Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. We support communities – and the most marginalized within them – to emerge from crisis and build towards a more inclusive, resilient future. Mercy Corps is composed of a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. In more than 40+ countries around the world, over 5,400+ team members work side by side with people living through poverty, disaster, violent conflict, and the acute impacts of climate change. We’re committed to creating global change through local impact — 84% of our team members are from the countries where they work. We bring a comprehensive approach to every challenge, addressing problems from multiple angles. And we go beyond emergency aid, partnering with people living in fragile communities, local governments, social entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking corporations to develop bold solutions that make lasting change possible. About Programs at Mercy Corps The Programs function at Mercy Corps supports our mission and works with program impact, innovation, and influence teams. The Program Function is responsible for furthering our four outcome areas through program implementation: food security, water security, promoting economic opportunities and peace and good governance. The Programs function is composed of global and regional departments which are guided by Mercy Corps global strategy: Pathway to Possibility (P2P) and works in close partnership with all other agency departments to deliver the highest quality programming and impactful results. The Program Team aligns closely with the Pathway to Possibility, and works to deliver increased accountability, alignment, and fair and transparent resource allocation in how programs are implemented, while championing our Core Behaviors of collaboration, curiosity, inclusion, and integrity in everything they do. The Programs function is a key steward of Mercy Corps’ strategic commitments and the integration of these commitments into our programming: Climate Smart, Locally Led, Evidence Driven, Innovative & Creative, and Safe, Diverse & Inclusive. To achieve our goals, Mercy Corps works closely in partnership with a range of international institutions of key Governments around the world, including but not limited to: United States (USAID, Department of State), European Union (a number of the EU’s agencies but especially ECHO), United Kingdom (FCDO and the British Council), France (AFD), Canada (GAC), Switzerland (SDC), and Sweden (SIDA). Thanks to their generous support we are able to put bold solutions into action – helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. The Position Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Vice President (VP) Institutional Donor Engagement steers a vision of partnership with key donor communities, and promotes the public profile, brand recognition, and voice of Mercy Corps while championing its work across the globe. As an integral member of the Leadership Team (LT), they are responsible for developing and executing a global business development strategy to maintain productive relationships with, and build revenue from existing institutional donors, including key North American and European governments, while expanding and diversifying the portfolio of institutional donors beyond these two entities. Along with the VP of Global Programs & Support and Global Program Delivery, the VP for Institutional Donor Engagement serves as part of the Global Program Leadership Senior Team, collaborating to ensure excellence in the effective implementation of Mercy Corps’ strategic vision under Pathway to Possibility (P2P) as stewards of Mercy Corps’ key accountability mechanisms. As the head of an integrated Institutional Donor Engagement department, the VP, Institutional Donor Engagement ensures consistent practices across institutional donor engagement and executive-level visibility into institutional fundraising and business development efforts. The VP and their teams consolidate new program development and donor trends, empowering teams to develop high quality, evidence-based programs that build community resilience and inclusion, while driving sustained agency performance and growth in our sector. Working in partnership with and aligning strategies with the Chief Development Officer and the Mercy Corps Europe Executive Director, they champion a vision for business development efforts that align with Mercy Corps’ Pathway to Possibility strategy (leveraging the new business development strategies), the European Strategic Plan which sets out how Pathway to Possibility will be achieved in Europe, and institutional donor priorities (capitalizing on deep donor relationships), while keeping at its core the delivery of climate smart, evidence-driven, innovative & creative, locally led, and safe, diverse, and inclusive programming. Essential Responsibilities STRATEGY AND VISION
Plan, set, and promote a strong agency competitive position and approach to institutional business development and donor relations with a focus on continued revenue growth and diversification. In partnership with the Mercy Corps Europe Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, lead in the agency’s strategic growth through a deep knowledge of industry trends, analysis of opportunities, and strategic choices regarding Mercy Corps’ investment of time and resources for specific business opportunities. Accountable for bringing in institutional donor revenue which aligns with our four outcome areas in the regions and countries in which we work. Develop a medium-term pipeline for all institutional donors for Mercy Corps so we can plan organisational growth and development in line with projected revenue. Update the Executive Team and Board of Directors on pipeline of strategic opportunities while outlining trends and potential risks in partnership relations. Work with the Mercy Corps Europe Executive Director; Comms and Marketing Team, Corporate/Foundations; Policy & Advocacy; Program Performance and Quality; Finance & Compliance, Research & Learning, Regional Awards Management Teams; and other teams as needed to maintain and strengthen Mercy Corps’ reputation, strategic position, and partnerships with bilateral and multilateral Institutional donors. Drive consistent practices across institutional donor engagement and bring executive visibility into MC’s business development. Act as a spokesperson for Mercy Corps business development needs who can regularly and effectively liaise with donors. PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT Provide leadership, oversight and management for Mercy Corps’ entire portfolio of relationships with institutional donors and support the team to develop a strategic plan on how to shape and develop it in line with our four outcome areas. Provide quarterly reporting to the ELT and the board on progress on our goals as well as discuss management of risks associated with the portfolio. Lead in devising fundraising strategies for program and project development. Ensure effective information sharing across regions and departments, from proposal and budget development to implementation, monitoring and reporting.