2029, depending on performance).

• Remuneration - ALL 265 417 per month

Please note as this is a local post, International IDEA will bear no costs relating to the relocation of the selected candidate to the duty station. This position is open to those legally authorized to live and work in Albania for the duration of the contract. International IDEA is not able to support work permit applications. 

Use of AI in Recruitment
International IDEA places strong emphasis on human input in recruitment. Candidates must disclose any use of AI tools. All application materials, written assessments, and interview responses (as applicable) must be entirely human-generated and reflect the candidate’s own knowledge, skills, and experience. The use of AI to generate content or misrepresent qualifications is not permitted. AI‑powered assistive technologies (such as screen readers or speech‑to‑text tools) may be used for accessibility purposes to ensure equal access to the recruitment process.

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CEST) 19 July 2026. 

• Please note that all applications must be made in English.

Selection Process:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include a written test assessment and up to two (2) interviews.

• Candidates selected to proceed to the next stage of the process will be contacted once all applications have been carefully reviewed.

• All candidates will be notified of the status of their application via email once the process has been finalized.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, International IDEA will review applications on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. Applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early.

International IDEA is an equal-opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality.