Netherlands: Alliance Coordinator for the Down to Zero Alliance

About Terre des Hommes Netherlands: 

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is part of the International Federation of Terre des Hommes organisations, a strategic partnership of member organisations sharing the same brand name and core values for joint lobby and advocacy around children’s rights. Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) protects children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our work is grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Under our new Global Strategy (2023 - 2030), TdH NL is redefining and refining our role as a child rights organisation, with the strategic ambition that “by 2030, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is a catalyst for systemic change to stop child exploitation. We do this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, and utilising our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.”

TdH Netherlands is led by a three-headed Executive Team: the Managing Director, the Director of Operations and the Director of Programmes.

The values of TdH Netherlands are: Responsible, Bold, Human-Centred and Playful.

The organisation's core principles are:

1. Children at the Centre
2. Intersectionality and Power Awareness
3. Safety and Wellbeing,
4. Sustainability, and
5. Meaningful and Strategic Partnerships.

In line with our new strategy, TdH NL is in the process of establishing three thematic programmes under which our portfolio of humanitarian and development projects and programmes will be managed. These are: 1. Worst Forms of Child Labour, 2. Sexual Exploitation of Children, and 3. Humanitarian Action. Our programmatic work is supported by two cross-programmatic units: Programme Development and Quality (PDQ), and Research, Expertise and Influencing (REI). Aligned to our new strategy, and based on many years of experience as a child rights organisation, we aim to consolidate our expertise and programme management, informed by research, to bring about sustainable and systemic change in the lives of children, and to hold duty bearers accountable.

The focus of TdH NL regarding humanitarian action is on child protection in emergencies (CPiE), with a particular focus on the protection of children from exploitation.

About the Down to Zero Alliance: 

The Down to Zero (DtZ) Alliance consists of 6 members, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is the lead organisation, other members are Plan International Nederland, Defence for Children - ECPAT, Free a Girl, Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia) and Conexión. Together they aim to prevent and stop sexual exploitation of children in twelve countries in Asia and Latin America, by implementing the Down to Zero - Stepping Up the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children (SUFASEC) programme (March 2023 - end of February 2026), funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The SUFASEC programme has three main objectives; children, youth and their communities challenge social norms and harmful practices related to SEC, children and others work with duty bearers, such as governments and other authorities to hold them accountable to their obligations towards improved implementation of laws, policies and systems and children and youth have access to and are supported by strengthened assets and protective environments.

The Alliance Desk: 

The SUFASEC programme is implemented in twelve countries with 20+ implementing partners. In addition, the SUFASEC programme has a Lobby and Advocacy component, operating at the regional, international and EU levels with linkages to lobby and advocacy taking place in the countries.

As part of the ‘Shifting the Power’ paradigm the Alliance is implementing a new governance structure including Country / Cross Country Coordinators positioned in the implementing countries, Youth and Child Advisory Groups as well as a Global Advisory Committee.

The DtZ Alliance is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Alliance Coordinator (AC) to be positioned in the DtZ Desk. This role provides coordination, collaboration and strategic thinking in working closely with the Global Steering Committee (GSC) members and other stakeholders. The AC will also work closely with the (part-time) PME officer, finance officer, communications advisor and the Lead Senior Programme Manager as well as with the Country / Cross Country Coordinators to facilitate the new governance set up.

The AC is primarily responsible for supporting and coordinating the work on the GSC, guarding the alignment of its various programmatic components, maintaining an overview of key priorities and reporting. The GSC is responsible for the overall running of the programme: that it is implemented according to the plan and budget and that the quality is up to standard. The GSC consists of one programme representative of each Alliance member and the Alliance Coordinator. ​

Position in the Alliance: 

The AC works for the entire Alliance and for each of its members and has a neutral position. The AC is contracted by TdH NL as the lead organisation and is managed by the TdH Senior Programme Manager but reports to the GSC. For performance appraisals input from Alliance members will be asked. The coordinator is paid 100% by the Down to Zero / SUFASEC budget.

