Senior Development Manager Country Lead - MENA

ABOUT US

The WHO Foundation (WHOF), launched in May 2020 and headquartered in Geneva, was created as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with but independent of WHO. Its mission is to mobilize greater private capital and partnership to advance the mission of the World Health Organization (WHO), enabling catalytic impact on the people whose lives rely on WHO’s work, and facilitating innovation to maximize the impact of the resources we invest.

WHO plays a singular role in leading the global health ecosystem, acting as a first-responder to health crises — including cross border conflicts and outbreaks in underserved communities and geographies; producing technical guidelines and tools to prevent and treat disease; and acting as a country-level convener with an unparalleled level of trust. The crises of the 21st century, including COVID-19, have made clear both the inequity of access to effective and affordable healthcare and the indispensable role of WHO. Yet WHO lacks sufficient resources to fulfill its mandate. And its vision cannot be achieved by the funding from the public sector alone.

The WHO Foundation was therefore created as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with but independent of WHO to marshal new resources from philanthropists, foundations, businesses, and individuals to support its mission: promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable, while protecting the neutrality and independence of WHO as the world’s leading health authority. WHOF is a nexus for unique opportunities in global health, facilitating game-changing opportunities between the private sector and WHO. Our focus is on mobilizing grant income, shared value partnerships, and investment to power WHO’s work.

PURPOSE

The Senior Development Manager – MENA will play a strategic leadership role in advancing WHOF’s regional fundraising goals, cultivating influential relationships, and securing transformational gifts.

They will combine deep knowledge of local philanthropic ecosystems, cultural and business practices, and global health priorities to position WHOF as a trusted partner in the region.

REPORTS TO

The Senior Development Manager will report to the Chief Development Officer at the WHO Foundation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and portfolio management:

• Lead WHOF’s fundraising strategy and delivery for two designated MENA markets, serving as the Foundation’s senior representative and relationship lead in-country.
• Develop and execute tailored country-level fundraising strategies that align with the Foundation’s goals and reflect local giving cultures.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of 60–80 high-value prospects; meet or exceed fundraising KPIs; share insights and best practice across the region.
• Design and implement a comprehensive development strategy for the region, including developing or leveraging financial structures to facilitate the flow of money, and align with the Foundation’s development goals.
• Manage a portfolio of 60-80 prospective donors (100K to 3 million USD capacity) and develop them across all stages of cultivation.
• Meet a yearly set of agreed fundraising KPIs (including money raised, asks made, meetings secured and gift close rate).
• Ensure that there is cohesion and continuity in WHOF MENA’s fundraising strategy and best practice across the region.
• Efficiently use the CRM to record and report on activity: feeding into campaign data, team reporting and management information for the senior leadership team.

Relationship management:

• Develop and implement effective cultivation/ solicitation strategies with potential donors to motivate significant gifts to match fundraising priorities.
• Initiate and grow a personal network of senior key influencers in the MENA region and worldwide who are able to advise and make introductions to strengthen and grow our major donor base.
• Work closely with WHO country offices and regional stakeholders to align fundraising with national health priorities
• Translate complex ideas into compelling messages tailored to supporters.
• Contribute to the concept, planning and delivery of events and other opportunities to engage with WHOF’s community of supporters.
• Work with leadership and fundraisers from across the Foundation to identify potential funding priorities that may be of particular interest to prospects in the MENA region.

Collaboration:

• Work in partnership with the Finance team, Legal, Comms and wider WHOF teams to ensure gifts are processed in line with donor wishes and financial regulations.
• Work with senior stakeholders to secure transformational gifts.
• Ensure the highest standards of donor care through effective stewardship, timely reporting, gift acknowledgment and continued engagement.

PROFILE

• Extensive fundraising experience at a major gift level, developing relationships and personally securing significant gifts (6-7 figures).
• Strong understanding of philanthropic networks and high-net-worth communities in the Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar).
• Demonstrated ability to operate at senior level with government, royal court, and corporate leaders.
• Strong experience in health partnership with health emergencies and corporate partners is also welcome.
• Thorough knowledge of IT systems, database management and Salesforce.
• Experience working in an international organization and/or in international development within a complex stakeholder environment.
• Knowledge of MENA philanthropic networks and organizations, particularly in the Gulf region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar) is strongly preferred
• Self motivated, target driven and aptitude to work with flexibility and autonomy both individually and as part of a multi-stakeholder team.
• Comfort with and/or experience of operating in a lean, start-up and remote environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic, enabling clear and concise information delivery to stakeholders at all levels.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Rewarding work in a dynamic non-profit environment
• A collaborative workplace within a multicultural team
• An agile and flexible environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Type of contract: Permanent contract
• Location:
• Working rate: 100%
• Deadline for application: 17.11.2025

This is a rolling process; applications will be revised as they arrive. Final deadline for application is 17.11.2025

The WHO Foundation puts equity at the center of all its work and is committed to building, fostering, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employment and advancement opportunities are based upon individual qualifications, regardless of gender, color, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, nationality, cultural & religious background, beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and marital status. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.