Officer, External Relations & Institutional Fundraising

Position description

The Officer, External Relations and Institutional Fundraising will strengthen the European Scout Region’s external positioning by advancing its advocacy and policy agenda, securing institutional funding, and supporting capacity building for Member Organizations.

Working together with the Europe Support Center and Business Development Practice Teams, in close collaboration with the Senior Manager, Resource Mobilisation & Strategic Partnerships, the role will focus on aligning advocacy efforts with strategic priorities, developing and managing partnerships, identifying and securing EU and Council of Europe funding, and equipping Member Organisations with the tools and support needed to enhance their fundraising capacities.

Responsibilities

Policy & Advocacy

Focus: Strengthening external relationships, aligning advocacy with strategy, and positioning the organization effectively.

• Support the continued development of the advocacy and policy agenda, in line with the European Advocacy Strategy and wider Business Development Strategy, addressing the needs of young people and the development of Scouting and the European youth field.
• Develop, initiate, and nurture relationships with external stakeholders and work closely with the Europe Support Centre team and the Operational Framework teams to support the achievement of advocacy ambitions related to the implementation of the Regional Scout Plan.
• Support the strategic oversight of key partnerships and advocacy efforts in the European Region (Partnerships Tracker).
• Support young volunteers’ engagement in the European Scout Region’s external representation and advocacy work. Advocate in partnership with relevant civil society organisations through established European platforms that the European Scout Region is an active member of.

EU and CoE Project Design & Fundraising

Focus: Identifying funding opportunities and implementing strategies for financial growth.

• Identify and critically analyse sector and member needs, develop project concepts and new proposals based on those needs, and effectively engage with relevant stakeholders in creating shared ownership over the proposal development process.
• Lead the development of external institutional (primarily Erasmus+ and European Youth Foundation) funding opportunities for the Europe Region and coordinate proposal development in strong collaboration with the Regional Support Centre and the Strategic Partnerships lead in the European Region.
• Identify funding opportunities and partnerships, conduct research and networking within the sector to cultivate relationships and secure resources.
• Maintaining an overall project and grant monitor (New Business Tracker) and supporting the reporting to different structures of the European Region, including its management and governance.
• Continuously identify and develop strategies to optimise the acquisition of new grants.

Capacity Building & Membership Support

Focus: supporting NSOs, contributing to the service-based model of WOSM

• Support the provision of services to Member Organisations in their fundraising and advocacy activities, and the development of funding applications to access European Funds
• Ensure the regular communication of funding opportunities through dedicated channels (Treehouse funding opportunities page and circulars).
• Implement and support events, including capacity building for Member Organisations in direct collaboration with the European Support Centre teams, staff and volunteers.

The Officer will also support and ensure alignment with the European Scout Foundation is also foreseen in this portfolio, in addition to other activities as requested by the line manager.

Experience and Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is welcome but not required; equivalent experience is equally valued.
• Knowledge of the workings of the EU and/or the Council of Europe and other intergovernmental organisations.
• Knowledge of the key methodologies and theoretical frameworks for project development and management in the non-governmental sector.
• Fluency in English is essential; any other command of WOSM’s languages (French, Spanish and Arabic) would be considered an asset.
• Experience of 2-3 years working in fundraising, public affairs, external relations, advocacy and/or partnerships.
• Experience in EU networking spaces, liaising with EU institutions or representatives.
• Experience in implementing advocacy strategies and expertise in the field of youth or education policy.
• Record of developing impactful partnerships.
• Previous engagement in Scouting or other youth organisations is a plus. The candidate is not required to have previous experience in Scouting but show interest in the mission of the Movement.
• Experience of working directly with young people and volunteers is a plus.

Competencies and skills

Core Competencies

• Flexibility & Persistence: Shows flexibility & proactively adjusts & adapts to evolving conditions
• Interpersonal Relations: Listens intently & wins over others with tact and diplomacy even in challenging situations
• Collaborative Work: Willingly engages with all stakeholders & integrates their inputs & perspectives into the work & deliverables
• Organizational Integrity: Understands the organization’s objectives & values & aligns own behaviours to conform

Functional and technical competencies

• Support and mentor young volunteers, ensuring they are well-prepared, cared for, and empowered to represent the organization externally.
• Design and implement support systems that include training, pastoral care, and performance feedback for volunteer representatives.
• Leads by example in initiating collaboration across teams or departments.
• Proactively identify opportunities for advocacy, funding, and capacity-building aligned with strategic objectives.
• Demonstrate a solutions-oriented mindset, initiating cross-functional collaboration.
• Synthesise complex information into clear, persuasive arguments tailored to diverse audiences, including funders, partners, and institutional stakeholders.
• Foster inclusive, purpose-driven engagement of volunteers in policy and fundraising work, enhancing ownership and impact.
• Ability to manage high volumes of projects within tight deadlines and with high attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, able to persuade and empathise with the audience.
• Relationship builder and entrepreneurial, with excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent drafting and writing skills.
• Ability to work and co-operate within an international and multi-cultural framework.
• Comfortable in using standard business software and cloud-based apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Slack, Dropbox, Smartsheet).

Terms and Conditions

The World Scout Bureau offers a range of tangible and intangible working benefits in compliance with the practices and laws of the respective Support Centre in the country where the position is based. This is a full-time position with a contract of three years with an option to extend the contract, subject to agreement by both parties.

• The salary paid on a monthly basis will be appropriate to the seniority of the role.
• The position is based in the World Scout Bureau’s European Support Centre in Brussels.
• Contractual hours of work are 38 hours per week, Monday through Friday.
• Some travel and evening, and weekend work may be required on occasion.
• Annual leave and public holiday entitlement as per the law in the country where the position is based and the World Scout Bureau Leave Policy.

Application instructions

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