Donor Engagement Officer II

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary

CRS’ Institutional Donor Engagement and Advancement (IDEA) department advances the agency’s strategic position by managing and stewarding institutional donor relationships and resources, supporting the growth of CRS’ business and influence, and building the capacity of staff across the spectrum of resource acquisition and management. Donor-focused units within the department provide relationship management, business development, project delivery and award management expertise; deep knowledge of donor priorities and business processes; and coordination of donor engagement strategies that integrate multiple points of contact across organizational functions.

The Donor Engagement Advisor, Officer II will be an integral member of a team focused on Non-United States Government (USG) public donors (e.g., UN Agencies, the European Union, development banks and other bi- and multi-lateral donor agencies and funds). This position will have responsibilities that encompass donor engagement, resource acquisition, award management and project delivery with a particular focus on cultivating and managing relationships with an assigned portfolio of non-USG multi- and bi-lateral donor relationships, which are anticipated to include UN agencies, World Bank and Australian government donors. Preferred candidate qualifications include demonstrated experience and familiarity with these bi- and multi-lateral non-USG institutional donors.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Identify, research, and prioritize Non-USG public funding sources, and drive the development of CRS’ competitive intelligence base about donor priorities and funding trends.
• Lead the development and implementation of strategic engagement and positioning plans for assigned donors, working closely with field staff and technical colleagues.
• In partnership with relevant field and HQ staff, support actions to shape donor understanding of CRS, including organizational visibility, senior-level representation, and opportunity creation.
• Identify and track new business opportunities. Maintain and support accurate business pipeline and performance data through CRS’ online system.
• Build direct relationships with appropriate donor representatives and relevant inter-agency networks, while supporting cultivation of complementary relationships among CRS staff.
• Represent CRS and work closely with Caritas partners to compete for funding from assigned donors.
• Provide business development expertise in positioning, capture planning, consortia formation, and proposal preparation for specific funding opportunities. As appropriate, serve as proposal coordinator, writer, budget lead or other lead role on the proposal team, through remote or in-person TDYs.
• Research, understand, interpret, and advise on donor regulations and requirements. As requested, review agreements, protocols, budgets and other complex donor documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with CRS policies and donor requirements.
• Analyze performance issues that may impact the relationship with the donor. Document and communicate lessons from ongoing grant performance to improve field and HQ management and operations and donor relationships.
• Develop, disseminate, and train colleagues to use tools and resources to support the pursuit of funding opportunities, high quality management of awards, and establishment of systems and processes to meet donor requirements.
• Provide project delivery and award management support and guidance for assigned portfolio of donors
• Actively participate and support Business Development and Award Management community learning and knowledge management through structured engagement and assignments.

Key Working Relationships

• Country Program teams (CPs)
• Regional teams
• IDEA staff
• Marcom staff
• Program Impact and Quality Assurance department staff
• Business development and program staff of collaborating organizations, including Caritas
• Select donor representatives

Work Conditions/Environment Conditions

• This position is based in Baltimore, Maryland. Telecommuting may be considered, provided the person is willing and able to travel to HQ and internationally.

Basic Qualifications (BQs)

Education and Experience –

• Undergraduate degree in international relations/development or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of international development experience
• Minimum of two years overseas professional experience.
• Familiarity of funding solicitation mechanisms, regulations and programming priorities of relevant institutional donors, in particular multi-lateral donors. Preferred candidate will have demonstrated experience and familiarity with multiple bi- and multi-lateral non-USG institutional donors, such as UN agencies, World Bank and Australian government donors.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail and capacity to translate complex concepts for external institutional donor and corporate audiences.
• Excellent relationship manager with strong interpersonal and communication skills, including in cross-cultural settings.
• Demonstrated personal accountability and drive to serve others, with an ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong interest in online knowledge management systems.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Required Languages –

• Excellent English oral and written language skills required.

Travel –

• Ability and willingness to travel to HQ, donor countries and/or low-resource environments in foreign countries as needed, up to 30% of job time.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) –

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) –

• Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees in a cooperative and friendly manner.
• Ability to gather, comprehend new information, distill it and then communicate it to others based on the audience.
  • Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
  • Customer service oriented; ability to cultivate new relationships and instill confidence.
  • Proactive and willing to take on additional responsibilities, challenge assumptions and elevate issues as needed.
  • Ability to influence without authority.
  • Ability to adapt approaches and plans based on evolving contexts and client needs.

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Experience and KSAs –

• Graduate degree in international relations/development or related field.
• Knowledge of CRS departments and their functions.
• Knowledge of CRS programs, and Catholic Social Teaching principles.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders in multiple geographic locations.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and experience in high-level negotiation and representation.
• French and/or Spanish proficiency.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

EOE/M/F/D/V – CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)