Communications Officer – Donor Engagement

Hours: 32 hours per week (88.89%)

Reports to: Head of External Engagement

Contract Type: Fixed – Term 1 year contract with possibility of extension

Salary Range : NL scale 11: € 4.151,21 - € 5.523,71 gross per month based on 36 hours work week (100%).

Location: The Hague, The Netherlands

Deadline:  October 6th, 2026, 23.59 CET

* Kindly note that you must live in the Netherlands and be in possession of a valid work permit for the Netherlands.

This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive and creative professional who enjoys turning complex stories into compelling content, building strong relationships, and contributing to the growth of a mission-driven international organization.

Are you a creative communicator with a passion for building meaningful relationships and inspiring people to contribute to positive social change? Do you enjoy combining storytelling, donor engagement, and strategic communications to create lasting impact? If so, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role 

The Donor Engagement & Communications Officer is responsible for engaging, retaining, and growing Hivos' community of private donors in the Netherlands through strategic donor communications, storytelling, engagement activities, and visibility initiatives. The role combines donor stewardship, content development, campaign coordination, and partnership management to strengthen supporter relationships, generate new leads, and enhance Hivos' visibility and reputation in the Dutch market.

Working closely with fundraising, communications, and program colleagues, the Donor Engagement & Communications Officer ensures consistent and compelling donor communications across online and offline channels while maintaining the organization's Dutch tone of voice and brand presence.

Responsibilities and duties
Donor Communications and Retention

• Develop and execute donor communication plans aimed at strengthening donor engagement and retention.
• Coordinate and produce monthly email newsletters for private donors in the Netherlands.
• Manage the development and delivery of multiple annual direct mailings.
• Create and adapt communication materials across online and offline channels to engage and inspire supporters.
• Monitor donor communication performance and identify opportunities to improve engagement and retention.

Storytelling and Content Development 

• Develop compelling stories that communicate Hivos' impact, values, and program results to Dutch audiences.
• Gather, create, and adapt content from program teams and international colleagues for donor-facing communications.
• Translate complex program information into accessible and engaging content for supporters and prospects.
• Ensure storytelling is aligned with Hivos' brand identity, fundraising objectives, and audience needs.
• Support the creation of campaign materials, publications, and promotional content where needed.

Events, Partnerships and Visibility 

• Develop and coordinate collaborations, partnerships, and events that contribute to donor retention, lead generation, and increased visibility.
• Contribute to Hivos' participation in external events and visibility opportunities.
• Support the planning and execution of donor events and engagement activities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships and events against engagement and fundraising objectives.

Website and Digital Content Management 

• Manage and maintain Dutch-language website content, ensuring relevance, consistency, accuracy, and alignment with Hivos' strategy and values.
• Ensure all Dutch digital communications reflect an appropriate tone of voice and brand positioning.
• Optimize website content to improve user experience, supporter engagement, and fundraising outcomes.
• Collaborate with digital fundraising and communications colleagues to align website content with campaigns and donor journeys.

Cross-organizational Collaboration 

• Collaborate closely with fundraising, communications, program, and digital engagement colleagues to ensure aligned messaging and supporter experiences.
• Coordinate with international teams to adapt global content and campaigns for Dutch audiences.
• Contribute to external engagement, fundraising, and communications planning processes.
• Share insights from donors, supporters, and partners to improve communication and engagement strategies.
• Provide advisory and capacity building support for fundraising campaigns in other markets outside the Netherlands.

Profile and Skills 

• Strong written communication and storytelling skills
• Fluent in Dutch
• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
• Donor-centric mindset
• Planning and project management
• Creativity and content development
• Attention to detail and quality assurance
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Results orientation and initiative

Technical Skills

CMS management (WordPress), CRM systems (Engage), email marketing platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, content creation tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite), basic understanding of digital fundraising and donor journeys, web content optimization, and analytics tools (GA4 and/or Matomo).

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree level or equivalent professional experience in Communications, Marketing, Fundraising, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, donor communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement, or a similar role.
• Experience developing communication materials for donor or customer audiences across multiple channels.
• Experience coordinating events, partnerships, or engagement activities.
• Demonstrated experience in content creation and storytelling.
• Experience working with website content management systems and email marketing platforms.
• Affinity with the mission and values of Hivos.

What we offer

In this position you will work at the Hivos’ Office in the city center of The Hague. We offer a stimulating work environment in a professional international organization with very dedicated staff. We offer a local contract based on Hivos local labor conditions, with remuneration commensurate with the experience and expertise.

We provide a laptop and travel expenses according to our commuting policies, as well as participation in our pension fund. Flexible working arrangements to be discussed.

Want to apply?

Please submit a cover letter (maximum 1 page) and CV (maximum 2 pages) as soon as possible by clicking the ‘Apply here’ button. Applications are being received until October 6th, 2026, 23.59 CET.

Candidates are highly encouraged to provide a clear track record of results in their CV and to use their cover letter to clearly and concisely address the requirements of the role elaborated above.

If you are selected for the final stage of the selection process, please note that professional references will be asked for from your previous employers, and a safeguarding vetting will be done, in accordance with the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme's requirements, which Hivos has endorsed.

A police clearance (VOG) may be required (where the position requires it, and national laws allow it). Exceptions will only be made if there is prohibition of local legislation or when the candidate is unable to obtain police clearance due to activities on LGTB+ and Human Rights.

We may check social media – unless applicants state they do not wish us to do so. Accuracy of information in the curriculum vitae will also be checked