Senior Partnerships Officer - Foundations

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to address the challenges faced by communities in disaster and hardship, Mercy Corps operates in over 30 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on implementing bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. With a mission to create lasting impact, Mercy Corps partners with local communities to address critical issues such as economic development, food and water security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, climate change, peacebuilding, and emergency response. The organization is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, ensuring that all team members are valued and empowered to contribute to the mission.

Job Overview:
The Senior Partnerships Officer will play a crucial role in managing and expanding Mercy Corps' portfolio of foundation partners in Europe. This position is centered around proactive relationship management and stewardship, ensuring that partners are motivated to continue and increase their support for Mercy Corps' initiatives. The officer will oversee grants management, including proposal reviews, compliance coordination, and financial tracking. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to identify and secure funding from new trust and foundation partners, focusing on cultivating high-value funding opportunities. The Senior Partnerships Officer will work closely with various teams within Mercy Corps, including the Development team, programmatic teams, and marketing and communications, to align efforts and achieve strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Partnerships Officer will be responsible for the following key duties:

• Relationship Management/Stewardship: Lead account management for foundation partners, ensuring each partnership has a strategic development plan. Enhance relationships to encourage increased giving and alignment with Mercy Corps' priorities. Develop individual strategies for key partnerships and act as the primary contact for partners.
• Grant Management: Coordinate with various teams to conduct agreement reviews, ensure compliance, track budgets, and maintain accurate records. Ensure that all teams understand funding requirements and donor expectations.
• Business Development: Identify and pursue funding opportunities that align with Mercy Corps' strategy. Cultivate relationships with new and lapsed donors, and support cross-team efforts related to funding opportunities.
• Representation: Act as an expert on the philanthropic landscape, advocating for the CFT team and collaborating with programmatic teams to identify funding opportunities. Represent Mercy Corps to external audiences for fundraising and profile elevation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 4 years of demonstrated experience in private fundraising, ideally with foundations, or proven experience in partnership development within the international development or humanitarian sector. They should have a track record of successfully stewarding donors, resulting in significant partnerships and increased funding. The ideal candidate will have experience in cultivating prospects and building long-term strategic partnerships. Strong strategic thinking skills related to donor engagement and solicitation are essential, along with excellent writing and verbal communication skills. Candidates should be IT-literate, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience managing relationship databases, preferably Raiser's Edge.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, with a preference for candidates holding advanced degrees in international relations, nonprofit management, or a related discipline. Educational qualifications should reflect a strong foundation in fundraising principles and practices, as well as an understanding of the international development sector.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in private fundraising or partnership development. Candidates should demonstrate a history of successful donor stewardship and the ability to cultivate new funding opportunities. Experience in managing complex partnerships and working collaboratively across teams is essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with additional languages being a plus. Proficiency in languages relevant to Mercy Corps' operational regions may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in London and may involve occasional national and international travel. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK at the time of appointment. Mercy Corps is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is an equal opportunity employer. The organization emphasizes ongoing learning and encourages team members to dedicate time to personal and professional development activities. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities and reports directly to the Director of Strategic Partnerships (Europe).