Program Officer

About the Limelight Foundation

Based in Amsterdam, Limelight Foundation (Limelight) is Europe’s leading journalism fund. By providing long-term, flexible funding to independent media and civil society organizations, we strengthen Europe’s information infrastructure. We support newsrooms that hold those in power to account and keep the public informed. But independent reporting only matters if people can access and trust it. That’s why we also invest in oversight of the tech companies that control the flow of information. Since our founding in 2021, we have made over 100 grants totaling €22.9 million. Working with several donors, we currently have 55 active grantee partnerships.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to get to know and support courageous newsrooms and NGOs across Europe. We have ambitious plans to scale up our support for European journalism and expand our grant-making activities in the coming years. Working closely with the Program Manager, Program Officer, and the Director, the Program Officer plays a crucial role in this growth by evaluating proposals, monitoring existing grant relationships, and developing in-house expertise.

Critical to our success is a program team with the skills and experience to build a strong portfolio of strategically aligned grantees. The ideal candidate has experience in journalism or tech accountability. We also value the lived experiences of those affected by the issues our work aims to address. We therefore encourage applications from journalists, human rights defenders, organizers, and technologists, particularly those from underrepresented communities. Experience working in philanthropy is not required.

Main responsibilities

• In close collaboration with the Program Manager, evaluate funding applications, conduct due diligence on donations, and prepare donation proposals for the Director and the board.
• Serve as a point of contact for Limelight Foundation’s current and future beneficiaries, building trusting relationships and monitoring their work, including reviewing reports.
• Maintain sound grant management to ensure financial and legal compliance.
• Identify and conduct research to expand the Limelight Foundation’s institutional knowledge regarding journalism and tech accountability.
• Represent the Limelight Foundation at external events and meetings, including conferences and within donor networks, and help expand the Limelight Foundation’s network. This will require occasional travel abroad.
• Perform other duties appropriate to the position.

Job Description

 Essential

• A university degree and at least five years of work experience in a relevant role.
• A good understanding of the impact of technology on the information ecosystem, and/or independent journalism and democracy.
•  An interest in how media organizations and NGOs operate and the challenges they face.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to support your own analytical reasoning and to navigate and anticipate the interests of various stakeholders.
• Ability to connect and network with a wide range of stakeholders and strong communication skills in English.
• A collaborative mindset and the confidence to take the initiative when needed.
• Organized, with an eye for detail and the ability to meet deadlines while managing competing priorities.
• A high level of personal integrity and a commitment to Limelight's values.
• Must be eligible to work in the Netherlands and either currently reside in the Netherlands or be willing to relocate to the Netherlands for this role.
• Willingness to travel internationally on a regular basis.

Desirable

•  Experience reading financial documents, such as budgets and annual reports.
• Good working knowledge of a second European language.

Equality and diversity are central to our mission. We are committed to recruiting and retaining individuals from diverse backgrounds who reflect the communities in which we operate. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement listed above, we still encourage you to apply.

What we offer

• A competitive salary based on qualifications and experience, ranging from EUR 55,000 to 65,000 per year for full-time employment
• 27 days of paid leave (for full-time employees) and an 8% vacation allowance
• A one-year contract, with the possibility of extension
• A generous retirement plan
• A reimbursement program for the costs of your commute within the Netherlands.
• Excellent opportunities for personal growth
• We combine remote work with at least two days a week of in-office work at our office in central Amsterdam, depending on individual and organizational needs.
• A modest relocation allowance may be available to help cover the costs of moving to the Netherlands, if necessary, depending on the selected candidate’s circumstances.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position and believe you meet the qualifications, please apply by November 23, 2025, by sending your resume and cover letter to enquiries@limelight.foundation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The first interviews will be held online on December 8 and 9, 2025. The second interview will take place on December 16, 2025, and will be held in person in Amsterdam or online, depending on the candidate’s location.

Note: Candidates invited to the first round will be asked to complete an assignment that takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

If you have any questions, please contact Willem Lenders (Program Manager) at willem@limelight.foundation.