Strategic Partnerships Manager at Global Crop Diversity Trust

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is an international organization with headquarters in Bonn, Germany whose mission is to ensure the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide. For further information about the Global Crop Diversity Trust, consult the web page at http://croptrust.org

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of:

Strategic Partnerships Manager

The Strategic Partnerships Manager will develop, coordinate and foster partnerships in pursuit of the organization’s fundraising objectives, thereby enabling the Crop Trust to mobilize resources from diversified sources (governments, development finance institutions, private donors, corporates and other relevant investors and stakeholders). The Strategic Partnerships Manager coordinates the Crop Trust’s Partnerships Unit within the External Affairs Team and reports directly to the Director of External Affairs.

The candidate is responsible for:

• Managing fundraising activities with a 3 to 5-year time horizon in line with the strategic goals of the organization
• Developing and maintaining effective partnerships with governments, intergovernmental, non-governmental organizations, financial institutions, civil society and the private sector that are of strategic importance to the organization
• Contributing to the coordination of ‘crop-based fundraising’ efforts through which private and public stakeholders along specific crop and commodity value chains are being engaged
• Keeping abreast of developments in relevant multi-lateral policy framework, funding mechanisms – and engaging with relevant multi-lateral initiatives on behalf of the organization
• Overseeing the management of an effective donor database
• Collaborating with the Head of Communications to promote the Crop Trust’s mandate and initiatives, raise awareness and stimulate action to advance the organization’s global agenda and resource mobilization
• Developing and monitoring of the organization’s partnerships and fundraising budget in consultation with the Director of External Affairs and other relevant colleagues
• Acting as a spokesperson for the organization towards partners, donors, policy makers, and other external actors, when required
• Reporting progress of the Partnerships Unit’s core activities to the Crop Trust’s key governance structures, including the Donors’ Council, the Executive Board, and other bodies, as needed.

Candidate Profile: You are a natural networker who is able to work the room (virtual or physical) and engage a wide range of stakeholders – from scientists to chefs to politicians – either individually or presenting on a stage. You’ll be upbeat, proactive and quick to spot opportunity to advance the Crop Trust’s mission and partnerships objectives. You will also be highly organized and committed to supporting administrative tasks, while simultaneously steering a strong and motivated team of young professionals.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience working in partnership with many different types of organizations, providing a clear understanding of the needs and motivations for Crop Trust stakeholders and partners
• Demonstrated success with resource mobilization in the non-profit sector
• Good understanding of the donor landscape in which the Crop Trust operates
• Sufficient higher education or equivalent experience to be considered highly credible in this role
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a similar position, preferably in an international working environment
• Experience with managing a team in the area of partnerships development and resource mobilization is a plus
• Experiences in the multi-lateral sphere, especially on biodiversity, agriculture, environment and/or climate change topics are a strong plus
• Previous exposure to the food and agriculture sector is a plus, in particular as it relates to private stakeholders of crop/commodity value chains.
• Previous experiences with contact or customer relationship database management is a plus
• Fluent English language, both written and spoken; knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact effectively with a wide range of collaborators from different cultural backgrounds
• Strong client orientation and service approach

Terms and Conditions: The Crop Trust offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement savings plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. This is a Professional position classified at Level 4 (Level 6 being the highest). The salary range for

Level 4 starts at Euro 55,000 and all benefits are denominated and paid in Euros. Staff of the Global Crop Diversity Trust (including German nationals) is exempt from host country income tax. Relocation costs are covered for candidates residing outside of the Bonn/Cologne or surrounding areas. The contract duration will be for a period of 3 years, subject to a probationary period of 12 months.