Background

Hivos is a human rights and social justice organisation driven by humanist values. We were founded in 1968, at the height of the global wave of social and political mobilisations in the 1960s that laid the foundation for new progressive civil society movements worldwide.

Hivos strengthens and resources organisations and movements with the potential to improve a broad range of human, civil, and political rights. In particular, if they are directly at risk of being targeted or have the potential to spark popular mobilisation for a transformative progressive agenda. We work in partnerships with others in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA).

Vision

We envision a just world in which everyone, regardless of their identity, background or circumstances, lives in dignity and freedom and can build a fair and sustainable future for themselves, their communities, and the wider society.

Mission

Our mission is to defend and expand the civil and political rights that enable individuals, marginalised communities, their movements, and their organisations to claim and realise equality and justice.

Our DNA

Hivos has guts and dares to tackle sensitive issues. The way we question existing power structures and their effects on society is different and innovative. We are not afraid to confront the powers that be in the quest for new solutions. And we critically review how we achieve the mission and goals we have set.

Purpose of role

The Business Development Manager will play a key role in advancing Hivos’ strategic funding and partnership ambitions under the Ten for Ten strategy. The role focuses on identifying, shaping, and securing institutional funding and strategic partnerships that enable Hivos to deliver complex, multi-country and multi-actor programmes aligned with its mission to defend and expand civil and political rights.

Operating within a functional, globally dispersed business development model, the role combines market and contextual intelligence, relationship-building, and coordinated proposal development. It requires close collaboration with programme, finance, and support functions to translate strategic priorities into high-quality, fundable opportunities that are operationally feasible, compliant, and aligned with Hivos’ values and power-shifting approach.

Depending on the position’s specific focus, the role emphasises either deep regional and contextual knowledge or the orchestration of complex, cross-regional design processes. Across all variants, the position contributes to both short-term fundraising results and longer-term positioning of Hivos within priority donor, foundation, and partnership ecosystems.

The Business Development Manager - Strategic Design & Portfolio Development Focus will support the shaping of complex programme concepts and funding portfolios aligned with Hivos’ long-term strategic ambitions.

Primary responsibilities

Coordinate strategic programme design processes across themes and geographies.
Support the development of flagship initiatives and multi-hub programmes.
Build competitive funding proposals and budgets in collaboration with programme, finance, and compliance colleagues, ensuring alignment with EU frameworks and donor compliance standards.
Contribute to portfolio planning, sequencing, and learning.
Support donor engagement related to strategic or exploratory funding opportunities.

Profile

This role emphasises structuring and sequencing complexity, stewarding multi-actor design processes, and translating strategic ideas into credible funding propositions.

Experience

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
7+ years of relevant experience in programme design, portfolio development, or business development.
Experience in new business development, including identifying funding opportunities and engaging donors to build a pipeline of prospective bids.
Experience developing proposals and budgets from inception to submission, including managing inputs from partners and cross-functional stakeholders across programme, finance, and compliance.
Experience engaging with bilateral, multilateral, development funds and/or foundations.

Skills and qualifications

Strong conceptual and analytical skills.
Ability to coordinate complex, multi-actor processes.
Strong written communication and synthesis skills.
Strategic thinking with practical execution.
Fluent in English and Dutch.

Location
Hivos offers visa sponsorship in the Netherlands for candidates willing to relocate. Successful applicants will be expected to relocate, with employment contracts issued in The Hague.

Terms of employment
If you are selected for the final stage of the selection process, please note that professional references and a certificate of conduct (VOG) will be requested due to our Safeguarding Policy. Exceptions will only be made if there is a local legislation prohibition or when the candidate is unable to obtain such a certificate due to activities on LGTBIQ+ and Human Rights. We may check social media, unless applicants state they do not wish us to do so. The accuracy of information in the curriculum vitae will also be checked.

To apply for the post

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement by clicking here. Please ensure you send your CV and cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL.

If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to Ruth Gardner at ruth@upsallinternational.com. Please note: to ensure the security of your application and to ensure that your data complies with GDPR, applications via email will not be accepted.

· The deadline for applications is Monday 11^th May, 9:00 am CET ·

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Business Development Manager – Strategic Portfolio Design & Portfolio Development