Head of Netherlands

Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) is a leading global organisation dedicated to ending factory farming worldwide. We were founded in 1967 by Peter Roberts, a British farmer alarmed by the rise of factory farming. Over the past 50 years, we have made major strides in abolishing inhumane practices such as barren battery cages, veal crates, and sow gestation crates in the UK and Europe as well as campaigning for regenerative farming practices to replace factory farms.

Our approach involves campaigning, advocacy, and engagement with policymakers at national, intergovernmental, and corporate levels, as well as working directly with food businesses to improve animal welfare standards, building a movement of individuals and companies concerned about animal welfare and the health and sustainability of our food. We are driven by a passion for animal welfare and global food system change, believing in a future where animals are treated with compassion and respect, and where sustainable farming practices prevail for a healthy planet.

With team members in 14 countries on four continents, CIWF has been active in the Netherlands since 1998. Since then, we have been actively campaigning for the reduction of livestock and more regenerative farming practices in the Netherlands and improving the welfare of those farmed animals within factory farms. We work together with other animal rights activists, farmers, environmentalists, and companies to bring about change. 

Purpose of role

The purpose of the Head of Netherlands role is to help us bring about our mission to end factory farming. This role will contribute by:

• Developing and implementing Compassion’s strategic aims and objectives by translating it to on the ground campaigns within CIWF Netherlands including further engaging the Netherlands public on all issues relating to farmed animal welfare, factory farming and moving toward a regenerative food system.
• Leading and managing CIWF Netherlands to achieve greater impact for Compassion on its strategic aims.
• Supporting headquarters efforts to build a movement to end factory farming and towards a more regenerative food system.
• Driving forward CIWF’s campaigns, public affairs, media relations and fundraising work in the Netherlands.
• Engaging with public policymakers on a national level to change law, regulation and policy and working in coalitions to support collectively influencing public stakeholders.
• Building sound and constructive relationships with external stakeholders like thought leaders, INGOs and other key stakeholders to progress Compassion’s strategic aims.
• Building up the fundraising potential of the Netherlands office in support of CIWF’s work worldwide.

The role will hold the following position in the organisation:

• Reports by delegated authority from the Global Director of Campaigns, Policy Advocacy to the Associate Director of International programmes and impact.
• Supervises, directly or indirectly, all members of the Netherlands office and is responsible for its legal governance.
• Works closely with all members of the Global Leadership Team (GLT), the Global Director of Campaigns and Policy Advocacy senior management team, and the Director of Global Individual Giving.
• Responsible for ensuring fundraising targets can be achieved.
• Responsible for ensuring strategic alignment with HQ with Netherland’s campaign plans and activities and achievement of set objectives
• Responsible for managing relationships with key suppliers in the Netherlands.

Primary responsibilities

• To develop visionary plans and opportunities for CIWF’s growth.
• To develop visionary plans and opportunities for the development of CIWF Netherlands.
• Develop campaigns and advocacy that supports input into EU wide activities driven by HQ based on the political context of the Netherlands market.
• Develop a long-term plan for growth of the Netherlands and deliver Annual campaign plans in line with the organisation’s planning process
• To seize strategic and tactical opportunities that are specific to the Netherlands
• To develop and implement a public affair, public engagement, media relations and fundraising strategy for CIWF Netherlands.
• Drive impactful advocacy that influences the Netherlands government on relevant issues to Compassion and key stakeholders
• In partnership with the global fundraising team, implement the fundraising strategy (mainly in individual giving but also opening up income sources), ensure that targets are met and maintain an excellent level of stewardship.
• Represent CIWF Netherlands in key donor meetings and by working in partnership with the global major gifts team to maintain relationships with high level funders.
• Determine and manage the objectives of the Netherlands team in close collaboration with the functional Directors at HQ.
• To develop appropriate campaign and advocacy objectives for the Netherlands team in support of the HQ strategy and that of CIWF Netherlands.
• Lead, develop, support and motivate the Netherlands team.
• Represent CIWF Netherlands in the media, strategic and high-level forums as appropriate · To provide senior profile support in Netherlands to the Food Business team.
• To manage the Netherlands office, business operations and budgets.
• Participate in the annual budget process at HQ, providing input into relevant functional Directors.
• Ensure that all legal, financial and HR aspects of the Netherlands operation are managed and reported on appropriately, including ensuring the governance of CIWF Netherlands adheres to Netherlands requirements.

Inclusive of the following key responsibilities:

1) Campaign, Advocacy and Strategic Planning

• To develop, in partnership with relevant GLT members, advocacy and campaign plans align with Compassion’s strategic objectives, HQ global campaign plans and take advantage of campaign and fundraising opportunities within the Netherlands.
• To develop and build excellent relationships between the Netherlands team and the teams at HQ, ensuring effective communication alignment of campaign approach, and ways of working.
• To implement through coordinated planning HQ campaign strategies as and when required.
• To develop and implement public engagement, media relations and for the Netherlands, in close connection with the Associate Director of International Programmes and Impact and the Global Director of Individual Giving.
• Be an excellent spokesperson on key topics on behalf of CIWF Netherlands through engagement with the media and other social media platforms
• To ensure effective and timely delivery of mission delivery projects and plans Operations and Governance.

