Foundations and Corporations Officer Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Title: Foundations and Corporations Officer

Department: Fundraising

Reports to: Principal Gifts Program Manager

Position status: Full-time, Permanent, 37.5 hours/week

Location: Toronto 

Salary: $63,109 per annum

BACKGROUND

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian organisation. Our medical teams act fast to save lives in conflict zones, natural disasters and epidemics. We offer assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Today, with thousands of health professionals, logisticians and administrative staff – most of whom are hired locally – we’re working where we are needed most in 71 countries worldwide.

As an engine of MSF Canada and the MSF movement at large, the Fundraising Department plays a critical role in securing the success of our social mission. Raising over $59 million annually in private funding – through integrated direct response campaigns, major gifts, special campaigns, and legacy and planned giving vehicles – the Fundraising Department is at the heart of our humanitarian emergency medical operations in the field.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

MSF Canada seeks an aspirational, imaginative and versatile fundraiser to build and develop strategic partnerships with MSF’s charitable and corporate supporters. In an exciting new role reporting to the Principal Gifts Program Manager, the Foundations and Corporations Officer will play an integral part in the growth of MSF’s major gifts program and capitalize on innovative philanthropic opportunities to support MSF’s life-saving work.

The successful candidate will be a passionate advocate for MSF’s mission and able to communicate this effectively in writing and in person. A tactical thinker with a deep understanding of the charitable sector and proven relationship management experience, s/he will be self-motivated and collaborative, confident in developing high-level organizational partnerships and able to forge effective connections across the international movement. Most of the role will be spent preparing written proposals and stewardship reports, but the ideal Foundations and Corporations Officer will have the experience, resourcefulness and flexibility to build a broad range of partnerships and to interact with donors in a variety of ways.

DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES:

• Secure significant philanthropic support (annual gifts of at least $25,000) towards MSF’s international projects from foundations and corporations with shared aims and priorities
• Personally oversee a portfolio of new and existing major gift prospects and donors (foundations and corporations): identifying those with an interest in MSF’s work, engaging with them through written contact and face-to-face meetings, soliciting and closing major gifts, and nurturing donor relationships to uncover new partnership opportunities
• In consultation with the Principal Gifts Program Manager and the Director of Fundraising, develop and assist in the execution of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for MSF’s most significant donors and prospects (foundations and corporations)
• With colleagues at MSF Canada (particularly the Grant Management Officer and the Principal Gifts Coordinator) and across the MSF movement, develop high-quality and impactful reports and proposals for major donors and major donor prospects
• Initiate and develop new partnerships that are aligned with MSF values and principles, representing multiple fundraising channels such as corporate social responsibility, employee and matching gifts, and cause-related marketing
• Facilitate meetings between donors and MSF representatives (including the Executive Director, the Director of Fundraising, board members, field workers and members of the MSF Association)
• Work closely with the Events Officer to organize and/or attend stewardship and workplace giving events
• Maintain an up-to-date and deep knowledge of MSF’s mission, leadership and projects for discussion with donors and prospects
• Develop and comply fully with MSF’s donations acceptance policies
• Ensure all activity is tracked appropriately and keep accurate records on the Raiser’s Edge database
• Liaise with the Prospect Researcher to prepare tailored briefing notes for top prospect meetings
• Assist in the overall strategy and reporting requirements of the Principal Gifts team and the Fundraising Department
• Other duties as needed

QUALIFICATIONS/JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education and experience

• University or College degree
• 3+ years successful experience in major gift fundraising with proven experience in relationship management and demonstrated success in securing annual five-figure gifts from foundations and corporations
• English language required, bilingual (French) fluency preferred (both written and oral)
• CFRE and Raiser’s Edge certification would be assets

Skills and competences

• A solid understanding of the fund development process and moves management, particularly as relates to foundations and corporations
• Exceptional communication skills: written, oral and non-verbal, including presentation and public-speaking skills
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and databases (Raiser’s Edge)
• Able to understand complex information and convey it to prospective donors
• Able to handle a large volume of work under pressure while maintaining a sense of humour and keen attention to detail
• Emotionally intelligent with tact, diplomacy and polish
• Flexible amid changing demands
• A motivated self-starter
• A team player who displays initiative
• A strategic thinker with understanding of the charitable sector
• An enthusiastic advocate for MSF and the humanitarian sector

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is generally conducted during the day, Monday to Friday (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
• Duties require long hours sitting in front of a computer screen and occasional travel
• Sometimes it may be necessary to work evenings, weekends or holidays, as donor opportunities present

BENEFITS: 

Benefits include 100% coverage on Health and Dental plan, Life Insurance, RRSP contributions, Long-term / Short-term Disability, starting 4 weeks’ Vacation/year, Flexible work hours, Professional Development budget, Employee Assistance Program, and a positive and innovative office culture grounded in our core values of humanity, integrity and results.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION: 

Interested candidates are invited to apply by visiting MSF Canada Work in Our Offices.

Please be sure to include references and a letter of motivation as a part of your application.

The deadline for applications is Monday, April 30, 2018 at 9AM EST. Only electronic applications will be accepted.

Note: Applicants who have questions regarding accommodation and accessibility can send questions/concerns to Phone: 1-800-982-7903 ext: 3454.