The International Detention Coalition (IDC) is inviting qualified professionals to apply for the position of Europe Programme Officer – Balkans, a full-time remote programme management role supporting migration, human rights, advocacy, research, communications, stakeholder engagement and regional programming across the Western Balkans and wider Europe.

The position offers an annual salary of EUR 30,000 to EUR 40,000, depending on the candidate’s location and experience, and is offered initially on a one-year contract with the possibility of extension depending on funding. The role is remote-first, although office-based or co-working arrangements may be available in some countries.

Candidates must already have the legal right to reside and work in one of the specified countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia. The organization states that it cannot sponsor work permits or provide relocation support.

The application deadline is 16 October 2026.

About the International Detention Coalition

The International Detention Coalition is a global network comprising more than 200 civil society organizations and individuals across more than 75 countries. The organization works with members and partners on advocacy, research, coalition building and capacity strengthening with the aim of eliminating immigration detention and advancing rights-based alternatives to detention.

IDC’s work involves collaboration with a broad range of actors, including civil society organizations, governments, decision-makers, UN agencies, regional institutions, community groups and people with lived experience.

The organization describes its approach as solutions-focused and emphasizes working with different stakeholders to develop alternatives that benefit migrants, communities and wider society.

The Europe Programme Officer – Balkans will therefore join an organization working at the intersection of migration, asylum, human rights, advocacy, policy, research and regional cooperation.

Europe Programme Officer – Balkans Job Overview

The Europe Programme Officer – Balkans will support IDC’s mission in the Balkans and contribute to the organization’s broader Europe programme.

The position involves working closely with the Europe Regional Manager and other IDC colleagues to support regional programmes, advocacy strategies, events, research, communications and stakeholder engagement.

The successful candidate will also contribute to strengthening relationships with IDC members, partners, decision-makers, and other stakeholders across the Balkans and wider Europe.

The organization is looking for someone who is highly organized, motivated and experienced in migration and human rights advocacy, with a strong understanding of the Western Balkans context. Strong communication, planning, organizational and stakeholder engagement abilities are particularly important for the role.

Because the position covers regional programming, the successful candidate should also be prepared to travel when required.

Key Details of the Job

• Job title: Europe Programme Officer – Balkans
• Employer: International Detention Coalition
• Department: Program Management
• Employment type: Full-time
• Work arrangement: Remote-first
• Contract: One year, with possible extension depending on funding
• Salary: EUR 30,000–40,000 per year, depending on location and experience
• Reports to: Europe Regional Manager
• Direct reports: Interns or volunteers where relevant; currently, the position has no direct reports
• Location eligibility: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia
• Travel: Required as needed within the Balkans and wider Europe
• Application language: English
• Deadline: 16 October 2026

What Will the Europe Programme Officer – Balkans Do?

The position covers several interconnected areas, including programme implementation, administration, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, communications, research, monitoring, fundraising and institutional support.

1. Project Implementation and Programme Support

One of the central responsibilities will be supporting the implementation of national and regional projects and events across the Balkans, including Greece and the wider European programme.

The Programme Officer will provide technical, administrative and logistical support to the Europe Regional Programme while working collaboratively with relevant IDC staff and members.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting implementation of national and regional programmes.
• Providing technical and administrative assistance for projects.
• Supporting regional events and programme activities.
• Helping implement IDC’s strategic priorities in Europe.
• Supporting members and partners through network building and capacity strengthening.
• Managing project timelines and deliverables.
• Following up on agreed actions and deadlines.
• Supporting financial and other administrative processes within the Europe Programme.

This means the position requires someone who can combine programme management and administrative coordination with advocacy and policy engagement.

2. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

Advocacy is a major component of the position.

The Programme Officer will support the development and implementation of advocacy strategies addressing immigration detention, alternatives to detention, migrant rights and refugee rights, particularly within national contexts in the Balkans.

The role also involves supporting IDC’s engagement with the European Union and its institutions, particularly where EU migration and asylum policies intersect with Western Balkan accession and enlargement processes.

