Philanthropy Advisor (partnership management)

Position description

We are looking for passionate candidates ready to contribute to our humanitarian mission.

Below, you will find the job details and the qualifications we are looking for.

Inclusivity and Diversity at MSF

Do your qualifications and experience not exactly match all requirements of the job?

At MSF OCG, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas and experiences work together to advance MSF’s social mission and create better outcomes for our patients and the communities we work with.

We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all listed job requirements. Research shows that this is especially true for women. If you believe your profile is a good match for this position, we invite you to apply even if you don’t fulfil every listed qualification.

We encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, background, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will undergo reference checks.

Context & mission

Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).

MSF Switzerland was created in 1981 and it is headquartered in Geneva. The Philanthropy Unit is one of the eight units at the Communications and Fundraising Department. To ensure a good geographical coverage of the Swiss fundraising market, the Unit is divided into two offices: Geneva and Zurich. The Unit’s mission is to strengthen MSF’s relationship with its private major supporters, including wealthy individuals, foundations, companies, and other philanthropic organisations. It also manages grants and donations from Swiss cantons and communes.

The mission is to manage the partnership with one or several loyal corporate foundation partners and thereby contribute to securing and growing incomefor MSF.

The Philanthropy Advisor is a key member of the Philanthropy Unit, driving the retention of key partners and the expansion of the movement-wide partnership and growth of the income. S/he is responsible for managing all aspects of one or several key partnerships. With the Team Coordinator and other team members, s/he’s in charge of ensuring the implementation of annual action plans, offering donors an interesting variety of tailored interaction opportunities and for improving stakeholder relationships through effective networking.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Partnership management of (a) key corporate foundation partner(s):

• Actively contribute to the development of the overall strategy and the annual action plan for this partnership
• Manage engagement with the partner’s stakeholders (business, employees, etc.)
• Ensure alignment on external communication
• Facilitate engagement between the partner’s stakeholders and MSF sections
• Ensure that MSF meets all contractual obligations (reporting, etc.)
• Accountable for internal information management and alignment in messages
• Back-up for the Head of Unit in managing grants and donations

Manage a pool of donors in the German speaking part of Switzerland and provide support to colleagues in the management and development of established partnerships, including:

Strategy and action plan of the Org team

• Actively contribute to the development of the annual action plan for foundations and corporates in Switzerland
• In coordination with the foundation team in Zurich and Geneva, implement the strategy for foundations and corporate fundraising in German speaking Switzerland.
• Regularly analyse her/his donor pool to ensure that the donors receive the best possible relationship management according to their potential for giving
• Implement the strategy of acquisition and retention in coordination with the Team Coordinator and considering the advice of the Prospect Researcher.
• Develop and implement an individually donor-tailored action plan for the renewal or upgrading of contributions from current partners and for the acquisition of new ones.

Cultivation and stewardship

• Deliver the best possible experience to MSF key partners in order to increase their engagement.
• Ensure that the nature / identity of donors is in line with MSF’s Gifts Acceptance Policy and ensure the exact application of MSF’s Corporate Fundraising Statement
• Prepare and facilitate one to one meetings, calls, presentations and other meaningful interactions with foundations board members, corporate stakeholders or other relevant staff to reinforce our relationship with partners
• Interact with key spokespersons within MSF (President, General Director, Director of Operations, other management team members), as well as field staff, with the aim of bringing donors closer to the organisation in an attempt to show them our life saving mission and work in the projects.
• Define, propose and organise visits to MSF headquarters in Geneva and other sites for our main partners, according to MSF approved criteria and policies.
• Ensure that all interim/final reports are submitted on time to partner foundations and corporates.
• Liaise with Writing Officers for the preparation, including proof reading and editing, of project reports to foundations and corporates

Solicitation

• Develop, present and defend MSF’s case for support to foundations and corporates in German speaking Switzerland
• Ensure that all project applications are submitted on time to foundations and corporates
• Identify priority projects from within MSF’s medico-humanitarian projects and craft them into donor-centric offers
• Liaise with Writing Officers for the preparation, including proof reading and editing, of project proposals and grant applications to foundations and corporates

Acquisition

• Develop and execute a tailored acquisition plan for a number of high-potential foundations and corporates by also actively engaging MSF’s network
• Closely collaborate with the Prospect Researcher in identifying the strategically most important prospects and in securing valuable background information to customize the approach

Others

• Accurate maintenance of the donor’s CRM “DREAM”, ensuring coherence with the Swiss Data Protection Act
• Proactively contribute to information and knowledge sharing within the Philanthropy Unit
• Contribute to the MSF capacity building initiatives at international level
• Active relationship management with key stakeholders within (operations, communications, finance, association, management, other MSF sections etc.) and outside the organization
• Lead on or contribute to other activities upon request of his/her manager

Your profile

Education

• University degree in Business Management, Marketing, Communications, Political Science, International Relations or other relevant areas

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in similar functions
• Experience in working with MSF is a requirement
• Experience in brokering a large corporate foundation partnership is a strong asset

Languages

• German & English
• French and Italian an asset

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Proven writing skills (drafting and editing)
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Proven acquisition and networking skills
• Experience in using CRM is a plus
• Strong client orientation
• Strong prioritization and time management skills

Personal Abilities/Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Negotiation and persuasive skills
• Dynamic, proactive and autonomous
• Rigorous and good organizational skills
• Empathetic team player
• Respectful curiousity
• Feels comfortable in a fast-paced environment

Terms of employment

• Full-time position 100% (40h/week)
• Open-ended contract
• Working place: Geneva, Switzerland
• Ideal start date: June 2nd, 2025
• Gross annual salary (for 100%): from CHF 87’372.- (salary commensurate with equivalent experience and internal salary grid)
• Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorate temporis, plus any Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.
• Pension plan: pension contribution covered 3/4 by MSF, 1/4 by staff member.
• Relocation package if moving from a different country to Switzerland.

Application instructions

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