Europe Programme Officer - Balkans

Job Title : Europe Programme Officer - Balkans

Reports To: Europe Regional Manager

Status: Full-Time

Direct Reports: Interns/volunteers, where relevant. (At present, this role doesn’t have direct reports)

Contract duration: One year with the possibilities of extension depending on funding.

Compensation: EUR 30,000 to 40,000 per year depending on location and experience.

Location : IDC is remote-first, with office-based or co-working arrangements available in some countries. Candidates must already have the legal right to reside and work in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia. IDC cannot sponsor work permits or support relocation.

Background

International Detention Coalition (IDC) is a unique global network of over 200 civil society organisations and individuals in more than 75 countries, which coordinates with members and partners on advocacy, research, coalition and capacity building, to eliminate immigration detention and advance rights-based alternatives to detention.

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly organised and motivated individual with a solid background in advocacy on migration and human rights and a strong understanding of the Western Balkans context. The ideal candidate will coordinate projects and events efficiently, contribute to strategic advocacy efforts and support the development of the capacity of IDC members and partners. Strong communications, organisational, planning, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential.

Role Summary

The Europe Programme Officer - Balkans will play a key role in supporting IDC’s mission in the Balkans and the wider IDC Europe programme. Working closely with the Europe Regional Manager and with other team members, the Programme Officer will contribute to regional programmes, events and advocacy strategies, while providing operational, administrative, research and communications support. The role will also help strengthen networks with members, partners, decision makers and other key stakeholders across the Balkans and wider Europe. The Programme Officer should be available to travel as needed.

Role Responsibilities

Project implementation, admin support and support to IDC members and partners

• Contribute to the implementation of national and regional projects and events in the Balkans including Greece and wider Europe by providing technical, administrative, and logistical support to the Europe Regional Programme and in collaboration with relevant IDC staff and members.
• Support the overall implementation of IDC’s mission and strategic priorities in the Europe region, with a particular focus on the Balkans, through a balance of operational efficiency and advocacy engagement.
• Support IDC’s members and partners in the Balkans and Europe, including through network building and capacity strengthening activities.
• Maintain a high level of organisation in managing project timelines, deliverables, and follow-ups in coordination with the Europe Regional Manager.
• Support administrative processes related to finances and other relevant areas in the Europe Programme, including the Balkans portfolio.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the development and implementation of advocacy strategies related to immigration detention, alternatives to detention, and broader migrant and refugee rights, focusing on national contexts in target countries in the Balkans.
• Support IDC’s advocacy in relation to the European Union and its institutions where relevant to the Western Balkans accession processes, including monitoring EU migration and asylum policy, enlargement and accession-related developments, and contributing to coordinated advocacy with national, regional and European networks and partners.
• In coordination with the Europe Regional Manager and other relevant team members, engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including national and local government representatives, civil society actors, UN agencies, regional agencies, organisations and networks, to build partnerships and advance shared objectives.
• Contribute to drafting and disseminating advocacy materials, briefing notes, and strategic communications tailored to diverse audiences across the Balkans and wider Europe.
• Support research, data collection and evidence gathering on immigration detention and rights-based alternatives in the Balkans, to inform IDC’s advocacy, communications and programming.
• Maintain regular contact with IDC members and partners in the Balkans and Europe to identify policy gaps, advocacy opportunities, and spaces for support, partnership and coordinated action.
• Assist in the planning and facilitation of stakeholder consultations, trainings, and regional events that promote rights-based alternatives, pathways and regional dialogue in the Balkans.

Communication

• Assist with developing print and digital communication materials for the Balkans, including social media material for different platforms.
• Disseminate and share resources among members through different platforms.
• Contribute to monitoring media platforms and keep track of reports and updates on relevant developments in the Balkans and wider Europe.

Internal Systems, Monitoring, Fundraising, and Institutional Support

• Actively contribute to IDC’s fundraising efforts by providing background research, identifying potential funders, coordinating inputs, and playing an active role in the drafting of proposals aligned with Balkans and wider regional priorities.
• Ensure accurate and timely monitoring and reporting of programmatic activities, supporting internal evaluation processes and donor accountability in line with IDC’s MEL systems and relevant funders requirements.
• Maintain organised records of project outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and communications to support institutional memory and knowledge sharing.
• Assist in the preparation of high-quality reports, updates, and documentation for internal use, funders, and external dissemination.
• Support budget tracking, planning, and financial monitoring processes in collaboration with the Regional Manager, Executive Director, and relevant IDC team members.

Core Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and support within the IDC team.
• Demonstrate a passion for and alignment with IDC’s mission, vision and core values of innovation, collaboration, respect, representation and being solutions-focused.
• Demonstrate an understanding of IDC policies including IDC Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding policy to ensure a positive and safe working environment for all.
• Actively engage with organisational systems, processes, and infrastructure to ensure sustainability and appropriate safeguarding of institutional knowledge, assets and core activities over time.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of the European context, and specifically in the Balkans including Greece, particularly related to migration, asylum, human rights, and advocacy, including familiarity with national policy and legislative processes, regional cooperation mechanisms, and relevant EU accession and enlargement processes.
• Direct experience of advocacy or engagement with governments, institutions and civil society in the Balkans, and/or with EU institutions on migration, asylum or enlargement-related processes.
• A university degree in a relevant field such as international relations, law, migration studies, political science, social sciences or equivalent.
• A minimum of three years of professional experience, including project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy in the migration and/or human rights sectors, with relevant experience in the Balkans.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), stakeholder engagement, and supporting advocacy initiatives with civil society, government and international partners.
• Strong communication, writing, organisational and coordination skills, with experience in planning and delivering meetings, workshops and other events.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment, using initiative to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
• Proficiency in using digital communication tools and platforms, including social media.
• Ability to undertake travel in the Balkans and wider Europe for the role.
• Residing in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
• Strong commitment to IDC’s mission and values, including its safeguarding and child protection principles.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within networks or coalitions, including facilitating collaboration and peer learning among diverse member organisations.
• Knowledge of immigration detention and rights-based alternatives to detention in the Western Balkans context.
• Proficiency in Serbian and/or Albanian is a strong asset.
• Experience in regional cooperation mechanisms is a strong asset.

Application Process

To apply for this role, please upload your resume and a cover letter on IDC Careers’ Webpage, by 16 October 2026. Please ensure that you clearly address all of the key selection criteria in your application. If you have enquiries, please write to jobs@idcoalition.org. Please note that no application will be accepted if sent by email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selected candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible.

NB: All applications must be submitted in English.

We envision a world where immigration detention no longer exists. And we work with everyone to make that vision a reality.

We believe people should be able to live freely while they await the outcome of their immigration case, and we advocate for the human rights and dignity of everyone impacted by immigration detention.

IDC is solutions-focused, meaning that we work with lived experience leaders, governments, decision-makers, civil society, UN agencies and other actors to deliver alternatives that benefit migrants, communities and society at large.

We are truly global, uniting a coalition of civil society organisations, community groups and individuals from all over the world. While the movement spans continents, we all have a clear purpose: to reduce and ultimately end immigration detention and to promote alternatives.

IDC values diversity, equality and inclusivity. Applications are welcome from all backgrounds. We especially encourage applications of those from underrepresented backgrounds, including but not limited to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, disability and religion. In particular, we highly encourage leaders with lived experience of the impacts of detention to apply. If potential candidates require any adaptations to usual recruitment processes, please do not hesitate to note this in your application.

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
• Proficiency in Serbian and/or Albanian is desirable.