The successful candidate may therefore be expected to:

• Monitor relevant EU migration and asylum policies.
• Follow developments relating to EU enlargement and accession.
• Contribute to national and regional advocacy strategies.
• Support coordinated advocacy with civil society networks.
• Engage with government representatives.
• Work with local and regional civil society organizations.
• Engage with UN agencies and regional institutions.
• Develop relationships with relevant organizations and networks.
• Help identify advocacy opportunities and policy gaps.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills will be important because the role requires coordination across government, civil society, international organizations and other regional actors.

3. Advocacy Communications and Policy Materials

The Programme Officer will also contribute to producing advocacy and communications materials.

This may include:

• Advocacy documents.
• Briefing notes.
• Strategic communications.
• Digital communications.
• Materials for different stakeholder groups.
• Social media content.
• Information and resources for IDC members and partners.

The ability to communicate complex migration and human rights issues clearly to different audiences will therefore be valuable.

The role also includes helping disseminate resources among IDC members and monitoring relevant media platforms for developments in the Balkans and wider Europe.

4. Research, Data Collection and Evidence Gathering

Research is another important part of the position.

The Programme Officer will support research and evidence gathering related to:

• Immigration detention.
• Rights-based alternatives to detention.
• Migration policy.
• Human rights.
• Regional developments.
• National policy environments.
• Advocacy opportunities.

The evidence collected will help inform IDC’s advocacy, communications and programme activities.

Candidates should therefore be comfortable conducting research, identifying relevant information, monitoring policy developments and translating evidence into useful programme or advocacy outputs.

5. Regional Networking and Partnership Building

The successful candidate will maintain regular contact with IDC members and partners across the Balkans and Europe.

This involves identifying:

• Policy gaps.
• Advocacy opportunities.
• Potential partnerships.
• Areas where members require support.
• Opportunities for coordinated action.
• Opportunities for regional dialogue.

The Programme Officer will also assist with planning and facilitating stakeholder consultations, trainings and regional events that promote rights-based alternatives, pathways and dialogue across the Balkans.

Experience working with networks and coalitions can therefore be particularly useful for this position.

6. Communications Responsibilities

The role includes practical communications responsibilities.

The Programme Officer will assist with developing print and digital communication materials for the Balkans, including social media content for different platforms.

The successful candidate will also:

• Share resources with members through different communication platforms.
• Monitor media platforms.
• Track relevant reports and developments.
• Support dissemination of information.
• Contribute to communications around programme and advocacy activities.

This aspect of the position may be particularly relevant to professionals with experience in communications, public information, advocacy communications, digital media or strategic communications alongside migration or human rights work.

7. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

The Programme Officer will contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning activities within the Europe Programme.

Responsibilities include supporting:

• Accurate and timely monitoring.
• Programme reporting.
• Internal evaluation processes.
• Donor accountability.
• Documentation of project outcomes.
• Tracking stakeholder engagement.
• Recording communications activities.
• Institutional knowledge management.

The role requires the successful candidate to maintain organized records and help ensure that programme information is available for internal learning, reporting and external dissemination.

Experience with MEL systems, reporting and documentation is therefore specifically relevant to the position.

8. Fundraising and Proposal Development

Fundraising is also included among the responsibilities.

The Programme Officer will actively contribute to IDC’s fundraising efforts by:

• Conducting background research.
• Identifying potential funders.
• Coordinating contributions from relevant team members.
• Supporting proposal development.
• Helping ensure proposals align with Balkans and wider regional priorities.

The role may also involve budget tracking, planning and financial monitoring in collaboration with the Regional Manager, Executive Director and other relevant IDC colleagues.

Candidates with experience supporting donor proposals, fundraising research, grant applications, programme budgets, or donor reporting may therefore find this aspect of the position particularly relevant.

9. Teamwork, Safeguarding and Institutional Support

Beyond technical responsibilities, the Programme Officer is expected to contribute positively to IDC’s internal working culture.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Promote collaboration and teamwork.
• Support colleagues.
• Demonstrate commitment to IDC’s mission and values.
• Understand and follow relevant organizational policies.
• Support safeguarding principles.
• Engage with organizational systems and processes.
• Help protect institutional knowledge and organizational assets.
• Contribute to sustainable programme operations.

