Senior Coordinator for Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (International)

Job Description

Context

The incumbent will support the Secretary-General in the implementation of his/her mandate by managing and developing external relations with key stakeholders, including member states, with the aim of establishing meaningful collaborations and heightening the visibility of International IDEA. The Senior Adviser, Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization will provide strategic leadership and direction in donor management strategy and fund acquisition, building the profile of the organization and pre-positioning International IDEA.

The position is key within the office of the Secretary-General, requiring close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders of the Institute with whom the Secretary-General has contact. The role requires close collaboration with the Programme Officer in charge of governance-related aspects of the Secretary-General’s Office, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General as well as with the Budget and Programme Performance Team which handles procedures related to resource mobilization for restricted funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Secretary-General and the Executive Director, provides strategic direction for fund acquisition by developing an appropriate strategy and business plan based on relevant market understanding and analysis;
• Coordinates fundraising efforts within the institute; Supports and initiates innovative funding streams;
• Provides input to pre-award teams on translating early discussions with potential partners into concept notes, project proposals and funding agreements;
• Designs and implements a system which facilitates information management on member states, donors and partners, internal communications and timely follow-up in the pursuit of new partnership and funding opportunities;
• Analyses the global political, social and economic landscape relevant to International IDEA and identifies opportunities for programme development;
• Gathers and shares strategic intelligence regarding Member States and donors;
• Explores and identifies the possibilities of non-financial contributions from donors, Members States and partners;
• Maintains strategic interaction with Member State representatives, ensuring active membership engagement;
• Identifies potential partners and initiates relationships; Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with government agencies, professional associations, international organizations, bilateral donors, foundations and NGO’s;
• Manages the external contacts with Member States and strategic partners, coordinates communication and appropriate follow-up, including ensuring MOUs are aligned with International IDEA’s mission;
• Represents International IDEA at external events; Presents International IDEA’s expertise and communicates its added value to donors and key stakeholders;
• Engages with member states, international organizations and private foundations whose mandate offers potential areas for collaboration with International IDEA;
• Monitors and tracks the implementation of multi-year core agreements, including taking follow-up action on commitments with relevant units as appropriate and ensuring implementation of the multi-year core agreements.

General Profile

• Combines in-depth knowledge, acquired through academic achievements, excellent skills including managerial skills and relevant experience working with resource mobilization in development corporation and strategic partnership development;
• Contributes to assigned projects with authority, and provides policy analysis and design as appropriate;
• Contributes to publications; is recognized as an expert in his/her broad professional community;
• Has the intellectual leadership to integrate innovation into his/her field of expertise;
• Fosters team-based activities in his/her unit; collaborates with other entities of the Institute;
• Acts as a model and mentor for less experienced colleagues;
• Is expected to travel globally to any geographical area involved in his/her projects;
• Follows internal procedures to ensure high standards of performance and compliance with Institutional guidelines;
• Integrates a gender and diversity perspective in all activities;
• Acts in accordance with International IDEA’ s core values; Respect, Integrity and Professionalism.

Reporting Line

• Secretary-General.

Programmatic Knowledge

• Has in-depth knowledge and extensive work experience in own discipline, combined with excellent understanding of related disciplines in order to approach activities in a holistic manner;
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and the ability to synthesize key concepts and convey messages to diverse audiences;
• Excellent understanding of world affairs and of major international trends in the field of democracy promotion, as well as excellent understanding of the development funding landscape related to the democracy-support field;

Operational knowledge, skills and experience

• Excellent communicator, ability to build meaningful relationships and influence member states’ representatives and such other stakeholders; Solid experience in targeting, cultivating and maintaining donor relations;
• Integrates a results-based approach into the design, management and evaluation of all his/her Unit’s activities;
• Has understanding of relevant budgetary and monitoring and evaluation requirements by donors;
• Illustrates integrity, a collaborative spirit, a sense of achievement, and an understanding of risk management.

Leadership

• Leadership capabilities that include coaching staff to a high level of performance & engaging in effective cross cultural & cross functional working to achieve shared goals and effective indirect line management;
• Acts as a model and resource for colleagues.

Problem Solving

• Will solve complex challenges, approach issues with new perspectives, and analyze situations from a multitude of intervening factors.

Impact

• Has a clear impact on the organization’s development and delivery;
• Will also impact other teams and programmes.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Liaises permanently to all internal and external stakeholders involved in his/her project; acts and is perceived as an initiator of relevant communication to solve issues; Ensures appropriate representation of International IDEA at strategic fora that could lead to resource acquisition and enhanced programming collaboration;
• Drives projects and assignments through communicative personal energy and engagement;
• Can explain sensitive information with diplomacy and build consensus;
• Is able to present his/her activities and represent International IDEA effectively in all professional circles;
• English: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English required; Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region is highly desirable.

Education and Experience

• University degree international relations, public relations, business administration, communications or related discipline;
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience working in donor relations, external relations, resource mobilization, communications and advocacy or related field within global organizational environments (national, multilateral, governmental or NGO);
• Excellent knowledge and experience of project management with government and multilateral agencies grant funded projects and experience of grant compliance procedures for major bilateral and multilateral donors;
• Experienced networker with an ability to maintain a good up to date knowledge of the grant opportunities and trends;
• Experience mobilizing resources from non-traditional sources would be an asset.

Applying for this position:

• Applications should be submitted online no later than 23:59 (CET) 10 January 2021. Please note that all applications must be made in English.
• You may apply directly by pressing the Send Application button.
• Shortlisted candidates can expect to be contacted by early February 2021.

About the Organization

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance — International IDEA is an intergovernmental organization that supports sustainable democracy worldwide. International IDEA’s mission is to support sustainable democratic change by providing comparative knowledge, and assisting in democratic reform, and influencing policies and politics.