Partnership Development Manager
This is an amazing opportunity to participate in a global network of organisations committed to shaping agriculture to the world’s needs and making food production one of the most important sectors contributing to The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Join a unique and growing international team of professionals committed to changing the trajectory of humanity´s impact on our planet, by working in collective efforts in farms and supply chains, with a diversity of partners, corporations, donors and civil society organisations. If you believe in the power of collaboration that thinks globally and acts locally, this is the right opportunity for you.
SUMMARY
Are you a highly motivated individual who relishes challenge and is invested in a future of long term agricultural sustainability that provides the food and nutrition our human population needs while conserving biodiversity and ecosystems? Do you seek an exceptional opportunity to further develop your skills in partnership and funding development in a highly regarded global NGO, led by an inspirational Executive Director?
Working closely with SAN’s Costa Rica-based Executive Director, José Joaquin Campos Arce, in his capacity as ‘chief fundraiser’ of the organisation, in all funding and related partnership activities, the Partnership Development Manager will play a key role as the initiator for SAN’s funding plan to support the new organisational strategy for 2019 – 2024.
In the initial stages of the 2019 -2024 SAN strategy, José is committed to spending 40-50% of his time focused on funding and partnership development, working alongside the successful candidate, to provide support and mentoring.
THE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE NETWORK
The Sustainable Agriculture Network is an international network of NGOs focused on building a world where agriculture delivers biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods and contributes solutions to the climate crisis. The organisation develops programmes, systems and tools for their members to more effectively work with farmers, companies and donors to accelerate and deepen the positive impact they make as partners on a journey of positive change. The SAN Secretariat is based in San Jose, Costa Rica. (The Partnership Development Manager will be based from a home office in Europe).
Based on almost 20 years’ experience working globally with agricultural supply chains, SAN has learned that the most effective way to advance sustainability is to focus on impacts, tailoring the work to the local needs and supporting farmers and supply chains to continuously improve. SAN designs programmes and customised solutions that enable transparency along supply chains, support farmers on the ground, deliver on sustainability goals and manage sustainability data and the communication of impacts.
SAN’s MISSION
SAN is a global network committed to transforming agriculture to secure a sustainable future for food, nature and rural communities.
We believe in the power of farmers, business, government, and non-profit organisations working together to effect the profound change our world needs. We believe farming can be climate smart, deforestation free and pollinator friendly. We believe in protecting water, air, forests and biodiversity. We believe in the inalienable rights of all human beings to be treated fairly. We believe we can transform agriculture for the greater good of all.
SAN’s VISION
Our vision of the world is one where sustainable agriculture is the foundation of thriving and resilient rural landscapes and livelihoods. To make it happen, we work directly with farmers, companies, funders and other organisations, to accelerate and deepen the positive impact we can make as partners on a journey of change.
SAN has developed its strategic plan for 2019 to 2024 and now requires an experienced Partnership Development Manager to support the implementation of this plan, in collaboration with the Secretariat team and SAN´s Members.
KEY TASKS
- Support SAN’s Executive Director in fundraising and partnership projects and stay abreast of new thinking and innovation in NGO business models.
- Assist in developing the operational fundraising and partnership strategy, including identifying which donors (primarily private foundations and government agencies), company supply chain partners (for potential services, advisory or contract income) and impact investors (for potential programme-related investment income) to approach.
- Contribute towards building SAN’s Resource Mobilisation Task Force – engage professionals from the Secretariat and its local NGO Members – helping to increase their programme development capacity and performance, create an ethos of delivery and accountability and ensure quality intelligence gathering, donor identification, development of responsive and quality proposals, regular donor reporting, and capturing of data for reports and for SAN’s own impact monitoring.
- Ensure proposal pipeline and donor database management is fit for purpose.
- Provide actionable intelligence through prospect research, identification of best programme matches to donor programmes and priorities, coordinate the various ‘moves’ and meetings to build external relationships with funders, and to identify occasional competitive ‘bids’ from government agencies that SAN might respond to well (although most funding sought will be through direct relationships where a proposal could be directly invited).