2) Operations and Governance

• To manage the Netherlands office business operations and budget.
• Manage and implement CIWF’s policies against the understanding that the office’s role is one that is centralised within the organisation’s hierarchy, and not independent of the international HQ.

3) Team Management and Leadership

• To determine the objectives of the Netherlands team in close collaboration with the Associate Director of International Programmes and Policy and the Director of Individual Giving.
• To develop and motivate the Netherlands team to achieve the objectives of Compassion Netherlands.
• Support a strong and committed team and harness their wellbeing.
• Develop and support diversity, equality and inclusiveness within the team.

4) Fundraising

• To champion and support year-on-year fundraising income growth in the Netherlands.
• Work closely with the HQ fundraising teams (Global Individual Giving, Legacies, Global Philanthropy) and manage the Netherlands fundraising staff to achieve agreed annual fundraising targets.
• Drive and champion integrated fundraising and campaign communications within the Netherlands.
• Represent CIWF in key donor meetings and by working in partnership with the global philanthropy team to maintain relationships with high level funders.

5) Additional Tasks

• As part of your employment, you may be required to travel anywhere within the world in order to carry out the duties of your employment.
• Due to the nature of the role, there may be a requirement to carry out some work out of office hours. This work is to be arranged in accordance with procedures.
• Take appropriate precautions to ensure the health and safety of yourself and others at work.
• Act in accordance with the principles of Compassion in World Farming’s Ethical Policy.
• In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and Compassion in World Farming’s requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals.
• Provide formal and informal training at the request of your line manager, senior manager or a director, on your areas of expertise, to other members of staff, work experience students, trustees etc.
• Actively support the promotion, delivery, and embedding of equality, inclusion and diversity.
• The job description is not exhaustive, and you may be asked to carry out additional tasks appropriate to your job role, as required by your line manager.

Profile

Proven Ability, Qualifications & Training

• Fully experienced at working in a campaigning or marketing background, communications and/or advocacy role at a senior level in the Netherlands and is aligned to CIWF’s mission and understands and supports CIWF’s strategy and positioning.
• Desirable to have worked in the charity/third sector in the Netherlands, preferably in the animal welfare, food system or environment sector.
• Proven knowledge/expertise/understanding of at least one of the following:  animal welfare, environment, and/or biodiversity in the Netherlands as well as of the state of the political and societal debate on these issues.
• Proven ability working with the political/lobbying mechanisms in the Netherlands, particularly on either animal welfare, environment, or climate issues.
• Proven ability representing an organisation to the media.
• Proven ability to lead, coordinate and motivate a team of different functions.
• Track record at growing an organisation whether income, movement or wins/influence.
• Solid understanding of marketing, communications and fundraising.
• Experience working with internationally based teams.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience of digital marketing techniques and/or social media influencing.
• Overall understanding of governance, HR and budgeting issues.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent. (Desirable)
• Experience managing or implementing a successful fundraising programme. (Desirable)

Skills, Knowledge & Attributes

• A strategic leader with gravitas and a can-do mentality able to engage in visionary debates as well as getting stuck in during busy times.
• A team builder.
• Excellent communication skills in both Dutch (native speaker level) and English – written, oral and presentation.
• Communicates with clarity.
• Able to support a strong and committed team and their wellbeing.
• Develops and supports diversity, equality and inclusiveness within the team.
• Ensures resources are directed towards strategic priorities and manages budget efficiently.
• Persuades large, critical or high-level groups, both internally and externally to make key decisions by using a range of information and persuasive techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively internally at all levels.
• Encourages a can-do culture of seizing opportunities as they arise.
• Delegates effectively, encouraging people to take responsibility.
• Encourages learning and drives for continuous improvement in their team decisions.
• Holds people accountable for the delivery of plans.
• Ensures that plans and objectives are both aligned and supportive of the wider organisation's strategy and priorities.

Terms and conditions

Dimensions & Limits of Authority

• Authority for the Netherlands budget.
• May authorise expenditure within budget within global policies.
• May recommend disciplinary action and training requirements for staff within own department.
• May select suppliers.
• May recommend/suggest action to take on difficult cases.

To apply for the post

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter (both in Dutch and English) outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement by clicking on the following link: https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17418580782920039627LQx

Please contact McAra Kirby-Fahey at mcara@darylupsall.com for any queries you may have.

The deadline for application is Monday July 7th, 2025

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Daryl Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required; irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability or sexual orientation.