Private Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager

Geneva

Organization: ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross
Location: Geneva
Grade: Senior level - Senior
Occupational Groups:
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Public, Private Partnership
- Managerial positions
- Impact investing, Social venture capital
Closing Date: Closed

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), www.icrc.org, responds to worldwide humanitarian needs through its global network of delegations. The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.

The ICRC’s Resource Mobilization Strategy 2020-2030 and its Strategy Implementation Plan (SIP) lays out an ambitious agenda for change, both in the Resource Mobilization Division (REM) and across the ICRC. Within REM, the REM Swiss Unit (REM_CH) plays a key role in spearheading the ICRC private fundraising. During the past 5 years, approximately 70% of the overall private income stems from the Swiss Unit, providing the ICRC with predictable and diversified private funding in support of the ICRC’s mandate, while also serving as a testing and learning ground for the implementation of the ICRC Resource Mobilization Strategy. The Swiss Unit is one of the seven business units of the Resource Mobilization Division. With a staff of 13, it raised more than CHF 54 million in 2021 from individuals, foundations, companies and cantons/municipalities as well as through its Legacies & Inheritances activities.

Purpose

The Private Partnership and Philanthropy Manager’s position entails two pronged responsibilities: a. supervise, coordinate and provide technical support for the daily work of the current team composed of 3 PPP specialists and 1 associate (trainee); b. directly manage a portfolio of major funders, by building personalized relationships in order to ensure long-term support.

Reports to (role)

Private Fundraising Coordinator (REM_CH).
Leadership Giving Head (REM Center of Expertise).

Accountabilities and Functional responsibilities

Co-design and implementation of the strategy

Upgrade and optimize the overall strategy for the different targets of middle and major donors (individual donors, companies, foundations, associations, municipalities) in Switzerland and Liechtenstein within the scope of the ICRC fundraising strategy, and alongside the PPP specialist team and the private fundraising Coordinator.
Define the means to be implemented to facilitate the approach and contact with middle and major donors, guiding the team in drawing up the annual action plan and forecasting expected annual income and expenditure budgets and ensuring budget monitoring.
Alongside the private fundraising Coordinator and the experts form the Center of expertise, develop, coordinate and implement fundraising related activities in the short, medium and long term.

Identification, qualification and development of donors

Manage and develop a portfolio of major-donors by building and maintaining personalized relationships in order to ensure long-term financial support to ICRC operations. This includes working in acquiring, stewarding and maintaining middle givers and encouraging them to evolve in their supporter journey by increasing their commitment. Use moves management strategies ; analyze interactions and search relationship development.
Define the profiles and potential of new major donors in the area of intervention, by using necessary data (database, press reports, web sources, agencies, etc.) and define donor targets according to affinities and proximity to ICRC’s mission and develop outreach strategy for prospects and new donors.
Plan, request and participate in the elaboration of project proposals adapted to major donors in order to raise their interest and eventually secure commitments. Liaise proactively with colleagues across REM and the organization, notably from operations, to interact with high value donors, convincing them about the humanitarian impact of the ICRC. Ensure that the proper follow-up steps are then taking care of (acknowledgment, follow-up, reporting, etc.).
Develop concepts and content for fundraising events; organize, manage and animate such events when relevant.
Work with ICRC internal resources: field actors, experts, managers, senior leadership or board members when relevant around fundraising relationships, complying with the REM strategy implementation plan.
Liaise with other REM colleagues to ensure alignment, synergies and effective use of materials, invitations, stewardship events, etc.; and involve and manage external agencies as necessary.
Liaise with Swiss RC counterpart when and where relevant to create synergies and alignment, in close coordination with the private fundraising manager in Switzerland.

Accountabilities and Functional responsibilities

Private Fundraising relationships from Germany and Austria

In accordance with the Movement’s fundraising principles, when opportunities arise with middle and major donors or other private entities in Germany and Austria, ensure the adequate acquisition and stewardship of these relationships.
Where relevant liaise with German, Liechtenstein and Austrian Red Cross, in close coordination with the Head of Unit.

Data, Forecast and Budget

Oversee the expected annual income forecast and related acquisition and stewardship expenditures in the budget and ensure to forecast and to monitor the budget throughout the year.
Ensure that all donors interactions are responded to in a timely manner and recorded appropriately in the CRM; ensure compliance with data protection laws and guidelines. Ensure the monitoring of results and identify risks and actions needed to mitigate the impact on revenues.
Keep up to date with fundraising innovative approaches and new fundraising techniques and results of other organizations, above all in Switzerland. Propose and implement the most relevant ones.

People management responsibilities

Guide, advise, supervise and manage three PPP specialist positions and an associate (trainee) position in unfolding annual action plans and implementing fundraising-oriented activities.
Engage in ongoing and continuous feedback and support, particularly for the three employees under supervision, but also other staff members.
Participate actively in meetings within the team to ensure optimal coordination of the work and proper flow of information.
Understand and supervise the Performance Management & Development (PMD) activities for employees under your supervision. Make sure that deadlines for the PMD cycle are met.
Ensure that job descriptions for employees under supervision are up to date; seek feedback and support from the HR Department if needed.
Plan and coordinate the annual leave of the employees under supervision ensuring continuity of the operations and making sure that there are no outstanding holiday balances at the end of the year.
Coordinate and support the employees under supervision in their personal development by coaching and advising them on internal and external training and development possibilities.

Relationships

Work closely with the Swiss Unit team to ensure coherence of fundraising related activities. Cooperate closely with the other REM units.
Internally, interact across hierarchies and work with the relevant Departments when relevant to present the ICRC in a convincing and appealing manner to the high-level stakeholders’ prospects and donors.
Externally, it interacts with Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, UN, and Swiss and international INGO representatives as well as relevant think tanks, academic institutions and other centers of expertise.

Additional Duties

The post will involve some work beyond normal working hours, as evening events take place. Travel within Switzerland is required for personalized relationships.
Feedback information and knowledge to REM Strategy Implementation Plan team related to private sector stakeholders re. ICRC’s positioning.
Represent the Unit, REM and the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and during events, and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image.
Take responsibility for your own professional learning and development

Certifications / Education required

University degree or advanced certification in fundraising, marketing, communication or business.
German (or Swiss-German) or French mother tongue (the alternative language should be understood (B1)), fluent in English. Any other language an asset.
Computer proficiency.

Professional Experience required

10 – 12 years professional experience in similar functions or in high-level relational functions, public relations, commercial responsibility with major accounts, including a significant time in private fundraising and team management
In-depth knowledge of the Swiss fundraising ecosystem and philanthropic networks
Operational field experience with the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement or another international humanitarian organizations are an asset

Key Competencies

Knowledge of databases and CRM management.
Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills.
Perseverance, ability to navigate in a complex institutional set-up
Flexibility and independence and self-motivation
Passion for humanitarian work and strong commitment to the mission of the ICRC.
Ability to manage a team, with sensitivity to cultural differences.
Persuasive and negotiating skills focused on the donor's needs.
Excellent interpersonal skills, a positive attitude and the ability to pass on knowledge with enthusiasm.