Organization Unit: Donor Relations & Business Development

Reports to: Resource Mobilization & Business Development

Grade: SO5 / CG10

Date Published: 17 January 2025

Closing Date for Applications: 10 February 2025 at 9am CET

About CGIAR

CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is conducted closely with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations, and the private sector.

About the position

The Donor Relations & Business Development (DR&BD) unit is responsible for driving strategic initiatives to engage with new and existing funders, secure sustainable funding, and diversify funding sources across the CGIAR. This involves identifying and cultivating both traditional and innovative funding opportunities, as well as managing and enhancing existing funding mechanisms critical in ensuring a reliable and continuous flow of financial resources that support CGIAR’s research, enabling the system to sustain its programs and operations.

The Manager, Innovative Finance and New Frontiers, reporting to the Practice Lead, Finance & Innovation Hub, oversees the development and execution of engagement strategies to secure sustainable and innovative financing for global programs and initiatives across CGIAR. The role is responsible for adapting frameworks and approaches for shaping and maintaining relationships with existing and potential funders, identifying funding opportunities and leveraging financial instruments. Advice on evolving approaches and addressing emerging trends is critical in ensuring that CGIAR effectively advances its research and innovation mission to address global development challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of new approaches, strategies and mechanisms that leverage new or existing innovative financial instruments and philanthropic / private funding, in order to attract and secure financing that sustain the evolving needs of emerging CGIAR programs/initiatives.
• Develop strategies to identify and secure investment and funding opportunities beyond CGIAR’s traditional donors and areas of focus, shifting to emerging sectors such as health, climate, water supply, sanitation, disaster prevention, preparedness, and security.
• Oversee the integration of new financial sources as well as approaches in managing funding resources to align the interests of investors and stakeholders, ensuring the effective implementation of cutting-edge financing strategies to sustain CGIAR fun
• Advise management on effective ways to utilize innovative finance strategies and instruments and broaden funding base to non-traditional sources, ensuring that donor intelligence informs the development of funding strategies and donor relations/outreach initiatives.
• Collaborate with CGIAR centers to align strategies and communication narratives with emerging funding opportunities, donor interests, and the expanding research and innovation landscape to strengthen capacity for securing funding for new/upcoming areas of research.
• Nurture relationships with philanthropic organizations, governments, trusts, foundations, high-net-worth individuals, international financial institutions, regional development banks and other potential sources of funding to secure opportunities for innovative and blended finance and impact investment.
• Network with advisory groups, think tanks, and research institutions specialized in acquiring valuable insights on donor, philanthropic and financing trends to enhance CGIAR’s innovative financing strategies. ding.
• Align engagement strategies with program cycles and workplans to ensure coordinated outreach aimed at securing and managing funding opportunities.
• Develop metrics, tools, and processes to monitor and assess engagement to determine the efficacy of financing initiatives.
• Consolidate learning and data on innovative finance practices and philanthropies across CGIAR to build a knowledge base that supports strategic development and capacity building.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in public policy, social sciences, finance, international relations, or a related discipline.

• Specialized experience in external/donor relations, fundraising, and resource mobilization for a non-profit organization, philanthropic, financial, or international organization.
• Proven track record designing and implementing novel strategies across public and private sector channels.

Key Competences

• Substantive Knowledge: Demonstrated capacity gained through experience with philanthropies innovative finance mechanisms and blended finance initiatives, and stewarding working groups / commissions towards shared outcomes.
• Communication skills: Demonstrated Skill gained through exposure/experience in relationship management.
• Execution skills: Demonstrated Achievement in the consistent delivery of programs/services through adaptation.

Languages

Fluency in English essential to communicate in writing and speaking. Knowledge of a second language desirable.

Benefits

The selected staff member will be offered terms and conditions commensurate with the grade of the position.

Submitting Your Application

If you face challenges in submitting your application, please email recruitment@cgiar.org with the position title in the subject line.