Mercy Corps
Location: preference for Portland, OR. US remote candidates considered.
Position Status: Full-time, Exempt, Regular
Minimum Starting Salary: $64,000 commensurate with experience
**US work authorization required. Please submit a recent writing sample with your application.
About Mercy Corps**
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact
Department Summary
The mission of the Development Department is to advance the organization’s strategic goals and support our worldwide team by raising flexible funds, profile and influence. The RD team encompasses several dozen dynamic professionals who possess a wide range of skills. We are gift officers, direct response fundraisers, database managers, storytellers and teachers. Most of all, we are passionate about Mercy Corps’ mission and believe a better world is possible.
Mercy Corps’ High Impact Philanthropy (HIP) team is a crucial component of the Development Department. The team operates under the strategic leadership of the VP of High Impact Philanthropy and is comprised of two core units: 1.) those who work directly with donors (gift officers) and; 2.) those who maintain the systems and tools of successful major and planned gift donor engagement (HIP services). Working collaboratively, these two units develop and enhance relationships with donors and prospects from the private sector, focusing on individuals and family foundations with the capacity to make current gifts of $10K+ as well as deferred (planned giving) gifts of all levels. The HIP team is responsible for ambitious revenue growth goals.
General Position Summary
The Copywriter (HIP) will be a key part of a dynamic team responsible for managing individual donors whose philanthropy supports Mercy Corps’ global operations. The Copywriter will collaborate with frontline fundraisers on the High Impact Philanthropy team to produce a variety of unique and bespoke donor communications with the aim of acquiring, cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting high-net-worth individuals and legacy society members. This includes reports, letters, brochures, factsheets, presentation decks, trip and event invitations, talking points, and a variety of other written communications.
Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION
- Create and implement a creative content and communications strategy to support the HIP and Planned Giving team’s business objectives.
- Support execution of sub-strategies including Mercy Corps’ Women’s Philanthropy Group and Donor-advised fund strategies with communications and editorial expertise and support.
- Close collaboration with fundraisers to foster the growth and development of the HIP portfolio by partnering to create high-quality written materials.
- Lead on a variety of communication materials for internal audiences, including meeting briefs, bios, invitations, run-of-show, talking points, presentations etc.
- Lead on a variety of communication materials for external audiences, including invitations, reports, fact sheets, proposals, solicitation letters, stewardship pieces, presentations, executive communications etc.
- Ensure projects objectives are met and managed within established timelines and budget.
- Translate complex issues into compelling and accessible content.
- Manage the acknowledgement strategy for HIP donors.
- Work with executive offices, board members, regional program team, technical support unit, field team members and a variety of other departments as needed to support the HIP team engagement strategy.
- Serve as a source of editorial expertise for the HIP team.
- Regularly review communications for accuracy and effectiveness
- Serve as HIP representative in cross-departmental initiatives as assigned (emergency response, shared campaigns, cross-team projects etc.)
- Support the Director of HIP Services in proposal development and report review.
- Work with internal partners across the agency to develop ideas and bring projects to fruition.
- Stays up-to-date on Mercy Corps programs and stories to leverage in assignments.
Supervisory Responsibility
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director, High Impact Philanthropy Services Team
Works Directly With: HIP Team, Resource Development, Marketing and Communications, Regional Program Team, donors, executives, and board members.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
- College degree or equivalent in a related field.
- 4+ years’ experience writing/editing, preferably in a large, fast-paced fundraising operation.
- Exceptionally strong written communications skills and organizational skills are required.
- Extremely detail oriented.
- Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences on a broad range of topics.
- Ability to write in different voices/tones depending on the audience.
- Ability to translate complex technical ideas into donor-friendly communications.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Previous experience in an international field is preferred.
- A demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and adaptable, and to work both independently and as part of a team.
Success Factors
This position requires a skilled writer and editor who is also a versatile multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize urgent tasks, create and follow procedures, and meet deadlines. A strong commitment to teamwork and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles is also essential. The successful Copywriter (HIP) will have demonstrated initiative, flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving and a proven ability to learn quickly and be accountable for results. The ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details is important and a sense of humor and an awareness and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work will serve the position well. Strong project management skills and an interest in international development work and the ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and confidential materials are also important.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Portland, OR and may require infrequent (less than 5%) travel for events and/or trips to the field.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. Any offers of employment or continued employment are dependent on the successful completion of the screens which include, but are not limited to our Background Check and Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme processes,
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.