Acre is proud to partner with IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development) to appoint a Head of Fundraising & Business Development - a pivotal leadership role within IIED's Directorate of Fundraising and Communications, responsible for building a resilient funding base as the organisation navigates a rapidly shifting global funding landscape.
About IIED
IIED is an international policy and research organisation working to build a fairer, more sustainable world in partnership with others across the globe. The organisation challenges the systems that perpetuate economic, social and environmental injustice, develops evidence-based ideas to drive systemic change, and builds connections at local, national and international levels.
The Opportunity
IIED operates in an increasingly complex global environment, as political shifts reshape international cooperation and ODA funding, even as new opportunities emerge through philanthropies, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, private sector partners and foundations.
The Head of Fundraising and Business Development will lead IIED's Fundraising and Business Development Team and drive its resource mobilisation strategy: increasing non-ODA income, developing ambitious funding propositions, expanding flexible and programmatic funding, and maximising both restricted and unrestricted income. Working closely with the Director of Fundraising and Communications, Finance, and Research and Impact teams, the role leads a coordinated approach to closing IIED's annual and multi-year funding gaps.
You will also have the opportunity to
- Lead relationships with key funder targets, directly and by supporting colleagues across the Institute, to build IIED's profile and secure future income
- Take direct responsibility for negotiating and closing funding agreements
- Develop a compelling narrative on IIED's focus areas and mission, and gather funding landscape intelligence to keep staff and trustees ahead of key trends
- Generate new fundraising ideas, from expanding existing funder relationships to accessing new income sources
- Support Task Teams and Major Initiatives with fundraising plans and donor scoping, and support the Director of Fundraising and Communications in engaging the Board of Trustees
- Develop and lead implementation of IIED's fundraising and business development strategy, managing the team budget and driving efficiencies, including through AI
- Line manage the Fundraising and Business Development Team, embedding IIED's people manager expectations around wellbeing, development and inclusive leadership
The ideal candidate will bring
- Significant experience leading fundraising functions within an international NGO or charity, with a proven ability to design and deliver income-generation strategies across institutional funding, philanthropic foundations, major donors and corporate partnerships
- A strong, evidenced track record securing income from public sector agencies and private foundations or individuals, backed by an outstanding personal network
- Strong understanding of the evolving finance and resource mobilisation landscape for sustainable development, including values-aligned private capital, regulatory considerations and digital tools including AI
- Demonstrated experience building strategic relationships and partnerships, with strong influencing, negotiating and stakeholder engagement skills across geographies and sectors
- Strong understanding of sustainable development policy internationally, with particular relevance to Africa, Asia and/or Latin America, and proven experience in partnership and consortium development
- Strong team leadership experience and an entrepreneurial, self-starting approach, with excellent written and verbal communication skills; fluency in English required, French, Spanish or Portuguese an advantage
If you are a fundraising leader driven by building resilient, diversified income for an organisation working to build a fairer, more sustainable world, we'd like to hear from you.
Please apply below or get in touch with Shaqeeb Hussain at shaqeeb.hussain@acre.com.
