International Cooperation Associate (m/f/d)

WRI – World Resources Institute is looking for an International Cooperation Associate (m/f/d)

Job Summary:

As the International Cooperation Associate, you will work in WRI’s Global Development Department and support the Government Relations Team in managing strategic partnerships, resource mobilization efforts, and donor stewardship activities with key government partners in Europe. In this position, you will work under the direct supervision of the Director for International Cooperation.

You will keep track of major (project) funding vehicles these partners have initiated and help coordinate WRI submissions to the latter when relevant. Your other task will be to conduct research on their policy and funding priorities, identify possible synergies with WRI’s program goals and country strategies, draft strategic briefs and presentations for the Director.

Job Responsibilities:

Manage WRI’s strategic relations with existing European government partners (40%)

• Support and coordinate the execution of donor stewardship and business development plans with 3 to 4 European government partners;
• Identify synergies amongst agencies’ funding priorities and WRI’s program goals, country strategies, and signature initiatives;
• Ensure timely follow-up with donor requests, solicit staff inputs on proposals, review materials, ensuring all required documents are submitted;
• Prepare leadership-level meetings with these partners (e.g., briefings, PowerPoint presentations ) with a view to enhancing relationship-building efforts;
• Prepare and update institutional donor profiles and other intelligence materials.

Conduct partner research and prospecting (30%)

• Support the team’s business development efforts with prospective European government partners;
• Conduct research on their policy and funding priorities, identify possible synergies with WRI’s program goals and country strategies, draft strategic briefs and presentations for the Director;
• Prepare leadership-level meetings and other engagement activities with prospective partners;
• Review large proposals, in collaboration with relevant WRI program staff;
• Prepare and update institutional donor profiles and other intelligence materials;
• Enter, track, and update prospects and related information (meeting notes, etc.) in Salesforce.

Monitor and coordinate fundraising efforts across the Institute (30%)

• Monitor and coordinate WRI programs’ strategic engagement with selected European government partners and prospects;
• Track ongoing touchpoints with existing and prospective government partners and update and maintain partner information and contacts in Salesforce;
• Provide fundraising and engagement advice to WRI’s International Offices, Programs and Centers as needed;
• Ensure adherence to WRI’s fundraising policies and procedures, including centrally managed donors and the large proposal review process;
• Track funding prospect pipelines with selected European government partners and help prepare;
• Quarterly Pipeline Review reports, in coordination with other team members.

Job Qualifications:

• Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline, knowledge of international climate, environment, and international development policy issues preferred;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, preferably in a resource mobilization function in a global think-tank, other non-for-profit organization, international research institute or multilateral institution;
• Prior experience working with European government agencies and familiarity with fundraising processes required;
• Strong analytical and writing skills: ability to conduct research independently, translate technical information into plain language and develop proposals for varying audiences;
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills: ability to liaise effectively with a wide range of governmental stakeholders;
• Strong organizational skills: ability to set priorities, manage your time effectively and help drive projects to completion;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, and CRM systems (Salesforce experience preferred);
• Genuine team spirit and experience working with multicultural teams;
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment, with staff located across multiple time zones;
• English fluency required; mastery of additional European languages (e.g., German, French) would be a plus.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with cover letter. Resume and cover letter must be submitted in English to be considered. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

Program Overview:

The Global Development Team is broken into four key philanthropic sectors (Corporate Relations, Government, Foundations, and Individuals) that are managed by sector experts that provide strategic advice and a critical coordination function across the matrix. WRI Global’s fundraising model is decentralized by design. This is because donors want to hear from the technical experts themselves, who actively fundraise on behalf of their respective Programs and Centers.

The Development team provides the institute with strategic support, which includes:

• Set and track institutional fundraising strategy;
• Coordinate fundraising approaches across WRI’s network;
• Set key donor engagement strategies;
• Raise unrestricted and core funding;
• Help programs, centers, and international offices with priority fundraising needs;
• Process all gifts to the institute and manages donor acknowledgement.