Fundraising Manager BCI - Better Cotton Initiative

Geneva, Switzerland

Summary

The Better Cotton Initiative is looking for a Fundraising Manager to lead on and further develop its philanthropic income generation. As a member of the management team you will provide expertise and leadership that enables BCI to deliver its ‘whole team’ approach to fundraising.

The successful applicant will have a proven strong track record of fundraising for multi-year grants of more than Euro 500,000 per year and a personal interest in international economic development, environment and/or corporate social responsibility.

Background

Cotton is one of the most important and widely grown crops in the world, and with more than 90% of cotton farmers living in developing countries, cotton production is fundamental to the livelihoods of millions of poor farmers and workers. However, current cotton growing methods need to change as they are placing unsustainable levels of stress on the environment and the people who produce it. Change means using fewer pesticides, managing water more efficiently, improving soil health and bio-diversity, improving fibre quality, and improving the welfare of farm workers.

The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is a multi-stakeholder initiative - from producer to retailer – who have decided to act together to reduce damaging environmental and social consequences of cotton production.

BCI aims to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future.

BCI’s mandate is to increase demand for Better Cotton, to reduce the negative impacts of cotton production worldwide, and to advance economic and life opportunities for cotton farmers and workers. BCI will catalyse the mass market production of cotton produced more sustainably, by creating demand on a global scale for a new mainstream commodity, Better Cotton, and by generating investment in training and skills for farmers to help them produce Better Cotton.

Better Cotton is cotton grown in a way that aims to reduce stress on the local environment and improve the livelihoods and welfare of farming communities. As such, Better Cotton represents a new globally recognised standard for more sustainable cotton production.

Key to BCI’s approach is to show farmers that it makes business sense to grow Better Cotton, and to equip farmers with the knowhow and tools to steadily improve their farming practices, which means meeting globally recognised standards for reducing pesticide usage, managing water better, improving soil health and the welfare of farm workers.

Smallholder cotton farmers need support to make these changes and BCI consequently promotes training, better access to finance and help with the organisation of farmers in to effective producer organisations.

Philanthropic Income Generation at BCI

From 2013, BCI will move to a business model where a significant proportion of our work is funded through earned income from members. This shift will take several years to come into full effect, during which philanthropic income will continue to be important.

In 2012 65% of our income will be from philanthropic sources, and we need to raise approximately Euro2 million per year to ensure we deliver a successful programme. We currently receive the majority of our support from three main partners: SECO; SIDA; and the Better Cotton Fast Track Programme (a consortium of Dutch funders – IDH, ICCO and the Rabobank Foundation).

We are mainly a second tier organisation, providing a strategic framework and a range of support to first tier organisations that work either directly with cotton farmers, or with local NGOs. Our experience so far tells us that in addition to approaching donors willing to support second tier organisations, we also need to submit proposals together with our first tier partners where funding goes to both field activities and supports our global programme and operating costs.

BCI has made a commitment to effective fundraising, which means the whole management team share responsibility for the success of the fundraising programme, and individual proposals will be led by the most appropriate person.

Job Description

The Fundraising Manager will be responsible for developing the BCI fundraising strategy, leading on proposal creation and prospect identification and coordinate fundraising work internally, while delivery will be a whole team effort. The position forms part of the management team and reports to the Executive Director. In addition to our management team, you will find a skilled and committed group of BCI members from the corporate sector ready to support you with introductions and their powerful presence at donor meetings. Our members have already committed over Euro4 million in match-funding to philanthropic grants, providing the BCI with access to significant grant funding for us and our first tier partners. They have also attended donor meetings and opened doors to key funders. You will be supported by a part time fundraising officer.

Responsibilities

Strategy Development

1. Develop BCI’s fundraising strategy for 2013 – 2015 to support the BCI overall strategy and to meet BCI fundraising targets.
2. Contribute to the development and review of BCI’s strategy and future direction.
3. Manage the fundraising budget to ensure cost effective delivery of the fundraising programme.
   

   Relationship Management

4. Lead on the development and maintenance of BCI’s fundraising database, to ensure that all contacts are current and that appropriate follow-up is done in a timely manner.
5. Be responsible for keeping the BCI Development Committee engaged and appropriately informed. The committee is made up of BCI donors who provide in excess of Euro100,000 funding per year.
6. Coordinate activities and information flows between the BCI Global Secretariat and BCI-UK fundraising programmes (BCI-UK is an independent legal entity, with charitable status in the UK and USA, that works to support the BCI).
   