IDC highlights values including innovation, collaboration, respect, representation and being solutions-focused.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should carefully review the essential selection criteria because the position requires a combination of academic qualifications, professional experience, regional knowledge and technical skills.

1. Knowledge of the European and Balkans Context

Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the European context, particularly the Balkans and Greece, in relation to:

• Migration.
• Asylum.
• Human rights.
• Advocacy.
• National policy.
• Legislative processes.
• Regional cooperation mechanisms.
• EU accession processes.
• EU enlargement processes.

This is one of the most important requirements because the role is specifically focused on the Balkans.

2. Advocacy and Government Engagement Experience

Candidates must have direct experience with advocacy or engagement involving:

• Governments.
• Institutions.
• Civil society organizations.
• EU institutions.

Relevant experience should relate to areas such as

• Migration.
• Asylum.
• EU enlargement.
• Related policy processes.

3. University Degree

Applicants must have a university degree in a relevant discipline.

Examples listed by IDC include:

• International relations.
• Law.
• Migration studies.
• Political science.
• Social sciences.
• An equivalent relevant field.

4. Minimum Three Years of Professional Experience

The position requires a minimum of three years of professional experience.

Relevant experience should include areas such as:

• Project coordination.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Advocacy.
• Migration.
• Human rights.
• Work relevant to the Balkans.

5. Reporting, MEL, and Stakeholder Engagement

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• Reporting.
• Monitoring.
• Evaluation and learning.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Supporting advocacy initiatives.
• Working with civil society.
• Working with governments.
• Working with international partners.

6. Communication and Organizational Skills

Strong communication, writing, organization and coordination skills are essential.

Candidates should have experience planning and delivering:

• Meetings.
• Workshops.
• Events.
• Stakeholder engagements.
• Other programme activities.

7. Ability to Work Remotely

Because this is a remote-first position, applicants must be capable of working independently.

This includes:

• Managing competing priorities.
• Taking initiative.
• Meeting deadlines.
• Maintaining attention to detail.
• Working effectively without constant direct supervision.

8. Digital Communications Skills

Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in digital communications tools and platforms, including social media.

9. Ability to Travel

The successful candidate must be able to undertake travel throughout the Balkans and wider Europe when required.

10. English Language

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory.

All applications must also be submitted in English.

11. Commitment to IDC’s Mission and Values

Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to IDC’s mission and values, including its safeguarding and child protection principles.

Desirable Qualifications and Additional Skills

In addition to the essential criteria, IDC identifies several desirable qualifications.

These include:

• Experience working within networks or coalitions.
• Experience facilitating collaboration between diverse member organizations.
• Experience facilitating peer learning.
• Knowledge of immigration detention in the Western Balkans.
• Knowledge of rights-based alternatives to immigration detention.
• Proficiency in Serbian and/or Albanian.
• Experience with regional cooperation mechanisms.

Knowledge of Serbian or Albanian is described as a strong asset, rather than a mandatory requirement.

Where Is the Job Based?

The role is described as remote and IDC operates as a remote-first organization.

However, the job has a specific geographic eligibility requirement.

Candidates must already have the legal right to reside and work in one of the following locations:

1. Albania
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Greece
4. Kosovo
5. Montenegro
6. North Macedonia
7. Serbia

IDC states that it cannot sponsor work permits or support relocation.

This means that being interested in the role or being willing to relocate to one of these countries does not, based on the supplied job description, satisfy the requirement. Applicants must already possess the relevant legal right to reside and work.

Salary and Contract

The Europe Programme Officer – Balkans position is a full-time role.

The advertised compensation is

EUR 30,000 to EUR 40,000 per year, depending on the candidate’s location and experience.

The initial contract duration is one year, with the possibility of extension depending on funding.

