The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) is inviting applications for a Project Officer position in Amsterdam, Netherlands, offering a gross monthly salary of up to €3,780 for a full-time 40-hour working week. The position provides an opportunity for professionals with experience in project acquisition, budgets, contracts, grants and stakeholder coordination to join KIT’s Project Office.
The position is offered as a 32–40-hour-per-week maternity leave replacement, with an expected start date of 1 November 2026, or earlier if possible. Applications are open until 15 September 2026.
KIT is an independent knowledge institute, business hub and conference centre working toward an inclusive and sustainable world. Through its Amsterdam campus and international network, the organisation supports people and communities working toward positive change.
The successful Project Officer will join a team of five experienced professionals within KIT’s Project Office. The team manages acquisition and contract processes for approximately 45 KIT experts working on development projects across areas including Sustainable Economic Development, Global Health, Gender and Education.
This makes the position particularly relevant for professionals interested in international development, donor-funded projects and global development cooperation.
Key Responsibilities
The Project Officer will play an important role in managing project acquisition and contract-related processes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing project acquisition processes through tender procedures.
- Screening the market for potential opportunities for KIT Institute.
- Assessing tender feasibility and advising KIT team managers.
- Preparing and developing project budgets.
- Negotiating and preparing contracts.
- Evaluating funding and partnership agreements.
- Supporting project managers, funders and partners with budget and contract matters.
- Advising stakeholders during project implementation.
- Monitoring GDPR compliance and internal procedures.
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date internal systems.
The role therefore requires someone who can combine strong organisational skills with financial awareness, stakeholder management and attention to detail.
Who Can Apply?
KIT is seeking candidates with a university or higher vocational education in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Organisational Management, Economics, Law or Management.
Applicants should also have strong assessment and analytical skills and relevant professional experience in areas such as:
- Business development
- Donor regulations
- Grants and funding schemes
- EU funding
- Budgeting requirements
- Contract management
- Project coordination
Candidates should have an excellent command of written and spoken English and a good working knowledge of Dutch. French language skills are considered an advantage.
Applicants should also demonstrate an entrepreneurial and solution-oriented approach, particularly when working with donor budget restrictions. Strong planning, monitoring, networking and stakeholder coordination skills are important for success in the position.
Professional Experience Required
KIT requires a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience. Experience working with institutional donors is considered an advantage.
The organisation is particularly interested in someone who can work independently, take initiative and manage multiple stages of acquisition processes with accuracy.
The position could therefore appeal to professionals who have worked in international development organisations, consulting, project management, grants administration, donor-funded programmes or business development.
Salary and Benefits
The successful candidate will receive a gross monthly salary of between €3,138 and €3,780, depending on experience, based on a 40-hour working week.
Additional benefits include:
- 8% holiday allowance
- Admission to the ABP pension fund
- Approximately 25 vacation days
- 13 ADV days when working full-time
- Travel allowance
- NS Business Card, kilometre allowance or bicycle plan
- A workplace in a historic building in central Amsterdam
- The possibility of working from home for up to 50% of the working time
- A diverse and multidisciplinary working environment
- Opportunities for professional and personal development
The appointment will initially be a one-year contract to cover maternity leave.
Location and Work Arrangement
The position is based at KIT’s historic premises at Mauritskade 64, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Applicants should note an important eligibility requirement: candidates must either reside in the Netherlands or already have a work and residence permit for the Netherlands.
This means international applicants who do not currently have the necessary Dutch residence and work authorisation may not meet the eligibility requirements.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should prepare an application demonstrating their relevant experience in project acquisition, donor funding, budgeting, contracts, stakeholder management and international development.
Applications must be submitted directly to hr@kit.nl.
The application deadline is 15 September 2026.
Candidates seeking additional information about the position can contact Inge Voss at i.voss@kit.nl.
Applicants are encouraged to review the official vacancy information carefully before submitting their applications and ensure that their qualifications and professional experience clearly correspond with KIT’s requirements.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
The KIT Project Officer role offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of international development, project acquisition, funding, contracts and global research.
For professionals with relevant experience, the position provides exposure to projects spanning Sustainable Economic Development, Global Health, Gender and Education while working alongside experienced specialists in Amsterdam.
KIT also emphasises inclusivity, diversity, initiative and ownership, making the opportunity potentially attractive to professionals seeking a role within an international and multidisciplinary organisation.
With a salary of up to €3,780 gross per month, additional employment benefits and the opportunity to contribute to projects with international development impact, this position represents an interesting career opportunity for qualified project and grants professionals.
Key Details at a Glance
Position: Project Officer
Organisation: KIT
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Working hours: 32–40 hours per week
Salary: €3,138–€3,780 gross per month
Contract: One-year maternity leave replacement
Expected start: 1 November 2026 or earlier
Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience
Deadline: 15 September 2026
Application: i.voss@kit.nl.
