Manager: Trusts & Foundations At Center for Civilians in Conflict

About CIVIC

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international nonprofit with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians caught in conflict zones. CIVIC envisions a world in which no civilian is harmed in conflict. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and advisors who provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org.

About the Position

CIVIC seeks an experienced and self-starting development professional to help forge new and grow existing partnerships. Focusing on an assigned portfolio of Trusts, Foundations, and Corporates, the incumbent will support the Business Development Director in external engagement while managing day-to-day donor relations and complex application processes with a high degree of independence.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of Trusts, Foundations and Corporates more broadly, and of the funding environment, especially in relation to the development, humanitarian, conflict, or human rights space. This includes experience with key Trusts and Foundations, particularly those based in the USA. Candidates should be intimately familiar with the technical intricacies of bidding and grant-making processes and have a successful fundraising track record.

The Trusts and Foundations Manager works as part of a high-performing team of development professionals with specialist expertise across the government, multilateral, foundation, and private philanthropy space. They will also collaborate closely with CIVIC colleagues across numerous geographies, time zones, and departments. The position is located at CIVIC’s HQ in The Hague or Washington D.C. (with hybrid office & home working options).

Key Functions

As a vital member of the Development team, the Trusts & Foundations Manager:

• Leads on day-to-day engagement with a set of assigned donor institutions, in close consultation with the Business Development Director (BDD) and the Executive Director (ED);
• Together with the BDD and ED, develops and implements engagement strategies, based on thorough research and analysis of target funders and their decision-making structures, as well as of broader political, economic, and funding trends;
• Identifies funding opportunities and initiates/leads necessary bid approval discussions with all internal stakeholders.
• Coordinates complex proposal and donor reporting processes, ensuring seamless collaboration with relevant program and finance colleagues.
• Negotiates and facilitates funding arrangements and grant contracts.
• Works with all relevant teams to communicate donor requirements and expected standards; ensure grant compliance and adequate donor servicing; and where necessary, propose reforms and (co-)develop solutions to bring CIVIC (and development team) standards and practices in line with, often stringent donor expectations.
• Maintains thorough and well-organized records of all relevant donor intel and grant data, using agreed systems and tech platforms.
• Fully participates in a wide range of strategic, operational and management discussions and processes, contributing to organization-wide efforts to maximize efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness.

Donor Engagement and Business Development (30%)

• Helps to raise and grow income from Trusts, Foundations, and Corporates.
• Directly engages with donors to build trust-based long-term relationships and unlock new grants and core opportunities.
• Works with other team members to systematically expand strategic donor communications.
• Prepares for and coordinates donor events and meetings.

Proposal Development (35%)

• Coordinates and produces top-quality proposals, managing complex internal communications across teams and ensuring the result consistently meets deadlines, donor expectations, and the highest competitive standards.

Board relations (10%)

• Forming and enhancing relationships with members of CIVIC’s Board to generate broader support for CIVIC’s mission and priority programs.
• Working closely with members on their individual fundraising commitments and reaching out to their networks as sources of funding for CIVIC.

Internal Communication (15%)

• Builds strong relationships across all teams and departments and facilitates fruitful collaborations.
• Effectively communicates to raise organization-wide awareness of development objectives, donor requirements, and the team’s current and future priorities.
• Applies skill and diplomacy to prevent or resolve internal conflicts, miscommunication, or frustration.

Prospect Research and Data Management (10%)

• Researches, identifies, and reviews suitable grant opportunities and requests for proposals (RFPs).
• Compiles and shares comprehensive donor intelligence for the assigned donor portfolio.
• Maintains accurate records of donor data, using Salesforce and other agreed platforms.

Requirements/Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience and record of success in non-profit fundraising, preferably in the field of conflict prevention, international affairs, development, or human rights.
• Significant knowledge and expertise in Trusts, Foundations and/corporate donor engagement.
• Background or interest in human rights, development, international security, conflict resolution and/or peacebuilding.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Deep experience in proposal development, grant management and donor servicing.
• Personal maturity and an ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with internal and external interlocutors, maintaining a calm, reassuring, and objective attitude at all times.
• Experience working in international or highly diverse, multi-cultural contexts and across time zones.
• Excellent time management and an ability to handle tight deadlines and deliver complex tasks under pressure, while maintaining mental flexibility and showing exceptional attention to detail.
• Technological proficiency, including in the Microsoft Office Suite/Google Applications. Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM suites a clear benefit.
• Understanding and use of donor/prospect research databases, search engines, and systems.

Additional Details

Please submit your application by clicking on the “Apply for this Job” button before Monday, April 15, 2024. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Currently, CIVIC’s offices in the US and the Netherlands are open under strict adherence to all applicable COVID-19 regulations. In the US and the Netherlands CIVIC has established a hybrid work model that offers work from home on 3 days per week and work from the office on 2 days per week.

CIVIC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package to include excellent health care support, life insurance, a retirement savings plan with employer match in the US and equivalent retirement contribution in the Netherlands, and paid leave plus paid holidays (including the day after Thanksgiving and the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day).

CIVIC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool in the belief that employees from diverse backgrounds are critical to achieving our goals. We strongly encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and experiences.