Private Partnerships & Philanthropy Specialist

Geneva

Organization: ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross
Location: Geneva
Grade: Mid level - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Public, Private Partnership
- 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 Partnerships & Philanthropy (PPP) Specialist enacts the ICRC private fundraising strategy and secures donations from the private sector. The purpose of this post consists in managing and developing a portfolio of donors for the different targets of middle and major supporters in Switzerland (individual middle and major donors, corporates, foundations, cantons and municipalities).

Reports to (role)

Private Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager(REM_CH).
Leadership Giving Head (REM Center of Expertise).

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

Strategy and donors portfolio

Within the scope of the ICRC resource mobilization strategy and in coordination with the PPP manager, co-develop an action plan for the different targets of middle and major donors in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
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.

Data, Forecast and Budget

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.
Contribute to the expected annual income forecast and related acquisition and stewardship expenditures in the budget and contribute to forecast and budget monitoring throughout the year.
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.

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 to present the ICRC in a convincing and appealing manner to the high-level stakeholders’ prospects and donors.
Externally, interact with the 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 (SIP) 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

5 – 9 years professional experience, including a significant time in private sector fundraising (major gifts).
Operational field experience with the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement or another international humanitarian organizations a plus.
Solid understanding and experience of fundraising principles and approach and ability to manage a robust account management portfolio.

Key Competencies

Very good knowledge of the Swiss economic and philanthropic world.
Knowledge of databases and CRM management.
Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills.
Perseverance, ability to navigate in a complex institutional set-up
Experience of budget and forecast planning.
Flexibility and independence and self-motivation
Passion for humanitarian work and strong commitment to the mission of the ICRC.
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.