Grant Acquisition Specialist

Join The Ocean Cleanup

MISSION TO METRICS

The Ocean Cleanup is on a mission to develop and scale technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. To accelerate our impact, we need a seasoned Grants Acquisition Specialist with a demonstrable history of winning large-scale institutional grants—someone who can secure six- and seven-figure funding from governments, multilateral organizations, and major foundations.

If you have a proven track record of securing high-value grants and thrive in a mission-driven environment, this is your opportunity to drive transformative change.

"We are at a pivotal moment in expanding our funding opportunities to scale our mission of removing plastic from our oceans. We are excited to welcome a seasoned Grants Acquisition Specialist who will play a key role in identifying, applying for, and winning institutional grants to drive our impactful initiatives forward at scale."
Montgomery Simus, Global Director of Public Affairs, Policy, and Blue Finance.

THE ASSIGNMENT

The Global Public Affairs Team is responsible for engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, monitoring global developments, and identifying opportunities to advance our mission. As a Grants Acquisition Specialist, you will be the driving force behind securing institutional funding by leveraging your expertise in identifying, applying for, and winning grants.

This is not just an application-writing role—it’s a strategic position where success is measured in millions secured and impact delivered.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proactively identify and pursue high-value grant opportunities aligned with The Ocean Cleanup’s mission and objectives.
• Develop and submit winning proposals—combining technical rigor, persuasive storytelling, and strategic alignment with donor priorities.
• Manage the full grant lifecycle—from prospecting to reporting—ensuring compliance and strong funder relationships.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, and program teams to ensure seamless grant execution and accountability.
• Support the Global Public Affairs team in building and maintaining relationships with key institutional funders, positioning the Ocean Clean Up as a preferred partner.
• Contribute to identifying and pursuing additional institutional funding opportunities beyond traditional grants.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Ideally 5+ years of direct experience securing institutional grants—with a track record of winning six- and seven-figure awards (e.g., EU Horizon, UNEP, World Bank, USAID, major foundations).
• An advanced degree in international relations, public administration, communications, finance, or a related field. We will consider candidates without a degree if they have the required years of significant experience.
• Exceptional proposal-writing skills—able to craft compelling, data-driven narratives that secure funding.
• In-depth knowledge of grant administration regulations, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Deep expertise in institutional donor landscapes—knowing how governments, multilateral agencies, and large foundations allocate funding. In particular the United Nations, European Union, and national governments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and grant management tools.
• Experience in a scale-up or non-profit organization is a plus.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• A hunter mentality—relentless in pursuing and winning major funding opportunities.
• Strategic thinker—able to align funder priorities with organizational goals.
• Master storyteller—turning complex projects into compelling grant proposals.
• Passionate about impact—driven by the mission to rid the oceans of plastic.
• Language proficiency: Fluent in English (written and spoken); Dutch is a plus.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Starting Date: As soon as possible.
• Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
• Work Permit: A valid European Union work permit is highly preferred.
• Salary: As a non-profit organization, our salaries reflect our reliance on donations rather than commercial funding.
• Pre-Employment Check: Conducting a pre-employment check is part of our recruitment process.
• At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe in the strength of diversity and the unique contributions each individual brings. We are committed to fair, equal opportunity, and transparent hiring practices and welcome special needs requests.

If you’re a grant-winning powerhouse with a history of securing major institutional funding, we want you on our team. Apply now and help us scale the fight against ocean plastic.