The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The External Relations (ER) department was created in early 2020 and is comprised of three complementary functional areas: Private Fundraising, Communications and Advocacy – functions that work together to improve IRC’s ability to ‘punch above its weight’ in private income, advocacy, and brand awareness.

The International Philanthropy and Partnerships (IPP) team leads on the Organisation’s engagement with corporations, foundations, international philanthropists globally, as well as IRC’s efforts in new funding streams (Faith-based; Donor-Advised Funds; Innovative Financing et. al).

Job Overview:

The IPP team maintains a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships in the U.S. and other markets, primarily in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, and matches funder interests with IRC’s extensive programs globally.

The IPP Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team leads on the IRC’s engagement with high-value, strategic, bi-and-multilateral partnerships with MENA-based donors (spanning the GCC/ Gulf nations, North Africa, and Eastern Mediterranean/ Levant). The IPP MENA team operates under an ambitious strategy that prioritises new business, excellent relationship management, and cross-organisational business-critical initiatives.

The Partnerships Advisor develops new business opportunities and leads a portfolio of Middle East-based partners with the capacity to give 6+ figure gifts annually. The Advisor develops tailored strategies for collaboration with donors, with a focus on maintaining and growing existing partnerships and revenue and introduce the IRC to new prospects through innovative and outcome-based partnerships.

The Partnerships Advisor reports to the Director, International Philanthropy and Partnerships, Middle East and works closely with other IRC senior leadership, as well as programme and communications colleagues to develop engagement plan for partners at a strategic level. The Advisor coordinates with colleagues on IRC’s global programmes, both at the headquarters and country office levels, maintains engagement with and knowledge of programmes and acts as a collaborative and respectful colleague and liaison between funders and programmes. The incumbent will be expected to understand the strategies, needs, and requirements of donors and prospects, think strategically, make recommendations, offer creative solutions, and run systems to continually grow and improve the IRC’s donor relationships and influence the organisation’s strategy for engagement in new and existing markets.

Responsibilities:

1. Be integral to the delivery of the IRC’s Partnerships Strategy in MENA and build long-lasting, impactful relationships with private sector partners through skillful and creative outreach, cultivation, and stewardship to support the IRC’s clients worldwide;

2. Solicit and secure contributions from MENA donors (institutions, private foundations, HNWIs, Islamic finance institutions, and corporations);

3. Proactively identify, generate, and approach new donors through personal and peer-to-peer contacts and active networking opportunities to support a growing funding pipeline;

4. Focus on external engagement, contribute to and develop creative and comprehensive solicitation, management, and stewardship plans;

5. Lead on partnership management including influencing, proposal submissions, and external pitches, and maintain open and regular communication with partners to achieve a collective team target;

6. Monitor the philanthropic landscape in MENA to make sure the IRC’s proposition are compelling and driven, and contribute to a growing knowledge base of resources to respond to partnership opportunities efficiently;

7. Liaise with other colleagues to establish bespoke donor materials, guidelines, and processes for partnering with MENA donors such as engagement principles, due diligence, and contracting, and;

8. Maintain clear CRM records for the portfolio to contribute to comprehensive tracking/ reporting on IPP’s client universe and impact.

Job Requirements:

**Education:**Bachelor’s Degree or higher

**Work Experience:**3-6 years of dynamic non-profit fundraising experience and proven expertise in high-value fundraising, preferably in or focused on MENA.

Language Skills: English is mandatory; Arabic an asset.

Demonstrated Skills and Proficiencies:

• Extensive experience working with high-value donors and partners and securing 6+ figure gifts and ambitious targets, as well as participating in income growth projections, reporting, and scenario planning;

• Detailed knowledge of high-value giving planning processes and tools and the particular issues affecting the sector within the context of MENA;

• Experience coordinating with multiple collaborators, and leading complex internal and external relationships;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including speaking with, presenting, and writing for high-value donors and overseeing compelling and sophisticated proposals and pitch materials;

• Ability to translate an organisation’s strategy and objectives into compelling operational delivery and, at times, respond quickly to changes in short-term priorities;

• Experience working with institutional donors in MENA and/or with Faith-based Philanthropy;

• Understanding of the vital support processes needed to deliver effective institutional funder relationships;

• Ability to identify and create processes required to support effective partnerships;

• CRM experience – Salesforce preferred, and;

• Passion for the IRC’s mission and clients.

Working Environment: Standard office work environment; regional travel would be required, with occasional travel to HQ, regional, and international.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to UK-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.