External Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator (Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. 

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Following a 2022 restructure, the IFRC Regional Office for Europe has established a new team under the Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization unit to drive new donor development and to diversify its income streams with non-Movement partners. The new team aims to grow and diversify thematic and emergency funding for the membership in line with the annual plans. To achieve this the External Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator will be responsible for identifying and pursuing multi-regional, multi-year and multi-million partnership opportunities with various external stakeholders, such as major donors, multilateral organizations and other NGOs. 

The External Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator will plan and implement an extensive new donor acquisition and development strategy for IFRC Regional Office for Europe in close coordination with relevant regional units and under the supervision of the Regional Head, Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation. The post-holder will lead on such streams as major donors (Corporates, High Net Worth Value Individuals, and Foundations), multilaterals (Development Banks and Financial Institutions, the UN organisations, etc), and other non-profits (NGOS, Associations, Academia etc). As part of their duties, the External Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator will also lead on (1) fundraising product development with a focus on multi-regional, multi-year and multi-million partnership opportunities, (2) research and consultancy management with a focus on identifying new opportunities and appropriate positioning, (3) Innovative financing and endowment workstream, and (4) the commercial income generation workstream. 

The incumbent will manage a team of IFRC staff, consultants and will engage with outsourced agencies will be a practiced negotiator, presenter, and networker. As part of their duties, the External Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator will oversee co-design process for bids, proposals, and contracts. 

Resource mobilization for IFRC’s Emergency Appeals and Development Plans (Thematic Funding) in Europe
• Work in close coordination with relevant colleagues to support the IFRC’s resource mobilization efforts for emergencies and long-term development work, with a focus on meeting annual financial targets.
• Work on attracting and developing new partnerships with the private sector, multilateral donors, and other NGOs, focusing on multi-year, multi-million and multi-country partnerships.
• Together with the relevant team members, establish systemic resource mobilization strategies and plans on attracting and developing external partnerships throughout the year.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders through regular communication and comprehensive stewardship strategies and activities.

Consultancy Coordination, Research and Development
• Conduct relevant market research to identify potential funding sources, including project grants, consultancy opportunities, and other funding envelopes that can be tapped in by IFRC and its membership.
• Analyse funding trends and prioritize opportunities based on their alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Lead on the development of and maintenance of potential funding opportunity databases, including deadlines, application requirements, and other pertinent details.
• Lead on managing relevant consultancies and agencies on behalf of the Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization team.

Business Development and Competency Expansion
• In close co-ordination with the HR team, develop and lead on strategies and partnerships strengthening IFRC ROE talent resourcing (interns, corporate volunteers, staff-on-loan etc).
• Research and identify innovative financing mechanisms, such as impact bonds, social impact investment, and blended finance, that could be used to fund regional programs and projects. Work in close collaboration with other stakeholders in accessing opportunities and best practice.
• Lead on expanding commercial income generation opportunity development on behalf of the Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization team, including consultancies, endowments, and social enterprises.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, such as program managers, to develop fundraising product concepts that align with organizational goals and objectives.

Effective matrix and team development
• Build a team specialists, developing locally-recruited talent, and seeking out sustainable funding opportunities to maintain the structure.
• Ensure a well-managed team while promoting a culture of performance and continuous learning.
• Contribute to the effective coordination with technical units of the Regional Office and with focal points from Country Delegations, Country Cluster Delegations and Geneva focal points.
• Identify risks within respective work area, monitoring the development of such risks, and implementing relevant responses or escalating when necessary.

Other Resource Mobilization Tasks and Responsibilities
• Organizing and setting up conferences, meetings, and other events for clients, members and partners.
• Build relationships with external stakeholders, such as investors, philanthropic organizations, and financial institutions, to explore potential partnership opportunities. Develop and pitch proposals to potential funders in a systemic manner, refining the approach along the way.
• Negotiate terms and conditions of agreements, reporting requirements and ensure a smooth grant management throughout the lifecycle of respective partnerships.
• Go on international missions as necessary.

Duties applicable to all staff
1.    Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals 
2.    Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3.    Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Required:

• University degree in relevant discipline (ex. g. International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Marketing).

Preferred:

• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management).

Required:

• At least 5 years working experience with relevant experience in managing relations with donors/corporate donors and partners.
• Experience working with multilateral institutions or government agencies.
• Experience in product development and sales or marketing.
• Experience in contract negotiation and relationship management at senior level.
• Proposal development experience.

Preferred:

• Relevant work experience with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and knowledge of IFRC systems and processes in pledge management, planning, project proposals development, reporting systems and financial management.
• Experience in organizing partnership calls, events, conferences or meetings.
• Work experience with other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies.

Required:

• Proven project management skills.
• Knowledge and practical experience of sales funnels and related processes.
• Knowledge of and skills in tracking open calls for proposals from key donor institutions.
• Strong knowledge of reporting frameworks and attention to detail.
• Strong budgeting and finance management skills.
• Highly organised, with ability to work as a strong team leader.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent networking and relationship building skills.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Fluently spoken and written English.

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish, Arabic), Turkish or Russian.

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others. 
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development.

Comments: This is a national staff position open to Hungarian nationals and others who are legally eligible to work in Hungary. Candidates must be able to provide proof of their eligibility to work in Hungary.