Advisor II, Resource Mobilization for Strategic Change

The Advisor II, Resource Mobilization for Strategic Change will be a part of the Donor Engagement and Strategic Partnership (DESP) team but will work extensively under a matrixed structure with staff and teams from other departments. His/her main “client” internally will be strategic change platform (SCP) leads but may also include others for assigned initiatives. The Advisor II will work with the SCPs to strengthen their respective positioning and prospecting. The Advisor II will help SCPs determine what institutions and foundations are most likely to be successful thought partners, as well as what institutions and foundations have the greatest potential to fund their initiatives. The Advisor II will do this by helping SCPs assess and identify diverse donors through strategic analysis, materials development, and by connecting diverse stakeholders, those with donor knowledge and those with understanding of each SCP technical area. Importantly, th e Advisor II will ensure all related information is organized and shared with the necessary internal stakeholders. The Advisor II will also help the SCPs develop and implement donor engagement plans, pursue opportunities and maintain donor relationships. CRS anticipates this role will adapt based on the first year of assessment and subsequent implementation to continue to meet the evolving needs of the SCPs and DESP.
Roles and Key Responsibilities

1. Need Assessment:
2. Review the vision, direction, mission of each platform to understand its purpose.
3. Interview relevant stakeholders, including platform leads and teams.
4. Conduct written, shareable assessment of each platform BD strategy.
5. At the end of the first year, prepare an assessment of ongoing SCP resource mobilization gaps and opportunities, and recommendations for amending this job description accordingly. Throughout the first year, engage with supervisor to continuously adapt work priorities based on identified needs across the various SCPs.
6. Donor prospecting, analysis and plan development:
7. Work with SPC leads and DEOs to conduct donor landscaping, depending on platform resource acquisition requirements.
8. Conduct prospect research and analysis regarding potential private foundation and corporate donors that may be aligned with SCPs, focusing especially on the Land Restoration and Youth platforms.
9. Identify opportunities for pre-positioning and coordinate as necessary with IDEA’s IDC team to prepare materials or to supply the IDC team with content for social media campaigns that will attract the attention of prospective platform donors.
10. Develop/update a resource mobilization plan for each platform in collaboration with the SPC leads.
11. Connect appropriate platform staff with appropriate DEO, depending on need and potential.
12. Assist platforms to develop communications plans based on donor personality/demands, coordinating with other relevant teams, such as Institutional Donor Communications and Marcom, as needed.
13. Review and provide feedback on donor strategies to ensure alignment with SCP approaches.
14. Assist CPs with CP level RM strategies for their platform-related work, and
15. Help build capacity amongst technical experts for resource mobilization.

C. Business Development

• Assist DEOs to track opportunities for platforms using Gateway and other agency systems.
• Develop descriptions, summaries, and concept notes to “shop around” using language appropriate for institutional donors.
• Developing capacity statements and/or standard proposal language together with the SCPs. Track all SCP progress within their sector(s) to keep materials up to date.
• Provide guidance and hands-on support for the elaboration of concept notes and expressions of interest. Support could also be for proposal coordination, proposals, or budgets based on level of effort needed and other ongoing priorities.

D. Knowledge Management and Learning (KML):

• Develop and ensure systematic storage of documents and learning for the purposes of institutional history.
• Collect results of platform work to inform next round of communication materials.
• Serve as connector between platform and other CRS staff.
• Facilitate learning across SCPs regarding best practice RM efforts and propose systems and process improvements accordingly.
• Liaise with CRS Marcoms website upgrade efforts to ensure that SCP learning and positioning messages are appropriately reflected.

Work Conditions/Environment Conditions This position is based in Baltimore, Maryland. Telecommuting may be considered

Education and Experience –

• Undergraduate degree in international relations/development, marketing/communications/MBA, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of KML and/or institutional donor/corporate philanthropy fundraising experience.
• Minimum of two years overseas professional experience.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail and capacity to translate complex concepts for external institutional donor and corporate audiences.

Required Languages Excellent English oral and written language skills required.

Travel – up to 30% of job time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree in international relations/development, marketing/communications/MBA, or related field.
• Knowledge of CRS departments and their functions.
• Knowledge of CRS programs, and Catholic Social Teaching principles.
• French and/or Spanish proficiency.

*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
*EOE/M/F/D/V –* CRS is a n Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.