- Position: Project Manager and Proposal Writer
- Period: 2 year contract, with the possibility of renewal
- Type: Full-time
- Location: Brussels, Belgium
- Flexibility: Position can include hybrid/remote/work-from-home elements, as needed.
- Employer: YMCA Europe with World YMCA support
- Directly reporting to: Head of Policy & Strategy, World YMCA
- Indirectly reporting to: YMCA Europe Secretary General, World YMCA Secretary General
Aim: Increase the capacity of the YMCA Movement at European level and beyond to attract EU funding and implement meaningful, impact-focused programmes. The Project Manager and Proposal Writer will coordinate and participate in the proposal-creation process for EU-funded projects, as well as participate in the implementation and/or coordination and/or supervision of some of the approved projects during all their phasis.
Some projects will have YMCA Europe as main applicant, while others might have various YMCAs from EU Member States as main applicants.
A key focus would be Erasmus+ Key Action 2 Strategic Partnerships and Capacity-building projects, without this being a strict limitation. A number of projects may be developed and implemented in cooperation with YMCA regional organisations in Latin America, Africa and Asia-Pacific (eg. for capacity-building components).
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan, prepare and coordinate the submission process of EU funding proposals (including EEA Grants or related programmes, as needed);
- Identify strategic needs and potential project concepts which can have a high success rate from throughout the European YMCA Movement;
- Collaborate with European and non-European YMCA National Movements to co-design project concepts, identify best-chance applicants for EU project proposals and implement or supervise approved projects;
- Coordinate the implementation of some of the approved projects OR monitor/supervise the implementation of the approved projects OR be part of the implementation team of some of the approved projects (eg. as an expert), depending on the capacity, needs and opportunities of the moment , as well as personal interest and expertise. A mix of these is estimated on average;;
- Represent YMCA Europe and World YMCA at various EU institutions and events, as needed;
- Integrate strong and coordinated policy&advocacy components in the planned project proposals, in alignment with the YMCA Vision 2030;
- Work together with and under the supervision of the Head of Policy&Strategy at World YMCA to strengthen the YMCA Movement for increased social impact at community and international level, in alignment with YMCA Vision 2030 and YMCA values;
YMCA Europe’s Strategy 2021-2026 was adopted at the European General Assembly held on May 14th 2021. It highlights the alignment with World YMCA’s strategic direction. The document is available here.
Note regarding YMCA Vision 2030: The final version of the Vision 2030 will be adopted by the YMCA World Council (equivalent to the General Assembly of World YMCA, meeting every 4 years) in July 2022. Currently a consultation process is in place. For your reference, the current draft can be consulted here.
- Excellent knowledge of the Erasmus+ EU Programme (any other programme is an advantage), ideally on the Youth / Adult Education / VET fields;
- Strong and proven proposal/grant writing skills;
- Very good project management skills and capacity to design and implement European-level projects;
- Very good understanding of the nonprofit sector, especially from a European perspective;
- Strong intercultural communication skills;
- Excellent English skills (written and spoken). Any other language is an advantage;
- Strong sense of curiosity and willingness to learn and develop;
- Alignment with European values (human dignity, freedom, equality, democracy, rule of law, human rights);
Candidates should be eligible to obtain the right to work in Belgium, if not living in Belgium. Candidates from outside Belgium should be willing to relocate to Brussels or live in the surrounding area.
- Salary range: tentative annual salary 35.000 to 41.000 EUR gross (to be discussed with the successful candidate)
- Other benefits: possible annual bonus depending on type of successful projects, flexible remote work policy, a limited relocation package can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, extra holidays or days off can be agreed beyond the established minimum period.
Please prepare an application package consisting of the following:
- CV in English (any format is accepted);
- Motivation Letter (or equivalent, it can take any form, including video, presentation etc.) highlighting at least the following: your experience, why you think you would be a good fit, your motivation, how this position fits in your wider professional goals, why you think we should select you;
We highly encourage a creative approach to the motivation letter.
The application package will be sent to info@ymcaeurope.com by February 10th, 2022. Interviews will follow on February with the candidate expected to start in March 2022.
Recruitment Policy
Equal Opportunity – Everyone is welcome at the YMCA
We strive and do our best efforts to ensure a non-discriminatory recruitment and selection process in all its phases. No candidate will be discriminated against based on race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, gender, gender identity, marital status, caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness.
Skills-first Approach
We consider that formal experience, education and certificates matter less than the actual skills and capacity of the candidate. We prioritise demonstrated skills and competencies, no matter if they derive from volunteering, practical, personal or work experience.