Position in Terre des Hommes: 

The AC is a key member of the TdH Thematic Programme on SEC ensuring quality Alliance coordination. Where the AC serves the entire Alliance, the Lead Senior Programme Manager works with TdH colleagues in the countries where TdH implements the programme and has a focus on the contractual obligations between TdH and MFA for the SUFASEC programme and is overall responsible for the programme. Both the AC and the Lead Senior Programme Manager work closely with other departments of TdH e.g. to seek technical advice. The AC is based in The Hague at the office of Terre des Hommes for 32 hours per week. In agreement with other Netherlands based Alliance members, the AC is free to visit and work at their offices and should be willing and able to travel to the regions e.g. to attend workshops / regional meetings.

Responsibilities: 

1. Support the Global Steering Committee to realise the programme objectives: 

Aim: ​The GSC is facilitated so that the programme is implemented according to plan and its commitments to the donor; the ​Alliance is inspired, involved, informed, and well-functioning. Tasks include to:

• Collaborate constructively with GSC members and think strategically with GSC within the programme and beyond, provide a helicopter view of the programme ensuring smooth coordination. Maintain contacts with the Alliance members and other stakeholders;
• Plan and participate in the DtZ Board of Directors meetings. Take minutes of BoD meetings to ensure everyone is well informed;
• Chairs and prepares the GSC meetings. The GSC strives to take its decisions supported by all participants (unanimity);
• Join the Lead PM and Alliance members in regular meetings with MFA with the aim to further build the relationship, engage and influence MFA by sharing information / research / best practices etc, in close collaboration with the GSC and with input from the international / EU and regional L&A and country coordinators;
• Prepare internal Alliance communication (including newsletters) informing and inspiring members, implementing partners regarding upcoming events, such as workshops, webinars and other activities, developments of the programme including Lobby and Advocacy, PME, planning etc.
• Organise (regional) meetings including kick-offs, content discussions, PME sessions, etc.
• In collaboration with the GSC and the TdH Programme Development and Quality team to follow up on reviews and evaluations to ensure that recommendations are implemented to improve (future) programming.

2. Ensure quality processes and links with Country / Cross Country Coordinators: 

Aim: Promote knowledge-exchange and learning at different levels and disseminate guidance from the GSC, with the aim to follow up on the new governance structure and enhance the impact of the programme. Tasks include to:

• Liaise with Country and Cross Country Coordinators to foster collaboration and flow of information between the country coordinators and the GSC and vice-versa, inviting them on a regular basis to GSC meetings to enable effective exchange and have alignment between the GSC and countries;
• Provide guidance and support (in collaboration with the PME Working Group) to country teams when needed regarding learning;
• Link country teams to share learning topics, methodologies, etc and link the GSC to country teams for updates on learning or provide follow up to learning;
• Proactively identify problems or obstacles and suggest solutions to resolve them as quickly as possible. Be alert and anticipate opportunities, new situations or problems, and act on them at an early stage;
• Support the Alliance with developing new programme proposals.

3. Ensure effective workflows: 

Aim: Work processes ​such as the PME cycle are implemented according to the expectations of the donor and the Alliance. Tasks include to:

• Collaborate with the PME Working Group to ensure Alliance members and implementing partners are well-informed about the PME processes, and identify support needed, for example training;
• Develop and roll-out short and long term strategic and operational planning, frameworks and formats for programming and narrative reporting;
• Set up processes and consolidate annual plans and narrative progress reports to be submitted to MoFA;
• Coordinate safeguarding training and capacity strengthening by organising webinars, workshops or events with technical support from Alliance members and / or those in the related working groups;
• Monitor progress updates including monitoring of Shared Alliance budget, and support the Lead PM by facilitating processes in making sure the programme is implemented according to plan, on time and on budget;
• Participate in the Communications and PME Working Groups by providing support to the leads of the working groups and providing a link to the GSC. The AC in collaboration with the M&E Working Group also prepares and supports the end-evaluation process.

