Institutional Relations Manager

We are here to support communities hit by crises, restoring dignity and promoting choice.

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from our office in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. We are active in Africa, South America, the Middle East region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.

Do you have an extensive international network and solid experience with institutional donors such as USAID? Are you ready to use your knowledge and network for a non-profit organisation? Take this opportunity to work with us as our new

Institutional Relations Manager

(Apeldoorn, 32-40 hours)

Team

The Institutional Relations (IR) team provides 80% of ZOA’s income. Maintaining and building strong relationships with all main institutional donors (USAID, UN, ECHO, Dutch Foreign Affairs, INTPA, etc.) is critical to our mission. We submit strategic proposals which showcase our expertise and unique approach in each country and context thereby helping increase our global impact.

Position

As our new Institutional Relations Manager, you are responsible for identifying and creating funding opportunities in the U.S.A. (USAID), Canada and within the UN bodies. Together with Joanne, the IR team manager, you shape our new IR strategy ensuring sufficient institutional funds to implement the new ZOA strategy. You support the country teams with their institutional fundraising. This includes collaboration with colleagues from other departments (programmatic, fundraising and communication and lobby).

Your challenge?

Optimising access to opportunities for (UN and American) institutional funding of programmes.

In this position you focus on:

1. Initiating and fostering successful and sustainable relations with institutional donors, international foundations, and other stakeholders by:

• Expanding our donor portfolio through research, networking, and by presenting ZOA to potential donors.
• Managing relations with UN and American institutional donors.
• Contributing to the corporate positioning of ZOA towards institutional donors, in forums and other information/sharing groups.
• Being a sparring partner and info desk for colleagues worldwide.

2. Contributing to the expertise and capacity of staff globally in acquiring, using, and reporting on institutional funding by:

• Detecting funding opportunities from institutional donors of programmes and actively informing programme management at head office and in the countries.
• Assisting in developing country donor strategies, including local institutional donors, and jointly visiting them.
• Collecting and distributing knowledge of and experiences with the methodology and specific characteristics (“rules and regs”) of institutional donors.
• Assisting or leading in proposal development, collaborating with country staff, also on location.

3. Contributing to ensuring donor compliance of proposals and reporting and assisting the internal system of quality control & improvement related to donor requirements and procedures.

“I am looking for an excellent networker, who can represent ZOA externally, connect internally to present our story, and can support our country offices with their institutional fundraising. Someone who simultaneously enjoys keeping up with all donor regulations while accurately assessing the implications for ZOA and keeping those involved informed.’’
Joanne van der Schee, team manager institutional relations

Your profile

Becoming successful as our new Institutional Relations Manager means that you:

• Preferably have a Masters’ degree in development studies, project management, business development or similar.
• Have several years’ experience working with institutional donors. Experience working with a UN organisation or with USAID is appreciated.
• Are an expert on USA donor compliance or willing to become one.
• Are an excellent networker and feel comfortable setting up and strengthening relationships.
• Think strategically and conceptually, are results oriented, and take initiative.
• Are excellent at prioritising, planning and organising your work.
• Are a source of inspiration and a bridge builder representing ZOA’s interests and communicating effectively externally as well as fostering collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Are willing and able to travel internationally several times per year.
• Have an excellent command of the English language.
• Are intrinsically motivated and driven to serve our target group.
• Fully support the vision, mission and Christian values of ZOA.

 We offer

Working with ZOA as Institutional Relations Manager means:

• A challenging position with the opportunity to further build the IR team and impact our work globally.
• The opportunity to work with colleagues from all over the world by visiting our programmes and witnessing first-hand the impact of our work.
• An international environment with a continuous focus on and desire to improve and innovate.
• Ability to work from home with flexible working hours.
• A one-year contract with the intention of an open-ended contract.
• An attractive salary of €3.498,- to €4.989,- (based on full-time, 40 hours) and good fringe benefits, including a 13^th month, 29 leave days, and a good pension plan.

 Interested and you want to apply?

Please apply on our website at the latest by February 10, 2023. If you have questions about this vacancy, please contact Joanne van der Schee, +31-616495465 or email J.vdschee@zoa.ngo. For questions about the recruitment process, please contact David Karelse at +31682568838 or d.karelse@karelserecruitment.nl. A valid EU work permit is required.

ZOA operates with an equal opportunities policy and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified women and men, people of all nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, and candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply.

Please note that, as part of its recruitment process, ZOA carries out background and reference checks (including COTER: check your name on counter-terrorism lists)  for all candidates. As ZOA participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a written questionnaire: the “Statement of Conduct”, which will be sent to past employers regarding Misconduct (such as sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment). During the procedure you can be asked to provide at least 3 references related to your previous employment listed in the application. References of previous positions held should not be older than five years.