Development Officer, Sociedad Mexicana Pro Derechos de la Mujer, Mexico City, Mexico

Development Officer

Posted on: August 8, 2014
Application deadline: August 27, 2014
Posted by: Sociedad Mexicana Pro Derechos de la Mujer

Sociedad Mexicana Pro Derechos de la Mujer (Semillas) was the first women's fund established in the global South and remains the only fund of its kind in Mexico. Semillas trusts that local women's organizations in Mexico are able to identify their own needs and propose viable solutions. The role of Semillas is therefore to provide its grantees with the resources and support required to push forward these solutions and achieve social change. Semillas contributes to strengthening the women's movement in Mexico through three main social investment strategies: 1) Providing seed funding to grassroots organizations and leaders; 2) Facilitating training on issues such as human rights, leadership, institutional strengthening, and communications strategies; and 3) Linking partners working in different regions of the country in order to build alliances and enhance their impact.

By mobilizing resources for social change, the Development team plays a central part in achieving Semillas' mission. The Development Officer will work as part of the Development team alongside the Communications Officer and the Administrator of the individual donors' network, under the supervision of the Head of Development. The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for developing grant reports and proposals for a diverse group of national and international institutional donors such as foundations and development agencies, in addition to contributing to the development and strategic implementation of Semillas' fundraising plan.

This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain fundraising experience in support of a wide range of women's rights issues, such as sexual and reproductive rights, labor rights, economic empowerment, and land rights. To learn more about the organization, we invite applicants to visit our website: www.semillas.org.mx

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising

• Collaborate in the development of Semillas' fundraising plan
• Research and identify new funding opportunities with national and international donors
• Prepare letters of inquiry, concept notes and proposals for institutional donors, both in English and Spanish, with guidance from the Head of Development and the Executive Director

Monitoring of projects

• Create and implement mechanisms for monitoring progress on a diverse portfolio of projects
• Provide timely updates regarding Semillas' work to existing donors
• Request and review inputs needed for reporting
• Prepare reports for donors in both English and Spanish

Other Development tasks

• Supervise interns and/or volunteers
• Assist in the creation of the annual work plan as well as quarterly plans
• Assist in the planning of fundraisers and other related events
• Translate documents from Spanish to English and vice versa
• Carry out various administrative tasks relevant to the position

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in the humanities or social sciences
• At least four years of experience in the NGO sector, preferably in Mexico
• At least two years of fundraising experience

Candidates with a master's degree in a relevant field and at least one year of fundraising experience with an NGO may also be considered.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual English/Spanish, with excellent writing skills in both languages
• Strong analytical skills as well as attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work against deadlines and under pressure
• Knowledge of gender and human rights issues, particularly in relation to the current political and social context of Mexico
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and the context of philanthropy in Mexico
• Commitment to feminist values and to the mission of Semillas
• Willingness to work as part of a team and independently
• Proactive in proposing new ideas and seeking solutions to problems

This is a full-time position based in Mexico City. Willingness to occasionally travel within Mexico and internationally is required.

Semillas is an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate for any reason, including age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status or socioeconomic situation.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be accepted through August 27th, 2014. Applicants should submit a CV in Spanish or English as well as a cover letter in English to Goizalde de Eguskiza via e-mail: goizalde.deeguskiza@semillas.org.mx

The successful candidate will ideally start in October 2014.

Development Officer - Institutional Giving, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, New York, NY

Development Officer - Institutional Giving

Posted on: July 30, 2013
Posted by: Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice

DESCRIPTION

This is a key position in the Development Department that is responsible for maintaining and increasing support from foundation and government sources. The Development Officer, Institutional Giving will manage all aspects of foundation and government funding, including maintaining and increasing grants from these sectors, developing proposals and reports, cultivating current relationships, as well as conducting prospect research and approaching new funders. This position requires a strategic thinker with excellent writing and editing skills. The successful candidate will be able to multi-task, meet deadlines, and have a collaboration work style.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage all reports, proposals and correspondence with foundation and government funders ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Develop detailed and compelling written proposals and project budgets.
  • Manage annual grants calendar for all proposals, acknowledgements, and reports. Maintain historical records.
  • Manage a calendar for institutional donors and engage development, program and finance staff in the process
  • Cultivate relationships with program officers to further engage them in Astraea's work.
    • Research, identify and cultivate new foundation prospects, including tracking of RFPs and other publicized funding opportunities, outreach by phone and email; submission of letters of inquiry and full proposals, as appropriate.
    • In collaboration with program staff, prepare and submit grant applications to foundations that meet predetermined Astraea income target goals.
    • Build relations with the philanthropic community, donors and peers through networking opportunities and monitor on-going US philanthropic trends.
    • Keep abreast of Astraea's programming through ongoing contact with other staff.
      • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned from time to time.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated track record of securing and managing foundation and government grants
• Minimum of three-five years fundraising experience
• Strong understanding of the US philanthropic sector; international experience a plus.
• Proven ability to write clear and compelling proposals, reports and other communications with funders and prospects
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to manage a wide variety of internal and external relationships.
• Ability to handle multiple and often competing deadlines.
• Commitment to the work and values of Astraea Foundation.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree in relevant area or equivalent work experience is required.
• Advanced degree in relevant field is preferred.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send résumé, cover letter, and salary requirements to aswartz@astraeafoundation.org