Philanthropy Advisor for Private Major Donors - German
Local Work Rights Required
This employer does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the job location.
This opportunity may still be relevant if you already have work authorization, are a permanent resident, citizen, student or dependant with work rights, or are seeking jobs within Africa.
Role Summary
Join Médecins Sans Frontières as a Philanthropy Advisor to enhance donor relationships and secure income from major donors in Switzerland.
About the Organisation
Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international medical and humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and without regard to race, religion, creed or political affiliation (MSF Charter).
The MSF movement is built around 5 operational centers supported by 24 sections and offices worldwide. MSF Operational Center Geneva (MSF OCG) is one of these centers.
As Philanthropy Advisor, you will secure and grow income from individual major donors in German-speaking Switzerland and Liechtenstein. You will manage a portfolio of assigned donors, build strong and lasting relationships, deepen their engagement with MSF’s social mission, and identify opportunities to increase their support. This includes organising meetings with MSF representatives, sharing relevant information on MSF projects and priorities, coordinating donor events and webinars, presenting funding opportunities, and directly soliciting financial contributions. You will also contribute to the effective use of the CRM system and prospect research to strengthen the team’s fundraising approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Qualification, cultivation and stewardship*
- Manages a portfolio of Major donors
- Is accountable to deliver the best possible experience to MSF key donors in in order to increase their engagement.
- Qualify each Major Donor and Major Donor prospect, in close cooperation with the Prospect Researcher
- In coordination with the Team Coordinator, closely liaise with the Middle Donor manager to identify and update potential Major Donors
- Prepare and facilitate one to one meetings, calls, presentations and other meaningful interactions with major donors or representatives (lawyers, wealth managers, etc.)
- Establish relations with new potential major donors, including high-potential middle givers and other prospects, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals, to secure significant future support for MSF’s work
- Interact and collaborate with key spokespersons within MSF (President, General Director, Director of Operations, other management team members), as well as field staff, with the aim of bringing donors closer to the organisation in an attempt to show them our live saving mission and work in the projects.
- Define, propose and organise visits to MSF offices and projects, in line with MSF criteria and guidance
- Ensure that the nature / identity of donors is in line with MSF gifts acceptance policy.
- Ensure that the moves management runs smoothly, and donors are thanked and steward properly.
- Keep the database up-to-date
- Liaise with Writing Officers for the preparation, including proof reading and editing, of project briefings, reports, proposals, slideshows, infographics and any other creative way of presenting MSF and its mission to private major donors
- Liaise with the Direct Marketing team to adequately leverage marketing appeals and to coordinate touch-points
- Solicitation*
- Present and defend MSF’s cases for support to individual major donors in German speaking Switzerland and Lichtenstein.
- Ensure that the major donors journey strategy is followed and that major donors are solicited according to their motivations in a personalised way.
- Information and data management*
- Closely work with the System Support Team to ensure most efficient use of Customer Relationship Management Database
- Support the Team Coordinator in income forecasting and quarterly analysis of results
- Others*
- Participate in the Community of Practice for Individual Major Donors of MSF
- Work proactively on projects as needed in the Unit, upon request by her/his supervisor.
Minimum Requirements
- Education*
- University degree in Business Management, Marketing, Communications, Political Science, Law, International Relations or equivalent
- Experience*
- Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in similar functions or in the fields of high-level relational skills, like public relations, wealth management or sales/marketing/communications, high-level advocacy or humanitarian project work
- Experience in using Microsoft Dynamics or other Customer Relationship Manager System: a plus
- Experience and knowledge of humanitarian aid: a plus
- Languages*
- (Swiss) German (native or equivalent),
- English
- French : a plus
- Italian: a plus
- Skills/ Technical competencies*
- Proven writing skills
- Excellent in oral public presentations
- Use of data base a plus
- Personal Abilities/Qualities*
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Rigorous and good organizational skills
- Empathic, enthusiastic, optimistic
- Result orientation
- Team spirit
- Strong commitment to MSF’s social mission and values
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should possess qualifications in donor relations and be eligible to work in Switzerland.
⚠️ Disclaimer: PathwayAI Africa does not guarantee employment, scholarships, visas, or admission. Always verify all opportunities through official sources before submitting personal information.
Check if You Qualify
Upload your CV to compare it against this specific opportunity. You can still apply even if improvements are recommended.