Desk Officer Country Office Management Balkans and Libya

Role summary

Desk Officer Country Office Management Balkans and Libya is a temporary role at CARE Deutschland e.V. in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (hybrid). Posted 2026-10-02. Experience level: 5-10.

Job title

Desk Officer Country Office Management Balkans and Libya

Company

CARE Deutschland e.V.

Location

Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Work arrangement

hybrid

Employment type

temporary

Category

Software Engineering

Experience level

5-10

Date posted

2026-10-02

Job description

About

Is this you?

Objective

CARE Germany is looking for a committed, solution-oriented and experienced professional to join the Country Office Management Team as Desk Officer for the Balkans and Libya portfolios. The position is based in CARE Germany’s office in Bonn and works closely with the respective Country Offices, CARE Germany teams and partners across the CARE Confederation. The position is initially offered as a fixed-term parental leave cover until 31 March 2028 , with the possibility of an extension.

The Desk Officer provides strategic, operational and programmatic support to the Country Offices in the Balkans and Libya, ensuring effective portfolio management, quality implementation, compliance and risk management. The position serves as a key link between the Country Offices and CARE Germany, facilitating coordination with donors, internal departments and CARE International structures.

The role covers the full project and programme cycle, including contract and grant management, programme quality and oversight, portfolio development and resource mobilization. The Desk Officer supports the Country Offices in developing and implementing their strategies, facilitates access to technical expertise and promotes the exchange of knowledge and good practices across the CARE network.

We are seeking a collaborative and solution-oriented professional with strong programme management and coordination skills, who enjoys working across teams and cultures and can build constructive relationships with Country Office colleagues, donors and internal stakeholders. The position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the strategic development and quality of CARE Germany’s engagement in the Balkans and Libya.

Your mission

You provide leadership and guidance regarding sound communication and coordination between donors and Country Offices. You build and maintain strong working relationships with CARE Country Offices and facilitate the implementation of CARE’s locally-led approach and partner s hip fram e work.

You ensure compliance with donor guidelines throughout project implementation by providing advice, training and ongoing support to CARE Country Offices and partner organisations within the portfolio, both virtually and in person. This includes – where needed - facilitating workshops on quality standards and donor requirements, in close collaboration with Technical Advisors and Financial Controlling.

You regularly monitor project progress, both virtually and on site, at activity, indicator and impact level. This also includes supporting and accompanying project evaluations and ensuring learnings are fed back with relevant teams.

You ensure Country Offices consistently apply CARE’s gender and other qualitative markers across new projects, facilitate the Project and Programme Information and Impact Reporting System (PIIRS) process, and contribute to qualitative discussions on programme quality and impact.

You support and supervise high-quality narrative interim and final donor reports, coordinate non-cost extensions and/or modification requests, and provide informal updates to donors on project progress as required.

You support Country Office’s strategy development and review processes in close cooperation with Country Office leadership.

You support resource mobilisation and strategic portfolio development through donor engagement, identification of funding opportunities, facilitation of relevant expertise, and, where required, leadership of donor applications, in close collaboration with the Projekt Entwicklung und Donor Engagement ( PEDE ) and Marketing und Partnership ( MAPA ) teams.

You work closely with Financial Controlling on financial monitoring, reporting and other project-related financial matters.

You support internal and external communication and represent CARE in relevant networks, forums and committees with donors, peer organisations and other stakeholders.

You support the Country Office risk management system by contributing to the development of administrative structures and programme support processes in cooperation with the CARE Germany Operations Team and in line with relevant CARE International and CARE Germany standards and guidelines, and proactively escalate identified compliance, reputational and other risks.

Your profile

You bring a completed university degree in a relevant field, such as International Development or Humanitarian Aid, Political or Social Sciences, Geography or a related discipline.

You bring at least 5-7 years of professional experience in development cooperation and/or humanitarian assistance, gained in Germany and internationally, preferably with an NGO and in programme -related roles. Experience with the Balkans and/ or Libya is an asset.

You bring strong experience and sound knowledge in project cycle management, compliance and strategic programme stewardship.

You have solid knowledge of one or more of the following donors: EU-INTPA, CERV, ECHO, BMZ and GIZ.

You have excellent written and spoken German and English skills and communicate confidently with internal and external stakeholders, including donors and larger stakeholder groups.

You are willing to take on a high level of responsibility and have the ability to navigate and adapt effectively to rapidly changing contexts.

You have a positive, energetic, solution- oriented and strategic mindset, and create an approachable and trusting environment where colleagues and stakeholders feel comfortable turning to you.

You are willing to travel regularly to the respective project regions.

You have a strong affinity for digital tools and are confident and experienced in using Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and digital Project Cycle Management databases and tools (NGO Online, PIIRs).

Requirements

Why us?

As an international organisation, we are committed to fostering a diverse working environment based on equity, incl