Head of Communication - FMO
Are you a dynamic and highly motivated professional looking to make a positive impact in Europe? Join our team as the new Head of Communication at the Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) in Brussels.
This position is open to nationals of EEA EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
About us:
The Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) - affiliated with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - carries out the day-to-day management of the EEA and Norway Grants. The Grants are Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway’s contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and strengthen bilateral relations and partnerships between the Donor States and the 15 Beneficiary States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia). EEA Grants are financed by the 3 donor countries whereas Norway Grants are financed solely by Norway.
We have entered the new funding period of the Financial Mechanisms 2021-2028 with a budget of 3.2 billion euros. At the same time, we are closing the old funding period of the Financial Mechanisms 2014-2021 with a budget of 2.8 billion euros.
The programmes in the new funding period will focus on these overall priorities:
- European green transition
- Democracy, rule of law and human rights
- Social inclusion and resilience
Why join the FMO?
At the FMO, we offer more than just a job - we offer a stimulating and diverse international workplace with a trust-based culture. Our team of more than 60 employees coming from the EEA region, bring a rich blend of experiences and knowledge to our daily operations. We work closely with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Donor States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), the 15 Beneficiary States and various international partners. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful environment where you can advance your career and contribute to a meaningful European cohesion.
Learn more:
If you're ready to take on a rewarding challenge and be part of a dedicated team working towards improving economic and social progress and strengthening cooperation and partnerships in Europe, we encourage you to apply. For more details about our work and the opportunities we offer, please visit our website at www.eeagrants.org.
Scope
We are looking for a hands-on, experienced Head of Communication to take a pivotal role in leading FMO’s communications service.
The Head of Communication leads a small team of communication professionals dedicated to promoting the opportunities created through the Grants and how we work with our partners for a green, democratic and resilient Europe.
As Head of Communication, you will have a central role in shaping and delivering the FMO’s communication strategy in close collaboration with the Donor States. That includes ensuring the creativity and quality of the EEA and Norway Grants’ website, FMO’s social media work, online campaigns, publications and events. You will lead the efforts to mainstream communication across all areas of FMO’s work. Your responsibilities include overseeing and supporting communication activities in the Beneficiary States. You will foster collaboration with a wide range of partners and support efforts to increase the visibility of the Grants in the Donor States, among EU institutions and international organisations. This role requires a strategic approach and hands-on leadership to ensure high-quality, timely and creative communication.
The Head of Communication reports to the Managing Director of the FMO and is part of FMO’s management team.
Tasks:
- Set priorities for the FMO’s communication work in alignment with overall goals;
- Ensure that communication becomes mainstreamed across all areas of FMO’s work;
- Lead and manage the team of communication professionals to deliver high-quality and timely outputs;
- Motivate the team members, foster strong team spirit, and coach and support them to enhance their skills and performance;
- Enable and facilitate communication collaboration with all partners, including the Donor States, Beneficiary States, international organisations and EU institutions;
- Provide training for and oversee communication activities organised by partners in the Beneficiary States;
- Develop, execute and maintain communication strategies and plans;
- Seize opportunities to give visibility to the Grants;
- Assess and advise on communication risks;
- Oversee the development of information material and give presentations about the Grants;
- Lead procurement of external services and manage relations with providers;
- Contribute to other activities of the FMO within your field of competence as required.
The position involves occasional travel.
Qualifications
A Master’s-level university degree in a relevant field.
Experience
- Minimum of 9 years of relevant professional experience;
- Experience in leading teams and mentoring others to deliver to high standard;
- Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies;
- Proven experience in overseeing multi-channel campaigns and coordinating with external agencies
Skills
- Excellent leadership and managerial skills;
- Excellent understanding of the strategic role of communication and information;
- Excellent drafting, editing and presentation skills;
- Excellent understanding of digital communication and relevant tools;
- Good understanding of the Donor States’ relevant policies and communication strategies;
- In-depth knowledge of Brussels communication landscape and the EU institutional environment;
- Skilled in stakeholder engagement and media relations;
- Strong analytical and organisational abilities, including project management;
- Ability to multitask and work to tight deadlines;
- Proactive and cooperative approach, strong team player;
- Resilient and self-reliant;
- Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
Languages
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (the working language of the FMO). Excellent oral and written communication skills in one of the Donor State languages (German, Icelandic, Norwegian).
Employment Terms
Grade: A5
Annual starting salary: EUR 130,620
Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the grade. The Director of the FMO reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level different from that advertised.
The FMO is an employer dedicated to the principles of diversity and equality. We are committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, with a healthy work-life balance.
We offer interesting and challenging positions in a dynamic and diverse environment and the opportunity to work in a team of highly qualified people. Salaries and related payments are exempt from taxation by the EFTA Member States, and as regulated in headquarters agreements, in the EFTA host states. Depending on the candidate’s family status, benefits and allowances may apply.
For further information on this position, please contact Eva Honningsvåg, Head of Communication, eva.honningsvag@efta.int, mobile +32 (0) 492 14 8173. For questions related to the recruitment process, please contact us by email at fmorecruitment@efta.int.
Please note that only applications received via our web tool (https://jobs.efta.int/home.html) will be considered.
Deadline for submission of applications: 9 November 2025.