Fundraising Specialist

Starting date : as soon as possible
Duration : open-ended contract
Work percentage: 100%
Location : Zurich
Deadline for applications : 27th May 2024

Tdh :

Terre des hommes (Tdh) is Switzerland's largest child relief organisation. Since 1960, Tdh has been helping to build a better future for disadvantaged children and their communities through innovative and sustainable solutions. Present in 26 countries with an operational budget of over 100 million Swiss francs, Tdh works with local and international partners to develop and implement projects in the field which improve the daily lives of over four million children and their families in the fields of health, Access to Justice and Migration but also protection and emergency. This commitment is financed by individual and institutional support, with administrative costs kept to a minimum. 

Mission of the role:

Under the supervision of Head, Philanthropy Sector, the Fundraising Specialist generates sustainable income from private and corporate foundations in Switzerland and Lichtenstein so as to contribute to the funding of Terre des hommes mission and activities toward children. S/he is responsible for researching, exploring and securing new business opportunities and for consolidating and maximizing relationships with current donors.

Main responsibilities:

Account management

• Managing relationships with a portfolio of existing private and corporate foundations to secure the agreed fundraising targets.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of donors’ data in the CRM.
• Ensuring timely qualitative and donor-oriented relationships including timely submission of proposals, reports, and other relevant documents.

New Business

• Identifying new prospects to secure additional income from foundations in Switzerland and abroad.
• Preparing and submitting high quality funding proposals and budgets in accordance with timetables and application criteria.
• Maintaining accurate records, analysis and reporting of new business secured.
• Responsible for market analysis and monitoring of foundation fundraising.  Researching the market's innovation potential, competitors', and market suppliers.
• Active participation and collaboration in developing, planning, implementing, and evaluating new acquisition strategies and action plans.

Administration & process

• Actively participating in reflections on the development of the Philanthropy sector, with a particular focus on a global strategy for foundations.
• Ensuring continuous, evidence-based annual planning and efficient and effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all marketing and communication measures for foundations in Switzerland and abroad.
• In consultation with the Philanthropy sector, ensuring an optimal and innovative marketing mix of official and efficient donation instruments with the aim of increasing turnover.
• Ensuring the link with the Operations Department and being responsible for the project priority list and process in co-funding.
• Develops, manages, and complies with allocated revenue and expenditure budgets.
• Ensuring a pro-active and transparent flow of information to the Head of Philanthropy Sector and within the sector.
• Projection, reporting and correction plan to monitor and give a clear guidance and visibility of the activity and expected income.
• Active participation in strategic and planning meetings and project meetings with relevant agenda items.
• In consultation with the head of the sector, participation in external meetings and foundations-linked conferences in Switzerland. Responsibility for representation of the Foundation Tdh, both internally and externally, to personalities and at events.
• General administrative activities, especially address maintenance, correspondence etc.

Profil :

• An advanced university degree in Marketing, Communication for Development, Sales, Fundraising/Philanthropy, International Development, or a related area.
• 5 years of relevant professional work experience in fundraising.
• Excellent knowledge of the Foundations field in Switzerland.
• Experience in the Philanthropy sector in Switzerland.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies and securing high-value gifts is an asset. Experience in learning and development for philanthropy colleagues, as well as information management, is an asset.
• Capacity to convince and engage partners in a confident and long-lasting relationship.
• Track record of working independently and meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong collaboration skills
• Fluency in German and English and excellent writing and editing skills in German and English.
• Good knowledge of French (B2), knowledge of Swiss German an asset.

Tdh Global Code of Conduct and Risk Management Policies : 

• Fully complies with Tdh’s Global Code of Conduct and systematically reports any breach to the Code through the whistleblowing procedure: raises awareness within the Foundation on abuse and violence and the rights deriving therefrom, respecting the rights and dignity of children, members of the communities and our own Staff
• Commits to respecting Risk Management Policies including: Safeguarding Policies (Child Safeguarding Policy, Policy on the Protection against Sexual Exploitation and the Directive on Staff Misconduct at the Workplace), Safety and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption and Prevention of the Financing of Criminal Activities Policies
• Commits to reducing the risk of abuse and harm by developing a culture of open and informed leadership within the organization and in our work with children and the communities in which we intervene in. 

We offer you an exciting and varied job that is both useful and meaningful, as part of a team that wants to make a difference for children in highly vulnerable situations.

Are you interested? Are you ready to take on this challenge?   

Procedure :

Please apply directly online:

Application files sent through our official website will be processed only if complete (CV + cover letter). Additional documents (diplomas, work certificates, etc.) will be requested at a later stage. 

We will be in touch with the shortlisted candidates only in the selection process – with the large number of applications received, we unfortunately cannot provide personal follow-up to the larger candidate pool. Thanks for your understanding.

For any questions you can consult the FAQ below the job advertisements.