Key Competences: 

• Multi-Stakeholder and multi cultural Collaboration: Able to collaborate and communicate in an Alliance / Partnership setting with a large number and culturally diverse stakeholders demonstrating culturally sensitive behaviour with a diverse range of people;
• Planning & Organising: Has an overview of the programme, able to provide planning and coordination to align activities and support. A highly organised and efficient individual, demonstrated ability to to handle multiple tasks, keen eye for priorities and deadlines and able to communicate these clearly. Inspires and encourages others in the Desk and in the Alliance to plan and organise to meet set objectives;
• Problem-solving ability: Can identify and articulate the core of the problem, can initiate the collection of relevant data and can propose constructive solutions and actively seek logical, tangible and realistic solutions for problems;
• Performance / results orientation: Able to work independently and at own initiative to make a contribution to achieving the shared objectives as well as able to work collaboratively with the GSC, working group members, Country and Cross Country Coordinators and other stakeholders;
• Can articulate the results to be achieved – and achieves them!
• Analytical & Strategic thinking: is able to oversee the programme, being aware of political sensitivity and able to identify strategic opportunities;
• Thematic areas: Familiar with key concepts such as sexual exploitation of children, gender, diversity and inclusiveness, rethinking/reorienting power, social norm change, safeguarding, theory of change, PME methodologies etc.
• Committed to TdH’s core values and principles including placing children at the centre.

About You: 

• An academic education at Master level in a relevant field, demonstrating high level applied or academic thought, working ability and analytical skills;
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years of demonstrable experience in working in an multi-stakeholder and multi-cultural environment, in coordinating alliances / strategic partnerships funded by a major donor, preferably the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Knowledge of and demonstrable experience with multi year project management cycles in an (I)NGO​;
• Knowledge of and insight in thematic areas / key concepts relevant to the SUFASEC programme, such as ​Child Rights, SEC, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR);
• Experience in PME, including working with Theory of Change, results frameworks, outcome harvesting, learning methodologies;
• Energetic, entrepreneurial, result driven and able to inspire and mobilise others, has a can do mentality and a positive attitude. Able to receive and provide feedback;
• Able to maintain overview, ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines, has good planning and organising skills and a keen eye for priority setting;
• ​Excellent speaking and writing ​skills ​in Dutch and English to communicate within the Alliance, write reports, newsletters, etc. Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.

How to Apply: 

Salary Range: €3,501.97- €4,461.39 gross, based on a full time (36 hour) contract. (based on Netherlands rates)

Permits required: Candidates are required to have the right work and residence permits in the country where the role is advertised.

Do you want to join our team as our new Alliance Coordinator for the Down to Zero Alliance? Then we'd love to hear about you!

Send in your application before October 22nd 6 pm CET via this link.

The new Alliance Coordinator will get an employee contract until the end of this programme (end of February 2026). Potential extension of this programme is unknown at this point. Being a member of the TdH staff, the Alliance Coordinator will be treated as an internal applicant when applying for another position at TdH at this point.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Integrity and Child Safeguarding: 

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation. We continue to learn about intersectional considerations and power distribution within our organisation and our work. Terre des Hommes Netherlands is dedicated to preventing and eradicating any type of misconduct including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any other type of misuse of power, lack of integrity or financial misconduct.

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is particularly committed to keeping children and vulnerable individuals safe, and has zero tolerance on (child) abuse. Every Terre des Hommes Netherlands employee is bound by the Child Safeguarding Policy and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy, part of our Code of Conduct. Child safeguarding measures are part of our selection and recruitment process.

Note: We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. All offers of employment will therefore be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include a valid criminal record check, terrorism finance checks, and/or integrity screenings/references relating to misconduct and disciplinary actions in prior employment. By submitting your application you accept that Terre des Hommes Netherlands will conduct such pre-employment screening for successful candidates. Terre des Hommes Netherlands participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.