We are looking for a committed Funding Lead to develop and expand European Relations’ Funding Department, build up a dedicated team, and secure the resources that will allow our organisation to grow.
As European Relations is a non-profit organisation, all positions are volunteer and unpaid.
About European Relations Association (ERA)
European Relations is a volunteer-based non-profit organisation focused on international affairs, European politics, and global governance. We publish analyses, commentary, and research while providing students and young professionals with opportunities to gain experience in international policy and organisational leadership. Our goal is to make young people’s expertise heard in the European discourse.
As ERA continues to grow, we are looking for someone to take our Funding Department to the next level, strengthening and diversifying our funding activities and building a team around them.
📌What You’ll Do
- Lead the Funding Department and build up your own team by recruiting and coordinating new team members;
- Further develop ERA’s funding structures, turning initial work into a clear funding strategy, reliable internal processes, and a steady pipeline of opportunities;
- Identify and assess potential funding sources, including foundations, public funding programmes, sponsorships, awards, and competitions;
- Write and coordinate funding applications and grant proposals, many of which will be in German;
- Build and maintain relationships with potential sponsors, partners, and funding bodies;
- Work closely with the Executive Board and all other departments to align funding opportunities with ERA’s projects and to support each other’s work.
You will be part of the Extended Board and the Board will support you with strategic decisions, contacts, and project information, and you will in turn help turn ideas into fundable projects. Tasks are shared and coordinated, never carried out in isolation.
What We’re Looking For
- A strong interest in fundraising, grant writing, or partnerships, and the willingness to dive into a new field;
- Prior experience in fundraising, grant applications, sponsoring, or project management in a student organisation, NGO, association, think tank, or similar environment is an advantage, but not required;
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken) at C1 level or above;
- Good knowledge of German is a strong advantage, as most funding applications will be written in German;
- Enrolment in at least the second year of a Bachelor’s programme or a completed degree;
- Strong writing skills and the ability to present ideas clearly and convincingly;
- A proactive, self-driven working style. You spot opportunities, take initiative, and follow through independently;
- A structured and reliable approach, especially when working towards deadlines;
- Estimated workload: up to 5 hours per week, with flexible scheduling. Workload may vary around application deadlines. The role is open to applicants based in Europe or elsewhere, provided that working in European time is feasible.
What We Offer
- You will help shape our structure, processes, and long-term strategy, leaving a lasting institutional footprint on the organisation.
- Hands-on experience in grant writing, fundraising, and partnership management. These skills are in high demand in NGOs, international organisations, foundations, policy institutions, and consulting.
- Leadership experience: you will build and lead your own team.
- Close collaboration with the Board and direct insight into the strategic development of a growing international organisation.
- The chance to see your work translate into concrete results: every successful application or partnership directly enables new projects.
- The possibility to publish articles and policy pieces on European Relations, strengthening your academic or professional portfolio.
- Opportunity to work with a diverse, international team of students and young professionals engaged in international affairs and European policy.
- ERA is fully remote and volunteer-based, offering a flexible time commitment and location-independent collaboration, ideal alongside studies or early-career work.
“Working with the European Relations team is an incredibly enriching experience, defined by mutual appreciation, commitment, and the freedom to bring in your own ideas.” (Nicolás Heck, Editor-in-Chief)
If this sounds like you, we look forward to receiving your application!
How To Apply
Please send your application, including the required documents as a PDF file, via email to [email protected] with the subject line “Funding Lead – [your name]”.
Application documents:
📄 Your CV outlining relevant experience for the position, in particular in fundraising, grant writing, sponsoring, project management, or organisational work in a student organisation, NGO, association, think tank, or similar environment
📄 Short motivation letter in which you describe your motivation to join European Relations in this position
📄 Proof of English proficiency (e.g., certificate, proof of native-level fluency, or enrolment in/completion of an English-taught degree) is beneficial, but not required
📄Certificate of enrolment in at least the second year of a Bachelor’s programme, enrolment in a Master’s programme, or a completed degree
The application deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, though we kindly ask for patience while we process your submission.
If you have any questions regarding your application, please direct them to [email protected]. The selection process will consist of one to two individual interviews to get to know you better.
We value diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of ethnic, cultural, or social origin, gender, age, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.
