Senior Specialist for Donor Communications

TechnoServe Background

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty.

The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Job Summary

The Advancement Team promotes and supports the mission of TechnoServe, strengthening the organization’s brand among key audiences and raising philanthropic support. We seek individuals who share our core values, are committed to driving lasting impact, welcome the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues around the world, are entrepreneurial and welcome accountability.

We seek to fill the role of Senior Specialist for Donor Communications. They will be responsible for content curation and creation to support a culture of philanthropy with a primary focus on major donors and principal gifts. They will also contribute to building TechnoServe’s brand and supporting priority outreach efforts. This role requires an excellent command of written and spoken English (Spanish and French highly desired) as well as strong project and people management skills. We value a collaborative and entrepreneurial mindset.

This role will be part of the Communications Team, reporting to the Sr. Director of Communications. It does not have any direct staff managerial responsibility but may supervise contractors.

Responsibilities

Donor Stewardship and Reporting (30%)

• Assume responsibility for the final quality and accuracy of donor materials to ensure consistent alignment with brand standards and strategic goals.


• Serve as project manager for donor materials, working with TechnoServe colleagues, contractors, interns, and volunteers.


• Research, write, and design personalized annual and mid-year impact reports for top-tier donors, ensuring alignment with their specific philanthropic interests. Ensure accuracy, quality, and cultural sensitivity in all communications.


• Manage a regular cadence of stewardship touchpoints and updates that keep donors connected to the mission between formal reports.


• Lead the development of additional donor-facing materials, including assets for donor recognition levels and legacy giving assets.


• Draft acknowledgment letters that reflect current organizational milestones.


• Provide regular content updates and assist major gift officers in customizing materials for specific solicitations.

Donor Engagement Strategy (20%)

• Evaluate key performance metrics and engagement patterns to uncover stewardship opportunities; design and execute data-informed, audience-specific messaging frameworks that resolve gaps and foster greater donor commitment.


• Set and report on annual key performance indicators.

Events and Webinars (20%)

• Lead production of the monthly "TechnoServe Connection" webinar series, managing the editorial calendar and speaker selection, drafting scripts/questions for the executive host, writing marketing emails, and monitoring attendance data.


• Collaborate with major gift officers and organizational leadership to develop strategic talking points and presentations for virtual and in-person donor events.

Multimedia Storytelling (20%)

• Identify and interview key donors to create video content that articulates their motivation for giving and recognizes them as key partners.


• Proactively develop and pilot new storytelling and donor recognition methods; explore emerging formats to share impact updates and deepen donor engagement with the TechnoServe story.


• Partner with field staff to source stories, impact data, and photos to expand the Story Bank of success stories and Quote Library.


• Produce SEO driven and human-centered stories for TechnoServe.org.

Cross-team Collaboration: (10%)

• Contribute to organizational campaigns like year-end fundraising and flagship publications like the annual report.


• Actively engage with the Communications Community of Practice, cultivate strong relationships within the Advancement team and throughout the organization to adopt best practices, surface opportunities, and enhance impact.


• Other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field with 5 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and donor communications, or a Master’s degree plus 3 years of experience.


• Proven experience in content creation, curation, and copywriting for donor audiences.


• Familiarity with fundraising and donor engagement best practices in a nonprofit setting.


• Proficiency in Google Workspace and content management systems.


• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Spanish, French or Portuguese language skills are highly desirable.


• Knowledge of international development, poverty alleviation, or related fields is a plus.


• Experience with WordPress, Meltwater, Riverside fm, Hive, The Raiser’s Edge, Adobe and Canva welcome.


• Experience with photography and video editing is welcome.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.


• Strong project management skills.


• Ability to exercise independent professional judgment in the execution of communication strategies, ensuring all materials meet organizational quality and accuracy standards.

As part of the application process, shortlisted candidates will be expected to provide samples of their work.

This is a hybrid position for candidates living within a commutable distance to headquarters at Arlington, VA. The current hybrid schedule is two days per week in the office, and three days from home. Candidates must have US work authorization at the time of application. TechnoServe will not provide sponsorship for this position.

The salary range for this position is $73,500 - $86,500. Final compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and organizational equity. TechnoServe strives to provide a comprehensive, market-leading benefits package competitive within our industry. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, and generous paid time off for vacation, personal, and sick leave.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515.