Strategic Partnership Manager (Fundraising Focus)

FLO - Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International

Bonn, Germany

DIVISION/TEAM: Strategic Relations and Partnerships
REPORTS TO: Director of Strategic Relations and Partnerships

OVERVIEW

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their everyday shopping.

Fairtrade International is the international non-profit, multi stakeholder body that is responsible for the strategic direction of Fairtrade, sets Fairtrade standards and supports producers.

The Strategic Relations and Partnerships unit is a facilitating unit ensuring a coherent and consistent approach to fundraising and strategic partnerships in the Fairtrade system. As such the unit:

• Coordinates all fundraising activities of Fairtrade International, ensuring that funding approaches across the Fairtrade system are consistent and in line with Fairtrade’s strategic direction;
• Initiates and guides on developing and deepening strategic partnerships which support Fairtrade in achieving its objectives;
• Provides guidance and tools to facilitate effective management of key relations, and as such provides backstopping and quality control for partnership and fundraising activities throughout the system (e.g. on proposal development, project design, reporting, relationship management).

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

The Strategic Partnership Manager (Fundraising Focus) will focus on fundraising and grant writing. As such, the manager will support the design of externally funded projects and programmes, the development of related grants and fundraising proposals, ensures quality follow up on donor obligations (e.g. planning, M&E framework, reporting, etc.) and fosters alignment in fundraising collaboration across the Fairtrade system.

PRINCIPAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Management

• Ensure the timely fulfilment of all reporting obligations to funding partners, including the delivery of financial and narrative reporting with a particular emphasis on impact reporting;
• Advise and closely collaborate with relevant Fairtrade units and entities (eg. Producer Networks, National Fairtrade Organizations) on the design of externally funded projects/programmes;
• Ensure internal stakeholders fully understand their respective accountabilities, deliverables and timelines throughout the implementation process;
• Develop and update grant management documentation (eg. logical frameworks, work plans, budgets, M&E frameworks, etc.) in collaboration with other staff (eg. M&E, Learning and Planning unit, International Programme’s unit, Finance unit etc.).

Interface, liaise and communicate with donors

• Pursue focused dialogue with potential new partners, including institutional donors, through communication, meetings, etc. in order to create opportunities for resource mobilisation in a timely and professional manner;
• Act as contact point to Fairtrade funding partners ensuring regular, effective communication on delivery, milestones, risks and challenges related to the implementation of existing grants;
• Work in close coordination with relevant staff at Fairtrade International (particularly Producer Support Relations/International Programmes Development Unit level), Producer Networks (PNs), and national Fairtrade Organisations (NFOs).

Contribution to Fundraising opportunities

• Identify and research potential funding opportunities in collaboration with the SRP unit and other Fairtrade staff;
• Regularly monitor government and institutional funding priorities and funding trends for specific countries and/or sectors;
• Advise and assist all units in planning, writing, editing funding proposals to comply with existing guidelines and strategic funding priorities. Help improve programme team's skills, capacities and systems in project cycle management and project design;
• Contribute to organizational learning: Actively lead on proposing methodological improvements to standard operating procedure around grant applications, and implementation processes in Fairtrade International to increase effectiveness of delivery (e.g. develop tools/instruments for proposal writing);
• Contribute to the development of a fundraising strategy and workplan, pro-actively feed into unit planning and budgets.

Other responsibilities

• Produce up-to-date reports for staff, management and the Board;
• Lead in organizing events with funding partners or attend seminars, conferences as required;
• Travel as required;
• Perform other duties and tasks, consistent with the skills and expertise as required.

SKILLS REQUIRED (E = essential, D = desirable)

Knowledge/Job Specific Competencies (E= Essential; D=Desirable):

• At least 3 - 5 years professional experience (E);
• Extended experience with grant management from key international donors particularly with regards to writing dynamic, impact-oriented projects/programmes reports (E);
• Working experiences with particularly USAID, US Foundations, EU, UN or similar donor agencies (E). Corporate Funding expertise would be desirable (D);
• Experiences in writing dynamic project/programme proposals for international donors including M&E plans (E);
• In depth knowledge of the international development environment with regards to sustainable supply chain development including current priorities and trends (D);
• Experience with the implementation of multi-country complex development projects funded by public/private donors and/or development agency partnerships (D).

Education required:

• University degree in development, business, international relations or comparable qualifications.

Professional Skills

• Collaborate well with team members and relevant stakeholders in the system (E);
• Experience in project cycle management, logical framework, Theory of Change, impact chain and related M&E (E);
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills (E);
• Fluent English with strong writing skills to native level (E) and at least one other international language (French or Spanish) (E);
• Good understanding of and commitment to the work of Fairtrade (D).

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrable ability to drive forward work on own initiative (E);
• Demonstrable ability to motivate and enthuse others (E);
• Preference for working in multicultural environments (D).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• This is a full time maternity cover job and is based in Bonn, Germany;
• Limited contract with a maximum of 12 months;
• Starting date: as soon as possible thereafter;
• The working language is English;
• Salary as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Gross- und Außenhandel NRW) Group VIa, plus an attractive benefits package;
• 30 days annual leave and flexible working hours;
• International work environment.

APPLICATIONS

Applications, in the form of a letter of motivation and Curriculum Vitae, should be submitted via e-mail toapplications@fairtrade.net, citing “Strategic Partnership Manager (Fundraising Focus) - maternity cover” in the subject field.

The deadline for completed applications is 7th December 2015.