EU Partnerships and Business Development Representative 80 – 100%

EU Partnerships and Business Development Representative 80 – 100%

Site

Belgium , Brussels-Capital , Brussels

Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Date of last update: 2026-08-31 (Expiry date: 2026-09-15)

Helvetas is a civil-society organization committed to bringing about real change through cooperative partnership with people in developing countries. We are looking for motivated coworkers who want to take part in our efforts to effect change.

At Helvetas we practice an open organizational culture in a multicultural working environment in which coworkers can actively participate and celebrate successful missions together. We offer attractive continuing education and advanced training options so our coworkers can learn and develop both personally and in their professional capacity. We espouse a socially responsible and family-friendly personnel policy with maternity and paternity leave exceeding the statutory minimum, flexible working hours and various health promotion options.

Helvetas is the largest Swiss NGO dedicated to development cooperation and humanitarian response, and a key partner in Swiss bilateral cooperation. Active in 35 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe, Helvetas works for a just world in which all people determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner.

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation is one of the seven member organisations of Alliance2015, a strategic network of European NGOs working dedicated to humanitarian aid and development cooperation. We are currently seeking for a motivated professional to be based in Brussels, Belgium. Alliance2015 will support Helvetas in contracting this position. The expected starting date is 1st November 2026 or upon agreement.

The EU Partnerships and Business Development Representative represents and positions Helvetas towards EU institutions and other relevant organisations in Brussels. The position combines two components of equal importance with different levels of engagement: (1) working as part of the Eastern Europe Regional Program team to lead and actively shape EU-related business development, with a focus on specific EU funding instruments, the EU accession agenda, partner identification and program development; and (2) acting as Helvetas' EU Partnerships and Business Development Representative for the organisation and its programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with a broader focus on EU business intelligence, positioning and opportunity development. The role includes representing Helvetas within the Alliance2015 Brussels office and contributing to the network's joint EU engagement. Through active representation, network-building and business intelligence, the position aims to strengthen Helvetas' positioning towards EU institutions.

MAIN TASKS

• Lead and coordinate EU-related business development initiatives for the Eastern Europe Regional Program (including Western Balkans).
• Build networks and relationships with EU institutions and potential partner organisations relevant to the EU accession and neighbourhood process and the Western Balkans transition agenda.
• Coordinate with members of the Eastern Europe / Western Balkan's regional office of Helvetas to ensure engagement and visibility at relevant EU-related events.
• Act as Helvetas' EU Partnerships and Business Development Representative, representing the organisation's global work towards EU institutions and other relevant organisations in Brussels and drive access to EU funding sources.
• Act as EU Key Account within Helvetas, compiling and making available information on relevant EU funding instruments (global), events and other business intelligence.
• Build and manage Helvetas' relationships and visibility with EU institutions, INGO networks and other relevant Brussels-based organisations.
• Contribute (approx. 20% of overall time) to the work of Alliance2015, based at the network's Brussels Office.
• Identify synergies between Helvetas' and Alliance2015 members' EU engagement interests and coordinate joint representation where relevant.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in international development, European affairs/EU studies, business administration, political science, or a related field.
• Professional certification in a relevant thematic area of work preferred.
• At least 7 years of experience in business development, fundraising, or program development within an INGO or development organisation.
• Expertise on and experience with EU institutions and programs, proven track record in securing fund