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Philanthropy and Partnerships Specialist – Major Donors, HNWIs, and Foundations

Key information

Starting date : as soon as possible


Duration : open-ended contract


Work percentage: 100%


Location : Lausanne


Deadline for applications : 12th January 2025


 


Tdh :


Terre des hommes (Tdh) is Switzerland's largest child relief organisation. Since 1960, Tdh has been helping to build a better future for disadvantaged children and their communities through innovative and sustainable solutions. Present in 26 countries with an operational budget of over 100 million Swiss francs, Tdh works with local and international partners to develop and implement projects in the field which improve the daily lives of over four million children and their families in the fields of health, Access to Justice and Migration but also protection and emergency. This commitment is financed by individual and institutional support, with administrative costs kept to a minimum.


 


We are seeking a dynamic professional to play a pivotal role in driving our fundraising efforts. Your primary focus will be on prospecting and acquiring new philanthropic donors, including major donors, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), as well as private and corporate foundations, primarily in Switzerland (with an emphasis on Romandie) and globally.


 


 

Key responsibilities include:

  • Leading business development initiatives to strengthen relationships with existing donors, secure new funding opportunities, and expand our donor network.
  • Ensuring effective stewardship and cultivation of both existing and new partnerships to build long-term, impactful collaborations.

Major and HNWIs (80 % )

  • Cultivate and manage tailored relationships with existing major donors and HNWIs, upgrading their contributions.
  • Prospect and acquire new donors in Switzerland and abroad, focusing on Romandie and French-speaking regions.
  • Lead the management of a personal donor portfolio and budget, ensuring accurate CRM use and optimal data for fundraising activities.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate acquisition strategies, plans, and budgets.
  • Plan and oversee marketing and communications (e.g., campaigns, events, HQ/field visits) for donor engagement.
  • Conduct market analysis, screening, and prospecting, identifying direct and indirect opportunities through family offices, banks, and philanthropy networks.
  • Integrate market innovations and competitor insights into fundraising strategies.

 

Private and corporate foundation (20 % )

  • Build and maintain relationships with private and corporate foundations, upgrading and acquiring new partnerships in Switzerland and beyond.
  • Manage a portfolio of foundations, ensuring CRM accuracy and strategic data use.
  • Plan and execute marketing and communication measures for foundation engagement.
  • Ensure timely delivery of high-quality proposals, reports, and communications to foundation partners.
  • In consultation with the head of the sector, represent Terre des hommes at meetings, conferences, and events linked to private and corporate foundations.

 

General Tasks

  • Ensuring a pro-active and transparent internal flow of information.
  • Projection, reporting and correction plan to monitor and give a clear guidance and visibility of the activity and expected income.
  • Active participation in sectoral strategic and planning meetings and project meetings with relevant agenda items.
  • General administrative activities, especially address maintenance, correspondence etc.

 

Profile :

  • An advanced university degree in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Marketing, Communication for Development, Sales, Fundraising/Philanthropy, International Development, or a related area.
  • An optimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience in fundraising and experience in the Philanthropy sector in Switzerland. Excellent knowledge of the Foundations field in Switzerland.
  • Experience developing fundraising strategies and securing high-value gifts is an asset. Experience in learning and development for philanthropy colleagues, as well as information management, is an asset.
  • A track record of working independently and meeting tight deadlines is an asset.
  • Fluency in French and English is required. Excellent writing and editing skills in French and English are required.
  • Good knowledge of German (B2) is preferred, knowledge of Swiss German is an asset.
  • Capacity to convince and engage partners in a confident and long-lasting relationship.
  • Honesty and capacity to walk the talk. Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
  • Works Collaboratively with partners and colleagues.
  • Innovates and Embraces Change
  • Thinks and Acts Strategically
  • Drives to achieve impactful results
  • Manages ambiguity and complexity

 

Conditions :

  • Remuneration?: Between CHF 83'000 and 102'000 gross per year
  • Leave: 25 days/year

 

Tdh Global Code of Conduct and Risk Management Policies :

  • Fully complies with Tdh’s Global Code of Conduct and systematically reports any breach to the Code through the whistleblowing procedure: raises awareness within the Foundation on abuse and violence and the rights deriving therefrom, respecting the rights and dignity of children, members of the communities and our own Staff
  • Commits to respecting Risk Management Policies including: Safeguarding Policies (Child Safeguarding Policy, Policy on the Protection against Sexual Exploitation and the Directive on Staff Misconduct at the Workplace), Safety and Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption and Prevention of the Financing of Criminal Activities Policies
  • Commits to reducing the risk of abuse and harm by developing a culture of open and informed leadership within the organization and in our work with children and the communities in which we intervene in.

 

We offer you an exciting and varied job that is both useful and meaningful, as part of a team that wants to make a difference for children in highly vulnerable situations.

Are you interested? Are you ready to take on this challenge?

 

Procedure :

Please apply directly online: https://hiring.tdh.org/philanthropy-partnerships-specialist/

Application files sent through our official website will be processed only if complete (CV cover letter). Additional documents (diplomas, work certificates, etc.) will be requested at a later stage.

We will be in touch with the shortlisted candidates only in the selection process – with the large number of applications received, we unfortunately cannot provide personal follow-up to the larger candidate pool. Thanks for your understanding.

For any questions you can consult the FAQ below the job advertisements.

 

Contact

  • Fondation Terre des hommes