Private Partnerships & Philanthropy Specialist (800159)

What We Do

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has worked to relieve suffering and preserve human dignity during war and armed violence. Alongside our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, we deliver life-saving aid across front lines and strive to reconnect families and locate missing people.

Engaging with authorities and armed forces on all sides, often confidentially, we advocate for humane treatment of detainees and urge compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm, including online.

About the Private Partnerships and Philanthropy Team

The Movement Private Partnerships and Philanthropy (MPPP) team plays a key role in advancing the ICRC’s private sector engagement strategy. Working with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the team helps secure, sustain, and grow strategic philanthropic partnerships with foundations, companies, and other key stakeholders globally.

The team is looking for a Private Partnerships and Philanthropy Specialist to build, manage, and develop a diverse portfolio of structured philanthropy partners and major donors across targeted markets. Working collaboratively with a networked approach, the Specialist will engage with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to identify, cultivate and strengthen high-value relationships. The role focuses on developing and scaling impactful and transformative partnerships that mobilize sustainable support for people affected by conflicts around the world.

Purpose of the Position

In this role, the Specialist leads the management of a diverse, multi-country portfolio of high-value donor relationships in close collaboration with partners of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Specialist also contributes to the design, testing, and implementation of innovative fundraising initiatives that expand philanthropic engagement. By identifying, cultivating, and stewarding structured philanthropy prospects and donors, the Specialist helps build long-term and strategic partnerships. The role requires effective cross-functional coordination, strong partnership-building, and alignment with the ICRC’s humanitarian mandate and resource mobilization strategy across the wider International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

As a member of the Movement Private Partnerships and Philanthropy (MPPP) team, the Specialist reports to the Movement Private Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager and works closely with colleagues across the broader Private Partnerships and Philanthropy team in Geneva, London, and Washington, as well as the wider ICRC ecosystem. Together, the team develops and implements strategic engagement plans that leverage the resources, networks, and expertise of philanthropic partners globally to maximize humanitarian impact.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic partnership development:

• Supports the identification of joint high-value fundraising opportunities with and through National Societies and the IFRC.
• Develops, tests and implements joint fundraising strategies and action plans with structured philanthropy partners in priority markets.
• Identifies and pursues collaborative opportunities with corporates, foundations, trusts, and other structured philanthropy actors.
• Helps in developing and testing value propositions and engagement models that reflect both ICRC operational priorities and Movement strengths.
• Facilitates coordination and dialogue between the ICRC and Movement partners’ fundraising teams to ensure strategic alignment.

Donor engagement and portfolio management

• Manages and develops a portfolio of major donors, with a focus on structured philanthropy, longer-term and transformational philanthropic partnerships.
• Identifies and acquires new high-value donors in defined markets with and through the Movement.
• Builds personalized joint stewardship plans to deepen donor relationships and support long-term commitment.
• Uses research, database insights, press sources, and other intelligence to identify prospects and define outreach strategies.
• Represents the ICRC in high-level donor engagements and ensure consistent, compelling institutional messaging.

Fundraising tools, data, and compliance

• Contributes to the development of tailored fundraising tools, products, proposals, reports, and engagement platforms.
• Works closely with enabler teams such as Income & Data, Digital, CRM, and tool owners to improve fundraising systems and adoption.
• Ensures accurate registration of pledges, contributions, earmarking, and follow-up actions in the CRM.
• Supports compliance with data protection, due diligence, ethical screening, and institutional policies.
• Contributes to forecasting, budgeting, and monitoring of income and related fundraising costs.

Market intelligence and innovation

• Monitors trends in Movement fundraising, corporate philanthropy, and foundation giving in relevant markets.
• Contributes to prospect research and donor mapping.
• Keeps accurate records of donor and partnership activity.
• Brings forward innovative fundraising approaches and help assess their relevance for the ICRC and wider International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Required Experience and Education

• 6 to 9 years of professional experience, including significant experience in major gifts fundraising
• Master's Degree is required in a relevant field of education
• Strong understanding of private fundraising and portfolio management, with demonstrated knowledge of philanthropic landscapes, ecosystems, and trends across one or more markets, preferably in Europe.
• 3 years of experience in developing and implementing donor engagement plans.
• Fluency in English required; additional languages such as French, Arabic, Spanish, German or Italian are a strong asset.
• Experience working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and/or another humanitarian organization, with exposure to multi-country or regional fundraising and partnership development is an asset.
• Ability to simplify and analyse complex issues into clear, actionable messages.
• Excellent interpersonal, partnership-building, coordination, negotiation, presentation, and writing skills.
• Confident use of databases and CRM systems.
• Strong sense of client-orientation, accountability, discretion, and professionalism.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Additional Information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of Contract: Open Ended
• Mobility Type: Long Term Assignment
• Working rate: 100%
• Starting date: Mid Sept 2026
• Application deadline: Sunday, 2nd Aug 2026

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Are you ready to explore the next chapter of your career? Apply now!

For more information about working at ICRC HQ please click here

Our Values

• At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.