Job vacancy: Russian-speaking Programme Manager

CCB • January 19, 2021

Temporary position for approx.1 year with start in May 2021.

Background

The Programme “Creating and sustaining positive change in key thematic areas related to water – strengthening the role of NGOs and civil society in Belarus and Russia”, supported by Sida, builds on a long-term vision that strong public demand for participation in water resources protection and management will lead to positive policy changes and an improved system of long-term public engagement in decision-making processes. The Programme interventions are based on a strong and active civil society, which plays a key role in creating and sustaining positive changes in the water-related practices and governance. The Programme promotes the work and activities of local NGOs, which are the key part in local civil society through their capacity building and technical support.


Job description

The primary function of a Programme manager is to make sure the Programme runs smoothly. Assistance in coordination of Sida funded environmental Programme in Belarus and Russia, focused on promotion of sustainable water management and capacity building implemented by local environmental NGOs, partners and experts in two countries.


On a day-to-day basis, Programme manager key responsibilities will typically involve maintaining Programme documentation, such as plans and reports; assigning tasks and controlling schedules; communicating the Programme’s goals, progress, results to team members, partners and other stakeholders, managing the Programme’s budget and reporting (to CCB Board and the donor).


These tasks require a flair for time management, excellent communication and organisational skills.


Programme manager responsibilities

Coordination

  • Handling holistic administration and coordination for the Programme, providing administrative support to management.
  • Ensuring all parts of an assigned Programme are processed, organized, and progressing according to predetermined timelines and deliverable dates
  • Assisting and supporting the Programme director.
  • Designing and controlling the Programme schedule.
  • Ensuring deadlines are met.
  • Assisting in assigning tasks to relevant parties and check in for status updates.
  • Delegating tasks to team members in Belarus and Russia.
  • Initiating, organising and attending Programme and stakeholder meetings.
  • Organising Programme meetings and ensuring proper documentation and recording.
  • Tracking and communicating Programme risks and opportunities.
  • Analysing Programme progress and, when necessary, adapting scope, timelines, and costs to achieve planned results.
  • Coordinating internal and external resources, ensuring implementation within scope, schedule, and defined budgets for the overall Programme level and for each individual partner.
  • Supporting partners and management team with capacity building activities related to planning, reporting and monitoring.


Communication

  • Initiating and supporting commutation activities to update donor, management, board and other stakeholders on the Programme’s progress and success stories.
  • Administrating external and internal communication for the Programme.
  • Liaising with partners to determine the Programme’s objectives.
  • Facilitating contacts between Programme partners and the CCB Network.
  • Preparing information for media and social media about the Programme.
  • Acting as a point of communication between Programme and external actors.


Financial issues

  • Following up regularly on financial reporting and Audit requirements according to the agreements for both the CCB’s financial officer and for Programme partners who might need assistance
  • Tracking Programme budget and have a good picture of financial picture of the Programme implementation.
  • Handling financial queries.
  • Supporting preparation and approving of budgets for partners’ agreements. 
  • Being able to provide financial overview for the Programme and spending.
  • Compiling financial report for the Programme.
  • Controlling and administrating contacts with local auditors


Reporting

  • Following up on Programme activities with partners related to relevant indicators and fulfilment of Programme goals and objectives.
  • Reporting Programme outcomes and/or risks to the appropriate management channels as needed—escalating issues as necessary based on work plans.
  • Developing and improving reporting routines and templates for partners
  • Collecting partner reports (narrative and financial) and compiling joint reports for the Programme.
  • Supporting monitoring expert(s) and jointly developing monitoring report for the Programme with clear links to the fulfilment of the Programme objectives.


Logistics

  • Initiating, supporting and being responsible for arrangements for the meetings and events on the Programme level including accommodation and travels related to Programme implementation


Skills and Qualifications

  • At least Bachelor’s degree in related field.
  • 3+ years’ project management experience.
  • Computer proficiency in MS Word, Power Point and Excel.
  • Russian and English language fluency (reading, writing, speaking).
  • Strong verbal and presentation skills.
  • Professional certifications in Project management are of additional merit.


Personality

  • Diplomatic
  • Resilient
  • Tactful


Job place and working conditions:

This full-time, but time limited position will play a critical role in the CCB International Secretariat’s, with a focus on Eastern European work of the Coalition Clean Baltic and its 24 NGO member organizations advocating across the Baltic Sea catchment. You will work closely with the team in Uppsala to ensure effective implementation of CCB’s projects and initiatives.


As soon as current travel restrictions will be lifted, some travel will be necessary in relation to the Programme. You may also need to be able to participate in occasional meetings on weekends, since the network consists partly of volunteers who dedicate their spare time to environmental activism.


Salary comparable to NGO staff in Sweden and in accordance with the Collective Agreements of the respective Unions.


Location: CCB’s office is located Uppsala, Sweden, but remote work is possible even after the pandemic restrictions are lifted.


It is expected that you would start from 1 May 2021 at the latest.


How to send us your CV and motivational letter

Should you be interested in applying for this position please send you CV with a motivational letter by 1 March 2021 to secretariat@ccb.se.


Likewise, any inquiries related to this vacancy announcement should be forwarded to the above email or by phone to Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at +46 739 770 793.

By CCB April 9, 2025
Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB is a politically independent network, uniting 27 environmental non-profit organizations, as well as partners and experts from 11 countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea region by encouraging new and constructive approaches and engaging people to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. CCB Secretariat is based in Uppsala, Sweden.
By CCB April 7, 2025
European civil society organisations (CSOs) are currently facing an attack coming from certain Members of the European Parliament. Spearheaded by some MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP) and by far-right groups, this attack resorts to misleading arguments to fabricate a scandal. This portrayal has been amplified through the media, with notable exceptions of articles that attempted to clarify this misleading narrative. European CSOs are crucial to ensure the voices of citizens from different parts of Europe are heard in the EU institutions. Attacks against civil society are unfortunately not new and are exacerbated by this harmful idea. Furthermore, for-profit corporate lobbying is through the roof when compared to non-profit advocacy. In 2024, the 50 corporations with the largest lobbying budgets collectively spent nearly €200 million on lobbying the EU alone (66% more than in 2015). Comparing this to the funding environmental NGOs receive under the LIFE programme - €15.6 million annually of a €700 million yearly budget - truly shows the weakness of this ‘scandal’. This is why over 570 civil society organisations from 40 countries, including all EU Member States, have joined forces to call on those in power to act now and ensure that civil society is adequately funded and enabled to share our crucial perspectives . In this statement, we address: The source of this false narrative; Inaccurate claims made about how CSOs obtain and use funding; Why it’s paramount that CSOs receive sufficient funding; The need for civil dialogue to enable CSOs participation. Democracy is about the right of citizens to be collectively heard for building an inclusive society and a shared European future; properly funded independent CSOs are a crucial tool for that. We call on decision-makers to ensure civil society organisations can thrive and play their role in interacting with policy-makers in order to have a more fully informed decision-making process. Read the full statement here . -END Civil Society Europe (CSE) is the coordination of civil society organisations at EU level. Through its membership, CSE unites EU-level membership-based organisations that reach out to millions of people active in or supported by not-for-profits and civil society organisations across the EU. CSE was created by several civil society organisations as a follow-up to the European Year of Citizens and was established as an international not-for-profit under Belgian law in 2016. Since then, it has become the point of reference for EU institutions on transversal issues concerning civil dialogue and civic space.