Business Development and Institutional Relations – Brussels

Ayuda en Acción; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible compensation system

Job summary

Ayuda en Acción is seeking a professional in Brussels to lead fundraising strategies for European institutional donors. The role includes designing funding strategies, monitoring funding landscapes, and building relationships with key donors. Candidates should have a background in social sciences or related fields, with at least 5 years in business development and proficiency in project methodologies. Fluency in English and knowledge of Spanish are essential, while French is valued. A flexible work environment with full-time hours and compensation benefits is offered.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in similar functions, particularly in business development positions.
• Highly proficient in logical framework methodology and project cycle.
• Knowledge of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, and social action policies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and follow up on funding strategies targeting European institutional donors.
• Lead and monitor the European institutional funding landscape.
• Build and nurture ongoing relationships with key donor contacts.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Good oral expression skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in social sciences, economics, social work or related fields

Master's degree in development cooperation

Tools

MS Office

Job description

• Contribute to the consolidation and expansion of the portfolio of Ayuda en Acción projects and programs funded by European institutional donors – including the European Union and bilateral donor agencies from European countries (Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Nordic countries, among others) – through early identification of opportunities, business intelligence, and positioning before donors. The scope covers both international development cooperation and humanitarian aid programs, as well as social action programs implemented in Spain and Portugal.

Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Institutional Fundraising Head of Unit and Europe Fundraising focal points, design, develop and follow up on funding strategies targeting European institutional donors (EU institutions, and bilateral agencies from Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Nordic countries, and other European countries), covering both international development cooperation and humanitarian aid programs, as well as social action programs in Spain.
• Lead business intelligence efforts to systematically monitor the European institutional funding landscape: monitor funding cycles, and anticipate funding decisions and budget allocations from EU institutions (ECHO, INTPA, DG EAC, DG JUST, DG RTD, DG EMPL, DG HOME etc.) and European bilateral donors; follow donor policy agendas, strategic frameworks, and political priorities that may shape future funding opportunities; analyse competitor and peer organisations' positioning and project portfolios to identify gaps and differentiation opportunities; maintain and update an opportunities’ pipeline, ensuring relevant information flows in a timely manner to internal teams (geographic divisions, sectoral specialists, country offices, and HQ leadership); and produce periodic intelligence briefs and funding landscape analyses to support strategic decision‑making at the organisational level.
• Lead the design and implementation of a proactive positioning strategy towards European institutional donors, building and nurturing ongoing relationships with key donor contacts at the EU institutions and European bilateral agencies. In practice, this includes: arranging and attending high-level meetings with donor representatives — both independently and jointly with HQ colleagues travelling on mission from Madrid to Brussels or other European cities; identifying and pursuing speaking opportunities at relevant conferences and sectoral events; organising positioning events in Brussels and other European capitals, in close coordination with the Communications and Marketing focal person based in Brussels; attending specialised forums, thematic working groups, and policy spaces relevant to Ayuda en Acción's areas of intervention; and monitoring donor policy agendas and strategic priorities to anticipate funding trends and position the organisation ahead of new calls or strategic dialogues. Proposal drafting support may be provided on an exceptional basis; the primary focus of the role is on intelligence and positioning rather than proposal formulation.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the European institutional landscape — including NGOs, consortia, 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. This includes mapping potential partners, proactively engaging with key actors in Brussels and other European countries, participating in consortium‑building processes, and identifying complementarities between Ayuda en Acción's areas of expertise and those of prospective partners.
• Coordinate closely with key internal stakeholders — including Regional Directorates, 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. Work in ongoing coordination with the Communications and Marketing focal person based in Brussels on joint positioning and external communication actions. Liaise regularly with the Institutional Fundraising team at HQ in Madrid, and support joint missions when relevant colleagues travel to Brussels or other European cities.
• As appropriate, provide inputs and advice to country offices in the design, implementation and monitoring of their financing plans or strategies.
• 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. This includes participating in Alliance 2025 coordination mechanisms, identifying opportunities for joint proposal development or consortium building, and ensuring that Ayuda en Acción's strategic priorities are adequately reflected in shared donor engagement initiatives carried out under the Alliance.
• Availability to travel, primarily within Europe, and exceptionally to Global South implementation countries if circumstances so require.

Requirements

Knowledge and experience:

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, economics, social work or related fields.
• Master's degree in development cooperation is desirable.
• Complementary training related to project design would be an asset.
• At least 5 years of experience in similar functions, particularly in business development positions.
• Highly proficient in logical framework methodology and project cycle.
• Notions of project budgeting.
• Knowledge of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, and social action policies and instruments. Familiarity with European institutional funding architecture (EU external action, ECHO, EuropeAid, bilateral donors such as GIZ/BMZ, FCDO, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, SIDA, etc.) is highly valued.
• Experience working in international donor agencies is an asset.

Languages:

• Essential: English: (C1 Advanced, C2 Professional/Native) and Spanish: (B1)
• Highly Valued: French

Geographical Mobility:

• Yes. Primarily within Europe; exceptionally to Global South countries.

Other requirements:

• MS Office - Windows

Skills and competencies:

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

Offer Conditions:

• Working hours: Full-time
• Flexible compensation system.

EEO Statement:

In all selection processes we will take into account the criteria of NO discrimination based on sex, race, skin colour, religion, political ideas, social origin, sexual orientation, age, etc., providing a transparent and equal opportunity process for all candidates, as stated in our Code of Conduct. "Treating all people with respect and rejecting any kind of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, exploitation or any other action against Human Rights".