- Work with the Finance Manager who will ensure internal processes for efficient and effective full cost recovery proposal development as well as the budgeting and forecasting of funding projections.
- Undertake prospect research on government funding agencies (including bilateral and multilateral agencies in Europe, North America and elsewhere), corporate foundations, private foundations in the US and elsewhere, and other newer funding instruments (this is to be explored but could include impact investors, programme-related investments, recoverable grants from US foundations, etc.) in the agriculture/development space.
- Make recommendations to the Executive Director and Technical Director on potential matches for new projects and programmes for SAN.
- Maintain bespoke system to file and track funding proposals and reports, and take ownership of other donor and contact management systems.
- Write the first rough drafts of impactful proposals, then engage the Team and Network to add details, budgets, indicators and technical accuracy as required.
- Maintain a good balance between supporting the Team to proactively cultivate and meet new donors/funders and partners, while being responsive to potential bids and invitations by writing and sending concept notes and proposals.
- Occasionally represent SAN to donors, and work closely with the Executive Director on development of relationships and funding opportunities with partners globally. The candidate will likely accompany the Executive Director on various meetings in Europe and North America, and may be asked to occasionally visit with donors alone, depending on experience levels and abilities to do ‘frontline fundraising’ of this type.
- Manage donor ‘moves management’ system - who should visit them, when, about what and how.
- Collaborate with and support SAN’s Members’ programmes in order to further develop the organisation.
EXPERIENCE
This role requires an astute, experienced development professional who thrives in a fast-paced, international setting where sustainability is at the forefront of the mission.
- Strong track record of institutional fundraising (government, corporate and foundation) in Europe and/or US in subject areas related to sustainable agriculture, climate change, international development, biodiversity, poverty alleviation or related subjects.
- Working knowledge of various government funding agencies, the private sector, private foundations, NGOs and other organisations operating in the sustainability space.
- Experience in a similar role, ideally with a track record of providing successful high level funding and partnership development support to senior management in an NGO setting.
- Excellent, informed proposal and report writing.
- Ideally have some technical knowledge or exposure to field programmes in her/his education, volunteer experience, or previous positions that allows her/him to translate technical sustainability issues into well-written and responsive proposals in the sustainable development space.
- Working effectively with a remote team in different time zones.
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience in a similar role.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent English - both written and verbal communications skills.
- Preference for additional fluency in other languages, particularly Spanish.
- Ideally but not necessarily, postgraduate degree or equivalent studies in a related field or subject such as sustainability, international development/relations/policy, geography, fundraising management, non-profit management, environmental or social policy or similar.
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office programmes particularly Powerpoint and Excel.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Highly proactive with a passion for sustainability.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the capacity to gather, evaluate and present a variety of data concisely.
- Gravitas and credibility with the ability to inspire confidence.
- Team player who can work effectively with colleagues and external partners and is equally happy to work alone.
- Strategic and creative thinker who is prepared to challenge the ‘accepted’.
- Self-motivated, adaptable and able to work under pressure.
- Excellent internal and external relationship management skills.
- Strong work planning and prioritising.
- Critical and strategic thinker with a strong results focus.
- Thrives in a multicultural environment.
REPORTS TO: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
DIRECT REPORTS
Initially there will be no direct reports. As the role progresses it may be necessary to hire a direct report.
The Executive Director’s PA will support this role part-time.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Executive Director
- Technical Director
- Finance and Administration Manager
- Communications and Network Engagement Manager
LOCATION
Work mainly from home/office ideally in the UK – other locations in Western Europe or US could be considered.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel around 40% of the time. Most travel will be within Europe with occasional travel to Costa Rica and North America.
REMUNERATION
- c £50,000 p.a.
- 25 days holiday
- 3 Year contract subject to a probation period of three months.
To apply for this role please send your CV as a word document of not more than 3 A4 pages and a cover letter, of not more than 2 A4 pages, to summarise how your experience and skills are a match to this role to: judy@thecherrypickers.co
The closing date for applications is: Sunday, 25th August.
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