Job Description
Title: Program Manager - Economic Development
Term: Full-time employment (40 hrs. per week)
Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of extension
Location: Regional Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation, Austrian Embassy Pristina, Kosovo
Background and Objective
Under the supervision of the Head of Office, the Programme Manager will support and oversee the implementation of ADA’s portfolio in sustainable economic development, with a specific focus on:
- Private sector development for inclusive and green growth, particularly in rural areas
- Climate-resilient agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) • Environmental mainstreaming and climate change adaptation
- EU-aligned green transition processes
The role includes support to a planned EU–ADA co-funded project under IPA, which is currently under development and aims to contribute to improved sustainable agri-food systems and alignment with EU standards.
Description of Tasks and Duties
Program and Project Management
- Support programme development and promote Austrian funding instruments, including bilateral (country and regional), multilateral, NGO and private sector partnerships;
- Assist partners in needs assessment, project design, and facilitate project appraisal and approval processes;
- Monitor and advise ADA-funded and pooled projects in sustainable economic development through results-based management and quality assurance; • Review and provide technical inputs to Terms of Reference, contracts, evaluations, and technical assistance processes;
- Provide strategic and technical advice to support evidence-based decision-making on the economic development portfolio, including sector analysis, programme design, risk management, and alignment with EU accession and green transition priorities;
- Contribute to ADA reporting requirements, including annual reports, results frameworks, and donor reporting (EU/IPA), ensuring high-quality, results-oriented, and timely inputs;
- Support knowledge management, lessons learned, and visibility requirements;
- Support the acquisition and implementation of third-party funded projects, in particular EU-funded initiatives, in the area of sustainable economic development. This includes facilitating efficient implementation, acting as a key coordination point with the EU Office in Kosovo and ADA HQ, and contributing to reporting processes (narrative and financial), monitoring and quality assurance.
Policy Dialogue and Coordination
- Support Austria and ADA in policy dialogue in sustainable economic development
- Provide analytical inputs on:
- o Climate-resilient and inclusive rural development
- o Agricultural and forestry systems
- o Green transition and EU alignment
- Monitor sector developments and institutional reforms
- Engage with national, regional, and international stakeholders
- Liaise with ministries, government institutions, EU bodies, donors, associations and civil society
- Participate in sector coordination platforms with Austrian, EU, and international actors
- Support and accompany high-level visits from Austrian institutions
- Maintain close coordination with ADA HQ
Cross-Cutting and Internal Support
- Ensure integration of:
- o Environmental sustainability
- o Climate change adaptation
- o Gender equality and inclusion
- o Conflict sensitivity
- Promote inclusive, gender- and conflict-sensitive approaches in programme implementation, including attention to non-majority communities
- Contribute to overall functioning of the Coordination Office
Profile Requirements
- University degree in Economics, Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Science, or related field;
- Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in donor-funded or donor implemented projects in the field of economic development, with a particular focus on green growth and inclusive rural development; experience in AFOLU sector and/or environmental protection and climate change adaptation is an asset;
- Thorough understanding of technical and financial aspects of project appraisal, development and implementation, preferably in rural development; strong knowledge of results-based project and programme cycle management; experience with EU delegated cooperation is an asset;
- Sound knowledge of the inclusive market system development approach, sustainable and climate resilient production, green jobs, AFOLU sector in Kosovo, including environmental protection and climate change adaptation;
- Proven experience in results-based monitoring and reporting;
- Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills; team player; ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure;
- Excellent computer literacy (MS Office, internet research, data handling);
Languages
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken), as the working language;
- Excellent command of either Albanian or Serbian, with good working knowledge of the other language considered a strong asset;
- Knowledge of German is considered an asset.
Diversity Statement
ADA is committed to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion in its work and workforce. Women and members of non-majority communities are particularly encouraged to apply.
If you wish to learn and grow in an interesting and friendly working environment and be part of dedicated, professional and dynamic team, we look forward receiving your application (Curriculum Vitae and Letter of Motivation) not later than 31 July 2026, 00:00 CET at pristina.application@ada.gv.at
Short-listed candidates will be contacted for further recruitment process.
