Project and Proposal Developer

Oxfam Novib

Do you want to fight for equality? Tackling inequality at its roots, together with colleagues, our partner organizations and activists in more than 90 countries? To change the systems behind it, once and for all!
 
Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of gender, ethnicity or skin color. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled in a firmer and more honest way.
 
Equality is the common thread in our work and projects, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who hesitates to apply, no matter the reason. Our aim is to create an environment where everyone not only feels welcome, but where diversity is embraced and celebrated. Let's strive together to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.
 
Apply and become part of Oxfam Novib! 
 
Job description
The position operates together with internal and external stakeholders and reports to the Manager of the Partnerships & Program development (P&P) Unit. The P&P Unit is part of the Programs Department. The P&P Unit supports the organization in maintaining and enhancing its work and impact, including in achieving Oxfam Novib’s ambitious targets on delivering high quality project and program proposals. P&P consists of dedicated staff working on project development, institutional funding, capacity strengthening, and partnerships. They support the organization in reaching its ambitions through effective engagement and relationship building with its institutional donors, colleagues and partner organisations.
 
As Project and Proposal Developer you will lead in the development of (multi-) country/ (multi–) regional projects, concept notes and full proposals for institutional donors together with the Goal Units of Oxfam Novib in The Hague, in a process of co-creation with relevant Oxfam Country Office teams and Oxfam affiliate staff. You will be coordinating (for example as bid lead or lead writer) the engagement of Oxfam staff (finance officers, MEL advisors, thematic specialists) and relevant partners and allies to support hands-on co-creation/development of (multi country/multi regional) projects in The Hague and Country Offices. Your role is not only to lead the process and bring together the necessary support, but also to inspire, to identify opportunities, to be creative and innovative, to ensure development and delivery of quality projects and proposals, to comply with donor requirements and to meet (often short) deadlines. This includes producing clear and logical Theories of Change, with different pathways combining (innovative) on-the-ground work with strong influencing components in our programs and ensuring that gender justice, conflict sensitivity and active citizenship/strengthening civil society/attention to civic space are effectively mainstreamed in them. As needed, you will develop partnerships or alliances with key actors, building on the complementarity of the contributions that Oxfam, allies and partners bring to the program. 
 
Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership and overall process management to develop and ensure quality development of multi country/multi regional project proposals focusing on one or more Oxfam Novib priority themes within given deadlines and fitting the specific donor requirements. Together with Goal Unit managers and institutional funding colleagues, you will contribute to developing and updating thematic fund-raising strategies & appropriate plans for project development pipelines for these programs and as appropriate or needed, build relations with relevant back donors.
• In close collaboration with Unit managers of P&P and Goal Units, lead and facilitate virtual, flexible teams for co-creating and supporting the development of projects and funding proposals with relevant units in The Hague, country teams and when possible/needed with other Oxfam affiliates. As needed, oversee the project or proposal development process to ensure timely delivery of high quality products through managing clear bid plans.
• Lead in the writing of project frameworks, concept notes, Theories of Change, content for donor materials or products for the Oxfam Novib English website. 
• Be responsible for quality (multi country/multi regional) project proposal development (coherent narrative, context analysis, clear and logical Theory of Change, Track Record and log frame) via feedback to drafts from colleagues and partners, identifying gaps and assuring linkage with the overall log frame.
• Collaborate with MEAL and research officers, working on monitoring tools and approaches, including a learning agenda. 
• Ensure coherence between the text of the proposal and its accompanying (narrative) budget. 
• Link effectively between Oxfam Country Offices / Goal Units in The Hague, Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Unit (LINK), P&P donor engagement managers and potentially other Oxfam affiliates and support capacity for planning and deployment of support capacity for development of projects and funding proposals to institutional donors.
• Ensure that project proposals are developed within the context of the Oxfam 2020 model and related responsibilities for Oxfam affiliates and Country Offices, clear management and governance systems are included, while ensuring organizational feasibility and efficiency for maximum possible success in implementation, upholding the Oxfam program and MEAL standards.
• During the project development process, monitor progress, proactively signal obstacles, and actively seek solutions with relevant Unit Managers, in terms of delivery of support capacity and quality of project development. Contribute to setting clear priorities (in consultation with relevant Goal Units in the Hague and other affiliates as required).
• Ensure consistent, quality attention is given to mainstreaming gender justice, active citizenship/strengthening civil society/attention to civic space and conflict sensitivity in project/proposal development and develop lessons learned for staff training based on successes and failed applications.
• Based on experience, and to the degree feasible, provide coaching/training support on skills and knowledge. In consultation with LINK Unit contribute to collecting and developing relevant practical tools, best practices and hands-on advice on proposal and project development and inception phases of grants, for Oxfam colleagues in The Hague and Country Offices.
• Promote learning and exchange between colleagues working on program and proposal development.

