Philanthropy Advisor

Role & Responsibilities

Responsible for fundraising with Major Donors in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. In collaboration with the rest of Engagement team, support Medair’s mission by consolidating and cultivating current portfolio of Major Donors and acquiring new ones, upgrading of key middle donors, developing an extensive network, creating and leveraging partnerships and increasing visibility.

Project Overview

You will be responsible for building relationships with high value donors and prospects, using a structured and donor-centric approach to increase their support and engage them accordingly to Medair’s processes and values.

Workplace & Conditions

Global Support Office (GSO) position based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland, can apply.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details  

As soon as possible. Full-time open-ended contract.  

Key Activity Areas

Relationship fundraising with individual major donors

• Develop a consolidation and acquisition plan to generate new donors.
• Build and sustain relationships with donors and prospects.
• Deliver and promote fundraising products or project proposals.
• Acquire new donors and develop specific journeys by creating targeted and qualitative touch points and develop a repeatable model to approach more individuals and drive growth, using Salesforce as a CRM tool.
• In collaboration with the Philanthropy team, create communication material such as project summaries, reports, letters and presentations.
• Leverage networks: actively research new networking opportunities and attend external events, forums, conferences to acquire leads.
• Plan, organize and promote Medair philanthropy events in Romandie to attract new people and/or consolidate existing major relationships.

Copywriting (French)

• Develop communication material such as writing appropriate project proposals (funding requests), reports, summaries, letters, brochures and presentations in French or English for philanthropy partners in your or other team members’ portfolio

Other

• Increase brand awareness and seek proactively opportunities to position Medair within the targeted audiences  
• Help the development of annual budget and revenue forecasting in Romandie
• Monitor private funding trends and issues
• Contribute to fundraising and organisational strategy development
• Plan, track and analyse personal targets and results, and report to manager

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• International Relations, Business management and/or Sales, Communication, Account Management
• Excellent French, spoken and written
• Good English working knowledge (spoken and written)

Experience / Competencies

• Minimum of 3-5 years demonstrable professional success in the area of fundraising, sales or communication.
• Overseas experience in a humanitarian/development setting (desirable)
• Advanced user of MS Office
• Experience in CRM / sales management software is a plus
• Excellent written communication skills incl. translation from English into French
• Ability to present complex information in a simple way without losing the essential content and main point.
• Analytical skills and ability to identify potential of projects and audiences
• Strategic thinking
• Networking skills
• Goal, output and performance oriented
• Perseverance and long-term perspective
• Persistence and people-oriented
• Self-driven and intrinsic motivation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Collaborative team player

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