Managing Director

What will you be doing?

Your primary responsibility is to further expand the role of Defence for Children Netherlands—the only legal children’s rights organization in the Netherlands—ensure its continuity, and optimize fundraising efforts

As a director, you are responsible for:

• developing and implementing multi-year policy plans;
• strengthening our collaboration with partners and expanding our network within the sector, the political sphere in The Hague, and the business community;
• managing finances, human resources, and IT, and ensuring the quality of the work, processes, and procedures;
• providing inspiring leadership to the management team (Program Manager and Manager of Communications, Public Affairs & Children’s Rights Helpdesk) and the support services (Finance, Secretariat, HR);
• ensuring sustainable and financially sound operations, including by developing Defence for Children Netherlands into a “Great Fundraising” organization;
• Serving as a spokesperson to promote the vision of Defence for Children Netherlands, while engaging the public and relevant stakeholders.

With your vision and entrepreneurial spirit, you will lead the further structuring and professionalization of the initiatives already underway. In this role, you will move seamlessly between strategic and operational responsibilities, and between external partners and internal colleagues. You will handle a wide range of tasks and perspectives, constantly balancing both broader, long-term goals and specific short-term needs.

Who are you?

The Executive Director we are looking for is energetic, results-oriented, strategic, and decisive. You have a proven commitment to and a clear vision of children’s rights. You can convey the story of Defence for Children Netherlands with conviction and are proactive and visible in doing so. You have experience in leadership and fundraising. You think in terms of opportunities and possibilities and have a positive attitude.

You remain calm and adaptable in unexpected situations. With an inspiring, collaborative leadership style, you know how to motivate knowledge workers. You possess an academic level of work and thinking, as well as a solid background in finance and business administration. You have strong interpersonal skills and a good understanding of relevant developments, enabling you to take strategic initiatives that align with societal trends related to Defence for Children Netherlands.

You bring a valuable network to the table, preferably within the political circles of The Hague and/or the business community. You are an innovative thinker who can set strategic and realistic goals and effectively steer their implementation. As an experienced administrator, you make policy decisions that are both socially responsible and financially feasible. You know how to strike a balance between ideals and reality in a complex political and administrative environment.

What do we offer?

A meaningful and varied role within an organization featuring knowledgeable, motivated staff, a strong Management Team, and a constructive and critical Board of Supervisors. You will have ample opportunity to further develop your skills as a director. In addition, we offer an attractive pension plan through the Zorg en Welzijn pension fund and a gross monthly salary up to scale 15 of the Social Work Collective Bargaining Agreement, along with excellent employment conditions.

About Defence for Children Netherlands

We advocate for the rights of children who are in difficult situations or at risk of falling into them—whether they are struggling within the youth care system, fleeing their homes, or are victims of violence or exploitation. Our mission is to ensure that all children have access to their rights, can grow up safely, and can develop to their full potential.

Through our Children’s Rights Help Desk, we provide legal support to children whose rights are at risk of being violated. We are unique in the Netherlands in this regard. We conduct research and provide information to professionals, parents, and children. We also advocate for better legislation and policy. Our focus is on family, migration, and (sexual) exploitation.

We carry out our work in the Netherlands, but—funded on a project basis—we also operate through the networks of Defence for Children International and ECPAT International in various countries around the world. We have about 30 staff members based in Leiden.

The current executive director, together with the team, has achieved excellent results over the past six years and is now moving on to a new challenge. That is why we are looking for a new executive director for this wonderful organization.

Diversity and Inclusion

As a children’s rights organization, we strive to build a team with diverse perspectives and welcome all forms of diversity. We encourage a wide range of candidates to apply so that our work reflects different cultures, approaches, and ways of thinking.

Apply

Are you ready to make a difference and protect children’s rights? Apply now!

You have until Monday, February 17, 2025, to apply. Interviews at our organization will take place in March. Please send your resume and cover letter exclusively via email toHR@defenceforchildren.nl. For more information about the position, please contact Carlyn van Gijlswijk at 06 38 57 11 72.

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.