Who are we looking for?

• A higher-level education and at least five years of experience in development work, especially in project development, partnership management and demonstrated capacity in writing high quality proposals and successfully raising substantial funds from institutional donors.
• Strong, clear, and convincing writing and communication skills in the English and French language (Dutch is an asset) and ability to write and communicate effectively for different donors and audiences.
• Understanding of how different intervention strategies can be employed to achieve objectives or results; Strong experience and capacity in relation to linking local to global and vice versa via influencing; gender analysis, strengthening civil society, and/or conflict sensitivity in programming highly desirable.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, risk-taking and result-oriented, ability to provide hands-on support, co-create, negotiate, develop, and let go. Leadership skills, able to lead a project team to deliver high quality results while meeting deadlines. Ability to work effectively and calmly under pressure.
• Capacity to give hands-on, practical support to program staff in Country Offices and The Hague in establishing engagement with major institutional donors and co-creating (multi-country/multi regional) projects to equip Oxfam and partners to raise funds to support their programs.
• Excellent planning skills and demonstrated ability to prioritise as needed. Able to proceed with and uphold a clear vision despite multiple opinions. Ability to juggle multiple tasks at any one time. Flexible, pragmatic, creative and solution oriented.
• Strong negotiation and convincing skills and ability to work effectively with colleagues from a variety of backgrounds, encouraging mutual respect and appreciation of each contribution.
• Experienced working in facilitating and coaching (online) meetings with staff, partners, and other stakeholders, aimed at co-creation, clear agreements, and concrete deliverables.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and to travel frequently overseas and within Europe. Ability to represent Oxfam Novib externally.
• Please explicitly state in your cover letter that you confirm possession of a valid permit to reside and work in the Netherlands.

Working at Oxfam Novib

• All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.
• At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.
• Oxfam Novib is committed to offer you a motivating work environment at our offices in The Hague. We offer a one-year contract from start (including a 1-month trial period), with the possibility to extend.
• Oxfam Novib offers an attractive and honest benefits package, including a year-end allowance and yearly pay increase from the Collective Labor Agreement. Moreover, we offer complementary options to choose from. The salary range for this position is set in scale 10 with a salary range between €3.625,- and €5.579,- gross depending on experience, based on 36 hours a week.
• We are currently working hybrid (50% in the office in The Hague and 50% at home).
• Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values and principles, and who are committed to prevent and eliminate any type of misconduct.
• We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.

Additional information

• Do you believe that this is the job you are looking for? Then we would love to meet you! Please send your resume and cover letter via our application portal Project and Proposal Developer Job Details | OxfamNovibP. Explicitly mention in the cover letter that you can confirm you have a work permit for the Netherlands.
• If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Myrthe Meeuwissen Interim coordinator Project and Proposal Development at myrthe.meeuwissen@oxfamnovib.nl.
• Only applications received before the closing date 11th of August 2024 and submitted via our application portal will be considered. We aim to keep our recruitment process timelines short. To ensure timely processing and follow-up, we kindly request a cover letter of maximum 1 A4 page and a CV of maximum 2 pages.
• This job opening is posted internally and externally, simultaneously. Internal candidates are given preference if they possess sufficient qualifications, or these can be obtained in short term. We believe it’s important in our organization that our employees are offered maximum opportunities for growth in new themes and competencies. Priority for internal candidates supports this.
• At the time of a contract offer, it is necessary for Oxfam Novib to request valid references. Our candidates will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including criminal records and terrorism, financial checks or integrity screenings/references.
• Oxfam Novib reserves the right, to its sole discretion, not to make agreements regarding this job opening, make an agreement in a lower level, or make an agreement with an amended job description.
• Qualified candidates residing in the Netherlands, or other EU/EEA countries and who are willing to relocate to the Netherlands at their own expense and responsibility, are encouraged to apply.
• Oxfam Novib is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.