External funding is the single most important source of funding for ISS research and capacity building projects. You will play a key role in supporting our academic staff to access funding from a wide range of donors. You will be their first point of contact for information about funding sources and play a key role in helping researchers find suitable sources of funding. You will support them throughout the funding application and submission process but at the same time provide a critical ‘evaluator’s eye’ to the proposal.  ISS has a diverse range of existing funders including ‘mainstream’ funders such as the EU and NWO but also a large number of other funders from national science councils to trusts and foundations. Your role will be to maintain existing funding sources but also explore new sources, in particular building on opportunities with trusts and foundations. To this end you need to have a natural talent for networking. You will be part of a team supporting external funded research at ISS but with an exclusive focus on the pre-award phase, however at times of high activity you will be able to call on the wider team for support. You will also be part of a wider network of funding officers at the University. The post offers plenty of room for development of new ideas to increase funding. You should have a strong affinity with the kind of research carried out at ISS and enjoy working with academic researchers. As a central point of contact for external funding, you need to be client-centred, able to deal with a diverse range of tasks and stakeholders effectively and efficiently and, at times, be able to work under pressure. Occasional international travel for networking or proposal preparation purposes is expected.

Key responsibilities

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Identify funding opportunities in line with the ISS mission and research interests;
• Give advice to research program leaders / academic staff on acquisition of new projects in line with their research or capacity-building interests;
• Develop concrete project ideas and proposals for funding in collaboration with academic staff;
• Ensure efficient information flow about upcoming opportunities and where necessary provide information and / or training sessions;
• Provide necessary coaching and support to applicants for these grants;
• Compile regular reports on ISS performance in acquiring external funds;
• Maintain external contacts with colleagues at other universities and relevant agencies to anticipate new developments;
• Contribute to internal initiatives to improve project acquisition including managing communication, funding portal, internal guidelines etc.;
• Provide support to ISS policy development on externally financed projects.

• University education, at least Master degree in the social sciences or in a related academic field;
• Previous experience as a grant officer, preferably at a university;
• Demonstrated affinity with international development, global studies, public administration, international/EU relations and/or communications;
• Experience with working in an international setting: preferably with Africa, Asia or Latin America;
• Detailed knowledge of NWO and / or European research funding (Horizon 2020);
• Good organizational and time-management skills, and stress-resistant;
• Native or excellent command of English, Dutch is an advantage;
• Strong intercultural communication skills;
• Good knowledge of MS Office programs;
• Ability to prioritize and perform under strict time constraints;
• Strong sense of accuracy;
• Able to work well both independently as well as in a team.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

We are looking for a  temporary funding/ grants officer to cover the paternity and parental leave of our current funding/ grants officer. The successful candidate is expected to start in June and will be based at ISS in The Hague. A part-time or full-time, one year contract with Erasmus University Rotterdam will be offered.

In accordance with the conditions applied at Erasmus University Rotterdam as indicated in the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO NU) of the Dutch universities, the salary is dependent on the candidate’s experience and is set at CAO NU scale 11 (with a minimum of  € 3746,- and a maximum of € 5127,- gross per month, on a fulltime basis) or Cao NU scale 12 (with a minimum of  € 4538,- and a maximum of € 5826,- gross per month, on a fulltime basis. In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits.

ISS is committed to building and sustaining a community based on inclusiveness, equity, and diversity and believes this will contribute to our mission and vision of being the best institute in our field.  ISS is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, and nationalities.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Inspired by the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam, our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global social challenges. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR ranks amongst the top European universities. Erasmian values ​​function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded. 

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)

The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)Opens external is a leading academic centre for international development studies. While based in The Hague, the ISS is part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. ISS was established in 1952 as a post-graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science and development oriented research. ISS offers a PhD in Development Studies, a 15,5 months MA in Development Studies, a joint MA in Public Policy (Mundus MAPP), a MPA in Governance delivered in Suriname, and several post-graduate Diploma courses.

ISS brings together a highly diverse international community of scholars and students from both the global South and the global North, usually originating from over 50 different countries. The Institute brings together people, ideas and insights in a multi-disciplinary setting which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and conducts innovative research into fundamental social problems. The strong partnerships with organizations and individuals in developing countries make up a network where we co-create knowledge so that teaching and research remain socially relevant. Key to the ISS philosophy and practices is the wish to make a contribution to achieving social justice and equity on a global level.