Trust & Foundations Fundraiser – consultancy assignment

CNV Internationaal is the solidarity arm of the trade union CNV in the Netherlands. CNV Internationaal strives for 100% fair work, and we are committed to our mission every day, together with our partner unions worldwide. CNV Internationaal aims to empower workers in the formal and informal economy through social dialogue, collective bargaining and ensuring freedom of association in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Our work is active in several supply chains, such as, textiles, sugarcane, palm oil, mining and cashew in which we aim to achieve improved and decent working conditions.  

As part of our plans for growth and financial sustainability, we have recently developed a new strategy for our fundraising efforts. Additionally to funding from institutional donors, we are exploring different routes to ensure the next phase of growth and development. One of these routes is to engage with trusts and foundations, to deliver high impact projects when it comes to labour rights and sustainable supply chains.    

To support the sustainability and growth of our impact, we are seeking an experienced Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser on a consultancy basis. The consultant will play a key role in expanding and strengthening our funding base by engaging directly with trusts and foundations that align with the work of CNV Internationaal. The purpose of the role will be to identify trusts and foundation partners who share the vision of CNV Internationaal, to build strong funding relationships, and to secure financial support through proposals and collaborative project designs. The consultant will also work closely with the Fundraiser Coordinator at CNV Internationaal to finetune the broader fundraising strategy.   

You will work on the following, together with the Fundraiser Coordinator: 

Mapping & Research  

• Identifying and prioritizing trusts and foundations that will align with the mission and programmatic focus of CNV Internationaal.  
• Map and analyze potential funders that are currently not on our radar.  

Outreach & Engagement 

• Initiate contact with prospective trusts and foundations to create enthusiasm and interest in our work.  
• Represent the mission and programs of CNV Internationaal in a compelling way to funders.  
• Build strong and strategic relationships with relevant funders.  

Proposal Development 

• Co-develop fundable project ideas that are aligned with CNV Internationaal and the funders’ priorities.  
• Support and draft the development of concept notes and proposals, in collaboration with the team at CNV Internationaal.  

Strategy 

• Refine and strengthen the fundraising strategy focused on trusts and foundations for CNV Internationaal.  
• Provide insights and recommendations based on current trends.  

 The ideal candidate is someone with a successful track record in fundraising with trusts and foundations specifically. We are looking for you if you are both, creative and pragmatic, and you an easily alternate between working with a fundraising pipeline, and hold conversations with potential aligned trusts and foundations. We are looking for you, if you value teamwork, whilst confidently carrying out activities independently, and are a great communicator. So, if you have a never-ending energy to reach out to new potential funders, and are driven to improve labour rights worldwide, we are looking for you! 

We’d prefer someone living in the Netherlands, having a strong network in the Netherlands and countries close-by such as Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. We ask for availability to take on this consultancy assignment for the coming 3-6 months for at least 8 hours a week. We are looking for the following requirements: 

•  Proven track record of securing grants from trusts and foundations,  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present in an enthusiastic and motivating manner on CNV Internationaal’s vision and work,  
• Experience in donor engagement,  
• Strong research and analytical skills,  
• Strategic thinker to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities,  
• Organized, proactive and able to manage different relationships at the time.  

It’s an extra addition if you have: 

• Knowledge and experience with CNV Internationaal’s central themes such as social dialogue, collective bargaining and freedom of association, as well as knowledge on living wages, and/or just transition, and/or the textile industry,  
• Having experience working at trusts and/or foundations,  
• A well-positioned network when it comes to trusts and foundations,  
• Fluent in Dutch and English 

Working at CNV Internationaal, even in a consultancy position, is aiming to make a social impact on a daily basis. It is challenging, and therefore we are happy to offer something in return.  

• A consultancy position for 8 to 16 hours per week, based on actual hours worked 
• A budget to cover operational and travel expenses 
• Start with a 3 months consultancy contract  
• An open organizational culture where we learn from each other and where growth is appreciated 
• Working closely with CNV Internationaal’s colleagues in the Netherlands 

 Does this assignment feel like a match to your ambition, experience and talents? Then respond with your ideas on how to tackle this assignment of max. 1 page, and how you would reach out to trusts and foundations as soon as possible, including an updated CV to vacatures-internationaal@cnv.nl addressed to Lisanne van Unen (Private Fundraising) and Daantje Bras (Fundraising Coordinator). Since we are looking to start quickly we’ll keep this consultancy assignment open on a rolling basis. 

If you have any substantive questions about the position, please contact the Fundraising Coordinator Daantje Bras at d.bras@cnv.nl and Lisanne van Unen (l.vanunen@cnv.nl).