Location: Bergamo (home-based with frequent field missions), Italy
WORKCONTEXT: CESVI is a secular and independent humanitarian organization founded in Bergamo in 1985, operating in over 20 countries to support the most vulnerable populations in achieving their aspirations and sustainable development while respecting human rights. Guided by the ideals of social justice, CESVI works to improve the well-being of people living in poverty or affected by war, natural disasters and environmental catastrophes.
CESVI's global strategy aims to expand and improve its humanitarian work; strengthen interventions in Protection, Production Chains and Income Generation, and Climate Impact Response; and deepen its commitment to people, partners, donors and society. The International Programmes Department is analysing funding opportunities from institutional, national and international donors as well as private foundations and companies, and participation in calls for proposals is expanding rapidly, creating a need to strengthen project design activities with dedicated staff.
JOB DESCRIPTION: The collaboration will start in September 2026. The position is home-based with frequent field missions (at least 50% of the time). The Program Support & Development Officer (PSDO) reports to CESVI's Head of International Department and will contribute to the development of new project proposals in CESVI's countries of operation, and support management and supervision of ongoing projects in strategic operational contexts.
The PSDO manages and coordinates the project design process with the internal team and relevant partners, ensuring adherence to deadlines and compliance with donor requirements, and works closely with other units of the International Programmes Department during design and implementation.
Tasks: Develop and draft project proposals for major Italian and international donors, in particular ECHO, INTPA, AICS and major U.S. and European government agencies, in both development and emergency contexts; oversee the entire project design process in collaboration with the department team (project concept, logical framework, drafting and revising texts, budget preparation, monitoring and evaluation plan, finalizing project documents per donor guidelines); conduct field missions abroad to carry out project design, including needs assessments; prepare the formal documentation to be submitted with the proposal; actively support, through field missions, the set-up and supervision of selected strategic ongoing projects and contribute to intermediate and final narrative reports.
Essential requirements: Bachelor's degree with training/specialization in Project Cycle Management (PCM); at least 3 years' prior experience designing multisectoral international cooperation projects for both emergency response and development; in-depth knowledge of proposal writing methodologies (PCM, Logical Framework,
Theory of Change) and all phases of project design and cycle management; proven experience designing projects for major institutional donors such as ECHO, INTPA, AICS and major U.S./European government agencies; excellent written and spoken Italian and English with project design terminology (Spanish a plus); solid skills in developing highly complex budgets; excellent organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal and intercultural communication skills; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; flexibility, autonomy and availability to travel abroad; excellent knowledge of MS Office and online communication platforms (Teams, Zoom, GMeet).
Desirable: previous project design/management experience in environment, entrepreneurial development, job creation in agricultural and non-agricultural supply chains, and protection of women and children; knowledge of SMART assessment tools (Google Forms, Kobo, NEAT+); other languages (particularly French and Spanish); experience writing proposals for companies and/or grant-making foundations.
Contract duration: 6 months, renewable. Salary range: € 2.300 - € 2.500 gross per month. Insurance coverage provided.
Closing date: 23/08/2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the CESVI vacancy page (job code 30_PSDO). Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly encouraged. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates contacted for an initial interview will be updated on the status of their application. Safeguarding checks, including criminal record checks/disclosure of previous convictions, form part of the selection process, and suitability for the position is assessed by the Organisation's Occupational Doctor before departure on mission.