   Donor Cultivation and Prospect Management

7. Direct and oversee prospect research, to ensure that research is aligned to BCI strategic aims.
8. Advise the management team on the selection of prospects and provide guidance on a ‘donor development plan’ to the lead person for each prospect (you will also lead on a number of prospects).
9. Prospect cultivation and engagement, in partnership with the lead person, to engage prospects, secure meetings and maintain active engagement.
   

   Donor Reporting

10. Oversee donor reporting and provide guidance to the BCI Fundraising Officer on style and content, assume responsibility for ensuring high quality and appropriate content.
11. Respond to prospect and existing donor enquiries for information and support in a timely manner.
    

    Funding Proposals

12. Give guidance to the management team to ensure that project plans include the background information and themes that are strategically important to prospects/donors while also within BCI’s strategic aims.
13. Direct and oversee research into thematic areas key to proposal development.
14. Build funding proposals based on the project plans developed by the relevant member/s of the BCI management team for proposals with a value of over Euro250,000 and oversee development of proposals to lesser values, to ensure that BCI funding proposals are of the highest quality.
    

    External Communications

15. Represent the BCI at key donor conferences and meetings to build continuous support for BCI approach and strategy.
16. Ensure that existing donors and key prospects receive all relevant information produced by the BCI on an annual basis.
17. Develop generic donor communication materials in collaboration with the BCI Communications Manager.

Beyond these specific responsibilities the Fundraising Manager is expected to work closely with their line-manager to support the delivery of the BCI’s mission.

Working Arrangements

The successful candidate will report to the Executive Director for their work programme, activities and outputs.The position is full time and based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Fundraising Manager will receive a fixed-term contract until the end of 2012, with a 1 month initial trial period. Pending the outcome of the 2012 Strategic Review, renewal may be possible. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Profile

To be successful, candidates for the Fundraising Manager role will have the following attributes:

Skills & Knowledge Essential

• A basic understanding of the product certification sector and relevant industry self-regulation;
• Effective fundraising management and planning skills evidenced by a full knowledge of philanthropic income sources and their application, the legislative environment for the charitable sector, fundraising planning and monitoring tools;
• Effective fundraising research, donor cultivation and bid writing skills evidenced by successful proposals;
• Knowledge of the current fundraising environment;
• IT literacy, to include: Word; PowerPoint; Excel; Outlook;
• Ability to analyse complex budgets and manipulate budget data;
• Excellent English writing, public speaking and presentation skills;
• Well-developed personal strategies for time and complex process management; data management and internal communications Desirable;
• Knowledge of one or more of the following: ILO Decent Work; FAO Integrated Pest Management; civil society and producer organisations; corporate social responsibility;
• Professional fundraising qualification at management and strategy level, or relevant qualifications in business management

Experience Essential

• At least 5 years fundraising in a senior role, with personal annual income targets of not less than Euro1 million;
• Experience of planning and executing fundraising activities over 3 years, supported by Annual Operating Plans;
• Lead role in a successful funding application to the EC or European government worth more than Euro1.5 million;
• Experience of leading or coordinating funding applications involving three or more partners in totalFace to face meetings and presentations to at least two government or multilateral funding agencies;
• Responsibility for database input, updates, and reports;
• Contracting and managing fundraising freelancers to deliver research and/or bid-writing;
• Major donor fundraising, with particular reference to cultivation, bid presentation and post donation management Desirable;
• Management of mixed income portfolio including government grants; trusts; major donors; and public appeals;
• Project planning and delivery in an economic development / inclusive business environment;
• Experience with successful funding applications for projects in China, India and Pakistan.

Applications

Interested applicants with the required attributes are asked to send, in English, a detailed CV and a brief covering letter (2 pages maximum) to recruitment@bettercotton.org.

Application deadline: Monday 26 March 9am CET.
First round phone interviews: 2-3 April 2012.
Second round interviews: in Geneva (to be confirmed during first round interview).
Start Date: 30 April 2012 or as soon as possible after this date.

Previous applicants need not apply.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates short-listed for a telephone interview will be contacted.

In line with Swiss labour law, preference will be given to Swiss or EU nationals, or candidates already in possession of a Swiss work/residency permit.

The BCI is an equal opportunities employer, and is committed to good practice and transparency in the management of natural, human and financial resources.