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 made to flee from war or disaster.
The 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 improve 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 organisation’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 MENA-based donors (spanning the GCC/ Gulf nations, North Africa, and Eastern Mediterranean/ Levant) that strive to support the IRC’s clients around the world. The IPP MENA team operates under an ambitious strategy that prioritizes new business, excellent relationship management, and cross-organizational business-critical initiatives.
The MENA Partnerships develops new business opportunities and leads a portfolio of Middle East-based partners with the capacity to give 6+ figure gifts. The Partnerships Lead 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 Partnerships Lead, IPP 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 Partnerships Lead coordinates with colleagues on IRC’s global programs, both at the headquarters and country 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 run systems to continually grow and improve the IRC’s donor relationships and influence the organisation’s strategy for engagement in new and existing markets.
Responsibilities:
• Be integral to the delivery of the MENA Strategy to build long-lasting, impactful relationships with private sector partners through skillful and creative outreach, cultivation, and stewardship to support the IRC’s clients worldwide;
• Solicit and secure contributions from MENA donors (private foundations, HNWIs, and corporations), and generate new links through personal and peer-to-peer approaches with a focus on 6+ figure gifts;
• Proactively identify and approach new donors through personal and peer-to-peer approaches and active networking opportunities to support a growing funding pipeline;
• Contribute to and implement creative and comprehensive outreach, solicitation, management, and stewardship plans;
• Focus on external engagement, lead on partnership influencing, proposal submissions, and external pitches, and maintain open and regular communication with partners to achieve a collective team target;
• Monitor the philanthropic landscape in MENA to make sure the IRC’s proposition remains compelling and driven, and contribute to a growing knowledge base of resources to respond to partnership opportunities efficiently;
• Liaise with other colleagues to establish nuanced and tailored guidelines and processes for partnering with MENA donors such as engagement principles, due diligence, and contracting, 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: 5-6 years of dynamic non-profit fundraising experience and proven expertise in high-value fundraising, preferably in or focused on MENA.
Demonstrated Skills and Proficiencies:
• Extensive experience working with high-value donors and partners and securing 6+ figure gifts and ambitious targets, as well as participating in income growth projections, reporting, and scenario planning;
• Detailed knowledge of high-value giving planning processes and tools and the particular issues affecting the sector within the context of MENA;
• Experience coordinating with multiple collaborators, and leading complex internal and external relationships;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including speaking with, presenting, and writing for high-value donors and overseeing compelling and sophisticated proposals and pitch materials;
• Ability to translate an organisation’s strategy and objectives into compelling operational delivery and, at times, respond quickly to changes in short-term priorities;
• Experience working with institutional donors in MENA and/or with Faith-based Philanthropy;
• Understanding of the vital support processes needed to deliver effective institutional funder relationships;
• Ability to identify and create processes required to support effective partnerships;
• CRM experience – Salesforce preferred, and;
• Passion for the IRC’s mission and clients.
Language Skills: English is mandatory; Arabic an asset
Working Environment: Standard office work environment; regional travel would be required, with occasional travel to HQ, regional, and international.
This position will be contracted through a third party based in Dubai. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, colour, 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, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and implements 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.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Returning National Candidates: IRC strives to attract, empower and retain qualified national staff in our programs. We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the IRC has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply.
How to apply
https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/45303?c=rescue