The role currently has no direct reports, although interns or volunteers may report to the position where relevant.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This position may be relevant to professionals with backgrounds in areas such as

• Migration and refugee affairs.
• Human rights.
• International relations.
• Political science.
• Law.
• Migration studies.
• Social sciences.
• Advocacy.
• Programme management.
• Policy engagement.
• Civil society programming.
• Regional cooperation.
• Communications and public information.

However, applicants should note that having a general background in these areas alone is not sufficient according to the stated criteria. IDC specifically requires relevant professional experience, including experience connected to migration and/or human rights and the Balkans.

Diversity, Inclusion and Lived Experience

IDC states that it values diversity, equality and inclusivity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

The organization specifically encourages applications from people from underrepresented backgrounds, including with regard to:

• Gender.
• Race.
• Age.
• Sexual orientation.
• Disability.
• Religion.

IDC also particularly encourages leaders with lived experience of the impacts of detention to apply.

Candidates who require adaptations to the usual recruitment process are encouraged to indicate this in their application.

Application Process

Applicants interested in the Europe Programme Officer – Balkans position must submit:

• A resume/CV.
• A cover letter.

Applications must be submitted through the IDC Careers webpage.

The deadline is

16 October 2026

Applicants should ensure that their application directly addresses the key selection criteria rather than relying on a generic CV and cover letter.

The organization specifically asks applicants to clearly address the requirements outlined in the vacancy.

Applications must be submitted in English.

Importantly, IDC states that applications sent by email will not be accepted. The advertised email address is provided for enquiries rather than application submission.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and the selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

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How to Strengthen Your Application

Applicants should ensure that their CV and cover letter clearly demonstrate evidence against the selection criteria.

A strong application should make it easy for the recruitment team to identify relevant experience in:

Migration and Human Rights

Explain specific responsibilities and projects involving migration, asylum, refugees, detention, human rights or related policy issues.

Balkans and European Policy

Highlight direct experience with the Balkans, Greece, EU institutions, EU accession, enlargement, migration policy or regional cooperation.

Advocacy

Demonstrate experience developing or implementing advocacy strategies, engaging policymakers, supporting campaigns or working with government and civil society stakeholders.

Programme Management

Show experience managing projects, timelines, deliverables, meetings, workshops, events and partnerships.

Research and Reporting

Highlight research, evidence gathering, reporting, monitoring, evaluation and learning experience.

Communications

Demonstrate experience preparing written materials, briefing notes, digital content, social media materials or strategic communications.

Stakeholder Engagement

Identify examples of working with governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies, international organizations, regional institutions or other networks.

Fundraising

Where applicable, demonstrate experience researching donors, contributing to funding proposals, coordinating proposal inputs or supporting donor reporting.

Remote Working

Show evidence that you can work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver work to deadlines.

Visit HERE for more information about the International Detention Coalition Europe Programme Officer position.

Important Deadline

The deadline to apply for the International Detention Coalition Europe Programme Officer – Balkans position is:

16 October 2026

Applicants should submit their CV and cover letter through the IDC Careers webpage before the deadline.

The organization states that applications sent by email will not be accepted.

Conclusion

The International Detention Coalition Europe Programme Officer – Balkans position provides an opportunity for an experienced migration, human rights, advocacy or programme professional to contribute to regional work across the Balkans and wider Europe.

The role combines programme management, advocacy, research, stakeholder engagement, communications, monitoring and evaluation, fundraising support and regional networking, making it particularly relevant to professionals who can work across both strategic and operational responsibilities.

The position requires a relevant university degree and at least three years of professional experience, together with demonstrated knowledge of migration, asylum, human rights and advocacy in the Balkans or relevant European contexts. Applicants must also have the legal right to reside and work in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Serbia, as IDC does not provide work-permit sponsorship or relocation support.

With a salary of EUR 30,000–40,000 annually, a full-time remote-first arrangement and an initial one-year contract with possible extension, the position is structured for an experienced professional who can contribute independently while working closely with regional and international stakeholders.

The application deadline is 16 October 2026, and applicants are required to submit their CV and cover letter through the IDC Careers webpage in English.

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