Officer, International Philanthropy and Partnerships, Middle East

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

Its External Relations (ER) department was created in early 2020 and is comprised of three complementary functional areas: Private Fundraising, Communications and Advocacy – functions that work together to enhance IRC’s ability to ‘punch above its weight’ in private income, advocacy, and brand awareness.

The International Philanthropy and Partnerships (IPP) team leads on the Organization’s engagement with corporations, foundations, international philanthropists globally, as well as IRC’s efforts in new funding streams (Faith-based; Donor-Advised Funds; Innovative Financing et al).

Job Overview:

The IPP team maintains a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships in the U.S. and other markets, primarily in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, and matches funder interests with IRC’s extensive programs globally.

The IPP Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team leads on the IRC’s engagement with high-value, strategic, and mutually beneficial partnerships with Middle East-based donors (spanning the GCC/ Gulf nations, North Africa, and Eastern Mediterranean/ Levant) that aim to support the IRC’s beneficiaries around the world. The IPP MENA team operates under an ambitions strategy that prioritizes excellent relationship management, new business, and cross-organizational strategic initiatives.

The IPP Officer, MENA develops new business opportunities and manages a portfolio of Middle East-based partners with the capacity to give 6+ figure gifts. The Officer develops tailored strategies for collaboration with donors, with a focus on maintaining and growing existing partnerships and revenue and introduce the IRC to new prospects through innovative and outcome-based partnerships.

The Officer reports to the Director, International Philanthropy and Partnerships, Middle East and works closely with other IRC senior leadership, as well as program and communications colleagues to develop engagement plan for partners at a strategic level. The Officer coordinates with colleagues on IRC’s global programs, both at the headquarters, country, and field office levels, maintains engagement with and knowledge of programs and acts as a collaborative and respectful colleague and liaison between funders and programs. The incumbent will be expected to understand the strategies, needs, and requirements of donors and prospects, think strategically, make recommendations, offer creative solutions, and manage systems to continually grow and improve the IRC’s donor relationships and influence the organization’s strategy for engagement in new and existing markets. 40,000 GBP to 50,000 GBP per annum.

Responsibilities: ------------------

· Support the delivery of an ambitious strategy to build lasting, high-level, and impact-driven partnerships with Middle East-based donors;

· Nurture and expand an individual portfolio of partners (private foundations, trusts, high-net-worth individuals, and corporations) with the capacity to give 6 and 7 figure gifts;

· Proactively identify and approach new donors through personal and peer-to-peer approaches and active networking opportunities to support an ambitious strategy and funding pipeline;

· Contribute to and implement creative and comprehensive outreach, solicitation, management, and stewardship plans;

· Focus on external engagement, lead on partnership negotiations, proposal submissions, and external pitches, and maintain open and regular communication with private sector partners to achieve a collective team target;

· Monitor and analyze philanthropic trends and landscape in the Middle East region and make sure the IRC’s proposition remains compelling and competitive;

- Collaborate within the organization to develop positive, solution-focused relationships, seek new opportunities, and deepen and/or recognize our partnerships;

· Contribute to a growing knowledge base of resources, processes, and workflow for the organization to respond to partnership opportunities timely and effectively;

· Synthesize the IRC’s sophisticated programs into clear, compelling presentations, proposals, and reports for high-value private sector audiences to position IRC as the go-to partner in the humanitarian sector, and;

- Maintain clear CRM records for the portfolio to contribute to comprehensive tracking/ reporting on IPP’s client universe and impact.

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Work Experience: progressive non-profit fundraising experience and demonstrated expertise in high-value fundraising, preferably in or focused on the Middle East.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- Extensive experience working with high-value partners and stakeholders and meeting ambitious revenue goals and performance indicators, as well as participating in income growth projections, reporting, and scenario planning; - Thorough knowledge of giving planning processes and tools and the particular issues affecting the sector within the context of the Middle East region;

· Excellent oral and written communication skills including speaking with and writing for high-value donors and creating compelling and sophisticated proposals and pitch materials;

· Demonstrated ability to maintain positive, collaborative, productive relationships with staff at all levels;

· Good judgment in maintaining confidentiality of donor information;

· Ability to translate an organization’s strategy and objectives into compelling operational delivery and, at times, respond quickly to changes in short-term priorities;

· Understanding of the vital support processes needed to deliver effective institutional funder relationships;

· Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to devise creative solutions to complex problems and issues;

· CRM experience – Salesforce preferred;

· Ability to analyze and interpret financial data with the facility to understand budget models;

· Ability to identify and create processes required to support effective partnerships;

· Passion for the IRC’s mission and dedication to private sector partnerships, and;

· Dedication to fundraising for international development, human rights, social justice and U.S. refugee and immigrant communities.

Language Skills: English-mandatory; Arabic an asset.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowance.

Working Environment: Standard office work environment; regional travel would be required, with occasional travel to HQ and/ or international.

Qualifications