Vacancy Strategic Partnership Lead (32-36 hours)

Do you want to contribute to a fair world for everyone? A world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of origin, gender, religion or (sexual) orientation? VSO is an international development organisation with offices in 23 countries. Together with local partners, we identify local development challenges and co-develop solutions. Thanks to the commitment and knowledge of local and international volunteers, our programmes create lasting change in places where it is most needed. Last year, we reached 8.2 million people through our “Volunteering for Development” approach, facilitating  access to good healthcare, quality education and a decent livelihood.

In the area of resilient livelihoods and climate change, our impact ambition is to strengthen inclusive resilient local communities and economies ensuring food, job and income security for marginalised women, young people and people living with disabilities.

Do you want to join this mission by mobilising resources, partners and networks?

Your role?

In this position you are responsible for developing our relationships with important (potential) funders, such as institutional donors and foundations, and for creating partnerships with civil society organisations and other (consortium) partners. You take a key role in securing new income to sustain and grow our portfolio, with a specific focus on the field of resilient livelihoods, by writing winning proposals and developing competitive propositions. In terms of donors, VSO’s primary focus is on the EU, ECHO and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to a focus on expanding to other European governments and a number of foundations. Key tasks include:

Build strong relationships with donors and partners

• Taking the lead in positioning VSO towards the European Union and in Europe and our programme countries, in order to make good use of opportunities. Monitoring and/or influencing donor policies and trends.
• Build and maintain relationships with important contacts within donor organisations and their representative country offices (embassies, delegations). Support and advise others (e.g. country teams) within VSO regarding relationship management.
• Establish cooperation agreements with strategic partners regarding funding opportunities. Maintain relevant networks.
• During the implementation of programmes, ensure the relation with a donor is carefully maintained, financial and other guidelines are properly implemented, in collaboration with financial colleagues.

Develop winning propositions and proposals

• Raise VSO’s programme income, mainly in the area of resilient livelihoods, through the development of new programmes and initiatives.
• Developing capture plans that highlight VSO’s unique proposition for specific opportunities.
• Actively contributing to the writing process to arrive at competitive and innovative propositions and proposals.

With whom?

In this role, you will be working closely with global thematic experts in the livelihoods practice area and the thematic experts in global health and inclusive education, programme development specialists and a range of other VSO colleagues, including our country teams, with the aim of developing solid and competitive proposals, in line with VSO’s strategy.

You will be working as part of the enthusiastic team of VSO Netherlands (25 colleagues) in Utrecht, with two other colleagues in the business development team, that reports to the VSO Netherlands co-director. You are also part of the global business development team of VSO, that is dispersed over our offices in the United Kingdom, East Africa, Southeast Asia and the United States, with a matrix line to the head of this team.

Your profile

• At least 5 years of relevant experience and expertise in the field of institutional fundraising and business development.
• You have worked extensively with key European donors, experience with the EU or ECHO is a pre.
• Able to demonstrate previous success in securing funding and relations with key donors.
• Demonstrable expertise in the field of resilient livelihoods for the most marginalised, e.g. with a focus on access to jobs, food security or sustainable agriculture. VSO’s focus is mainly on East Africa and Southeast Asia. Experience in these regions is preferable.
• Able to drive the development of exciting and inspiring propositions and to lead key account management.
• Strong in building relationships. You pay attention to careful follow-up in relationship management and are experienced in negotiating collaboration agreements.
• You have excellent communication skills, are persuasive and easily create support for your ideas. High degree of organisational sensitivity and can work well with people from different backgrounds.
• You work easily under pressure and can manage tight deadlines.
• Excellent and provable writing skills in English.
• Opportunity to travel.
• As this role is based in Netherlands, you have the right to work in Netherlands.

Our offer

We offer:

• Working in a dynamic international organisation towards a great mission, with many opportunities for personal development.
• A contract of 32-36 hours for 1 year with a possibility of extension.
• Excellent working conditions; Collective Labour Agreement for Social Work.
• Salary: depending on experience, scale 10 minimum €3.285,- maximum € 4.927,- based on 36 hours.
• A monthly accrued individual budget (IKB); made up of 18% of the gross salary.
• A personal training budget.
• Possibility to work (partly) from home.
• VSO is located in Het Nieuwe Kantoor (HNK), an inspiring and contemporary environment within walking distance of Utrecht CS.

Apply now!

Are you enthusiastic about this role and do you meet the criteria in our profile, do not hesitate and apply immediately! Mail your motivation and CV in English no later than 12 March 2023, stating: vacancy Strategic Partnership Lead to Anita van Dijk: personeelszaken@vso.nl .

If you would like to know more about this position, please contact Irene Sleven, co-director VSO Netherlands: 030 2320600. The interviews will take place on 16, 17 March (first round) and 21, 22 March (second round). A reference check will be part of the recruitment process.

VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.