International Project Manager 

(36 hours per week) 

Who are we?

COC Netherlands actively contributes to the promotion of human rights for LGBTIQ+ people in the Netherlands and abroad. COC works in close partnership with more than 200 local LGBTIQ+ organizations in over 35 countries. Through our international programs, we support and strengthen local, regional and global LGBTIQ+ movements and align efforts that contribute to the improvement of the position of LGBTIQ+ people. 

International solidarity within the LGBTIQ+ movement has been one of the core values of COC Netherlands since its foundation in 1946. Our mission is to contribute to a strong international LGBTIQ+ movement able to strive towards recognition and protection of the human rights of LGBTI people anywhere in the world. Crucial to our approach is local ownership: local, national and regional LGBTIQ+ communities decide which direction, pace, strategies and activities are most suitable in their own context to contribute to change. 

COC works in close cooperation with strategic partners among which the Dutch government. COC Netherlands has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations since 2008 and facilitates LGBTIQ+ presence at regional and international human rights forums. COC Netherlands is a member of the international LGBTIQ+ organization International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), and its European branch, ILGA-Europe. Our international programs cover many areas and include partnerships with partners and allies in Africa, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe. Our biggest international program currently, Power of Pride, is a strategic partnership with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pan Africa ILGA and ILGA Asia. Power of Pride works towards diverse and inclusive societies where LGBTIQ+ people can participate to their full potential. 

The office of COC Netherlands is in the center of Amsterdam and currently employs around 36 enthusiastic professionals. 

What does your job entail? 

As international project manager, you will work closely with COC staff in the international team, Alliance Partners, the International Advisory Committee and LGBTIQ+ partner organizations world-wide. Your responsibilities will include: 

• Support the operationalization and implementation of the Power of Pride program and other international programs. 
• Manage one or more projects, in close co-operation with a number of local and national LGBTIQ+ partner organizations in a number of countries. 
• Facilitate national level participatory grant-making processes. 
• Develop a constructive relationship with local partners and their allies: support them in developing and implementing project activities and strategies. 
• Maintain project and financial accountability internally and towards institutional donors (through reporting). 
• Closely collaborate and align with other international project managers, MEL-officers and advocacy officers. 
• Build relationships and maintain contacts with relevant external organizations and networks. 
• Identify relevant social, political and legal developments for the LGBTIQ+movement in your work field. 
• Acquire, initiate and develop new programs in support of the LGBTIQ+ movement. 
• Contribute to internal and external communication on international programs and results. 
• Contribute to an organization-wide vision and future perspective on COC’s contribution to the international LGBTIQ+movement. 

You report to the manager international programs. You are part of a team of 13 highly skilled, passionate colleagues, each with their own areas of expertise. 

What will you bring? 

• Affinity with the mission, vision and objectives of COC Netherlands. 
• Proficiency in English (C1/C2). 
• Proficiency in French (C1/C2). 

• Knowledge of the human rights situations of LGBTIQ+ internationally, and more particularly in the regions where COC Netherlands is active. Previous experience working in the field of human rights would be an advantage. 
• Experience in international project management (at least 3 years). 
• Experience in participatory approaches including supporting local ownership and engaging in (participatory) grant making mechanisms (at least 3 years). 
• Sensitivity towards the challenges, cultural context, security aspects impacting partners and communities. 
• Ability to work independently in a team of professionals and to keep a good overview of a complex and wide-ranged set of job responsibilities, strong planning, and structuring skills. 

• Willingness to travel and to work irregular hours (if and when needed). 
• Resourcefulness, resilience and flexibility: travelling to partner countries may include navigating in difficult and insecure conditions. 
• Diplomacy and ability to operate independently in politically sensitive situations and arenas. 
• Higher vocational education or proof of comparable skills and competences. 

What do we offer? 

• An employment contract for 1 year and the possibility of a contract extension if future program budget allows and staff is needed. 
• Salary grade 10 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement CAO Sociaal Werk, between € 3,221 and € 4,830 gross per month, based on fulltime employment (36 hours a week). 
• An independent position in a creative environment with opportunities for professional development. 
• A socially relevant job in the heart of the news and debate. 
• Please note that we cannot offer relocation support to the Netherlands. 

COC is an equal opportunity employer and committed to opposing discrimination on any ground. We would particularly like to encourage transgender/gender-variant and intersex individuals, as well as people from ethnic and racial minority backgrounds or with refugee status to apply. 

Interested? 

Are you interested in the job? Please sent your up-to-date CV and motivation before 28 November 2022 to [email protected]. For questions you can contact Bram Langen, manager international programs, at [email protected]. 

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