About the position

In this position you will work with colleagues from across IHS to address some of the biggest urban challenges of our time.

The primary purpose of the position is to provide leadership to the institute’s work on projects and partnerships. Along with the General Director and senior colleagues, you will develop the strategic direction for this; and through your strong network, you will expand the portfolio of projects in advisory work, education, and research. Alongside this, you will contribute directly to research, education and advisory work in your own areas of expertise.

Your daily activities and main responsibilities include:

• Working with and enabling colleagues to acquire relevant projects that draw on the skills and resources within the Institute, strengthen the organization’s financial position, and contribute to career development of staff.
• Assessing opportunities that are in line with the organizational strategy, and working with colleagues to scope and build relationships with current and potential funders (including bilateral and multilateral development partners, independent foundations, and research funding organizations; e.g. GIZ, FCDO, World Bank, Gates Foundation, Earth Fund, Cities Alliance, Horizon Europe, NWO).
• Identifying, developing and maintaining relationships with potential bidding and implementation partners (e.g. TripleLine, DAI, European and international Universities)
• Working with colleagues in the Marketing and Communications Team to strengthen the visibility and branding of IHS to key funders and other stakeholders.
• Supporting colleagues in the Projects and Acquisition Team in the identification of opportunities, linking these with staff in IHS, and supporting the process of preparing Expressions of Interest and Proposals.
• Supporting efforts to expand funding for educational programmes (including short courses) and policy-relevant academic research.
• Participate in the delivery of postgraduate programmes, potentially including PhD supervision.
• Undertaking funded research and advisory work, in collaboration with internal and external colleagues, on topics related to IHS's vision and mission. This work is likely to include capacity strengthening with local and municipal governments, and supporting institutional development for universities and other research institutions.

You will report directly to the General Director of the Institute and it is anticipated that you will sit on the Leadership Team. Alongside the General Director and the Leadership Team, you play a critical role in developing and implementing IHS’s strategic framework for Projects and Partnerships, and aligning business development activities across the Projects and Acquisition Team, the Research Team, and the Marketing Team. You will lead a small project acquisition and management team.

About you

You have in-depth knowledge of international organizations active in housing and urban development, and experience of working with such organizations (either as a consultant/advisor or an employee). You have worked extensively in cities in low- and middle-income countries, ideally collaborating with academics and policy-makers. 

You have significant subject expertise in one or more areas related to housing and urban development studies. These might include – but are not limited to – urban socio-spatial development, urban sustainability and climate change resilience, and urban economics and governance, with a particular focus in low- and middle-income countries.

In addition to these core competencies, you:

• hold a Masters degree (PhD desirable) in urban planning, spatial planning, environmental sciences, economics, geography, sociology or other disciplines related to urban management and urban sustainability.
• have a strong commitment to innovation, with great communication and people skills and sufficient business maturity to communicate and influence (including at the executive level).
• are highly organized, proactive and independent, with the ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines;
• are confident and comfortable working in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• have shown and have a preference to collaborate with others, and you have experience of using various methods to build understanding and consensus.

The working language of the position will be in English, but Dutch would be a significant advantage.

Fixed-term contract: Starting for a period of 1 year, with possible extension to permanent employment.

Employment conditions and benefits

We offer a challenging job in an international and dynamic work environment, which provides the freedom and flexibility to perform your job to a high standard.

• The position is available in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
• Starting for a period of 1 year, with possible extension to permanent employment.
• The position needs a minimum of 32 hours per week to a maximum of 40 working hours per week.
• The gross monthly salary for full-time employment the minimum salary is €5.247 and maximum €6.737, according salary scale 12 of CAO NU. The employment conditions include a holiday allowance of 8.0% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. The ideal starting date would be as soon as possible.

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

About IHS

The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) is a centre of urban expertise at Erasmus University Rotterdam. At IHS, we envision liveable, socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable cities. Our mission is to inspire and empower urban professionals and citizens to make cities work for all.

Looking at cities from different perspectives, we educate urban professionals from diverse backgrounds, provide consultancy services to national and local governments and engage in cutting-edge urban research. Bringing practical experience from real-life projects back to the classroom, we inspire collaboration and co-creation of urban knowledge. Together with our partners, we work at the forefront of urban development to improve the wellbeing of people living in cities across the globe. IHS has a staff of approximately 45FTE – while we are based in Rotterdam, we have a strong interdisciplinary and international outlook and approach.

Projects are a key tool for delivering the mission of IHS and are a mainstay of the organization’s long-term financial stability. They include externally funded activities in the fields of advisory work, research, training and capacity building. At the same time, we can best achieve our mission through working in strong and effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders in Europe and internationally – from grassroots organizations to UN agencies.