Senior Specialist Philanthropy - WWF International 2 YEARS FIXED TERM AT 60%

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature. With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability.

Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.

What We Do

We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle.

Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live.

Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.

1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

Support, inspire and drive the WWF network to increase public and private resources for WWF’s conservation strategy and mission. Help WWF offices to mobilise resources for global conservation priorities through strategic public sector partnerships and philanthropy, including working collaboratively with the WWF Network to encourage and facilitate cross-border efforts. Support the sustainable growth of WWF offices by providing strategic support and capacity building to offices and regions and by sharing learning and best practices across the fundraising, resource mobilisation and public sector partnership communities of practice. Raise funds from philanthropic partners in support of WWF’s global conservation strategy and operations.

2 Major Functions

The role requires to work with the Director, Philanthropy, the Relationship Managers, and the team in planning and implementing all fundraising and development initiatives targeting major donors to raise flexible funding for the Secretariat and WWF’s global priority conservation work. In collaboration with the Philanthropy Director, manage a portfolio of major donors to generate significant gifts towards the annual income targets and other priority initiatives for WWF as defined in the strategic plan. The job holder also works with the Director, Philanthropy and the Relationship Managers on income growth and donor base expansion by supporting them to define and develop necessary tools to engage with new prospects and develop the relationships into major donors.

3 Major Duties And Responsibilities

This position operates within a job‑sharing arrangement comprising two postholders (0.6 FTE and 0.4 FTE respectively). Within the scope of this role, both postholders will carry the same level of responsibilities and will report directly to the Director, Philanthropy. Neither postholder has line‑management responsibility over the other. The effective delivery of this role requires close cooperation, regular coordination and consistent communication between the two postholders.

In collaboration with the Director, Philanthropy, co-manages a portfolio of major donors and foundations in order to generate and maintain major gifts for WWF’s global work and specific conservation projects;

• Co-lead on the stewardship of a portfolio of major donors and foundations by identifying and strategically positioning key conservation news and successes to share with our high profile donors, when appropriate, to keep them effectively engaged in WWF’s conservation work;
• Co-lead on the preparation of donor reports with the contribution from conservation teams and Business Partner, Finance Unit, share reports with donors, as relevant, contribute to the development of renewal strategies for gifts that come to an end, prepare and send thank you and acknowledgement letters to donors, as appropriate;
• Responsible for managing those gifts/grants by reviewing external and internal contracts, coordinating the approval process with Business Partner, Finance Unit and sending funds to the field in collaboration with the Business Partner, Finance Unit.
  
  

Role

In collaboration with the Director, Philanthropy and Relationship Managers, the role will lead on the planning and timely implementation of all grant management processes and development of products, including:

• Lead on the quality and timely reporting of grants managed, working with the Relationship Manager, Fundraising Communication Manager, Business Partner, Finance Unit, and the field implementing offices - as needed. Guide and advice WWF implementing offices to strategically position conservation impact and results to best engage and meet donors’ expectations and in line with our programmatic priorities;
• Track all products that need to be developed as part of their grants management portfolio;
• Lead on timely development of quality concepts and highly customised, compelling funding proposals to renew grants, scale up existing partnerships or develop new ones. Advice and guide WWF implementing offices on the strategic positioning of programmatic goals, objectives and results to effectively engage donors;
• Coordinate with the field implementation offices to prepare clear answers to donors’ questions, reviewing and editing them as necessary and finalising compelling documents for donors;
• Develop presentations or other communication material to illustrate project progress for donor meetings, as relevant;
• Manage and support, as relevant, the external contracting processes and coordinate with the Business Partner, Finance Unit, as needed;
• Manage and coordinate the internal contracting process with the Business Partner, Finance Unit;
• The Philanthropy advisor will also actively contribute to strategic discussions of the broader Fundraising team on engaging new prospects and donors from a programmatic perspective and in relation to existing and new WWF priorities and initiatives.
  
  

4 PROFILE

Required Qualifications.

• Minimum undergraduate university degree; preferably in sciences, communication or public relations;
• At least four years’ experience in grant management, communication or relationship management in the field of major donor or foundations fundraising;
• Comprehensive knowledge of major gift fundraising requirements, processes and products.
  
  

Required Skills And Competencies.

• Strong interpersonal and communicating skills in a multicultural environment;
• Excellent writing skills in French and English;
• Thoroughness and attention to detail;
• Good knowledge of and passionate about environmental issues and conservation;
• High ethical standards of behaviour, good judgement, respect for others, confidentiality;
• Energetic, proactive and capable of working independently as well as being an active member of the team;
• Flexible and creative with an aptitude for solving problems; positive attitude;
• Reliable, multitasking, working well on parallel and tight deadlines;
• Diplomatic skills with sensitivity to political issues and good negotiation skills;
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.
  
  

5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal.

Interacts regularly with Conservation Programmes, Relationship Managers, Fundraising Communication Manager, Business Partner, Finance Unit, Legal, Management staff of WWF International and the WWF network.

External.

Interacts with existing major donors, planned gift contributors and their advisors.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.

Deadline for applications: 26 April 2026

Work permit restrictions may apply

2 YEARS FIXED TERM AT 60%

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earths natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

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