Business Development and Institutional Relations – Brussels

Objective:

• Contribute to the consolidation and expansion of the portfolio of Ayuda en Acción (AeA) projects and programs funded by European institutional donors – including the European Union and bilateral donor agencies from European countries – through early identification of opportunities, business intelligence, and positioning before donors. The role primarily focuses on international development cooperation, while also encompassing support for humanitarian aid and social action in Spain and Portugal.

Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Institutional Fundraising Head of Unit and the EU Affairs Manager, design, lead AeA’s positioning efforts towards European institutional donors, building and nurturing ongoing relationships with key donor contacts at the EU institutions and European bilateral agencies.
• Lead business intelligence efforts to systematically monitor the European institutional funding landscape: monitor funding cycles, produce periodic intelligence briefs and funding landscape analyses to support strategic decision-making at the organisational level, and coordinate with key internal stakeholders — including Regional Departments, Country Offices, sectoral specialists, institutional relations, Program’s directors, board — to ensure the timely flow of information needed for opportunity identification, donor engagement, and pipeline management
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the European institutional landscape — including NGOs, research and academic institutions, private sector actors (both consultancies and companies on key sectors), and public authorities — with a view to developing joint initiatives eligible for funding by European institutional donors.
• Proposal drafting support may be required, although the primary focus of the role is on intelligence and positioning.
• Work in ongoing coordination with the Head of International Communications based in Brussels on joint positioning and external communication actions.
• Coordinate with Alliance 2025 (20%) on joint fundraising efforts and the development of shared positioning actions, leveraging the network's collective presence in the European institutional space.

Knowledge and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in international development, European affairs/EU studies, business administration, political science or related fields.
• Master's degree or professional certification in development cooperation is desirable.
• Complementary training related to project design would be an asset.
• At least 5 years of experience in similar functions within an NGO, particularly in business development positions.
• Expertise in and experience with EU institutions and programmes, combined with a proven track record of securing funding from EU institutional donors. Experience representing an organisation and engaging with EU and bilateral donor agencies, especially in Brussels, is a strong asset.
• Experience working in international donor agencies is an asset.

Languages:

• Essential: English: (C1 Advanced, C2 Professional/Native); Spanish (B1 Intermediate; B2 Upper-intermediate)
• Desirable: French (B1 Intermediate; B2 Upper-intermediate)

Geographical Mobility:

• Primarily within Europe; exceptionally to Global South countries.

Other requirements:

• Windows; office.

Skills and competencies:

• Excellent written expression.
• Analytical skills.
• Research skills and good oral expression skills.

Offer Conditions

• Working hours: Full-time
• Schedule: We are committed to work-life balance and therefore offer broad time flexibility, with the possibility to start/connect between 7:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
• Workplace: Belgium, Brussels, at the Alliance 2015 office. Applicants must have the right to work in Belgium. Ayuda en Acción is unable to provide visa sponsorship or support with obtaining work or residence permits.
• Format: Hybrid – remote and in-person work is required
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