IFFEd: Senior Fundraiser (m/f) - Geneva

The International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd) is pioneering innovative finance solutions to transform education outcomes in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). By leveraging sovereign guarantees, paid-in capital, and grants, IFFEd mobilizes substantial resources to fund critical education projects that strengthen systems and improve learning outcomes for millions of children and young people.

Description

This role reports to the CEO of IFFEd.

IFFEd seeks an exceptional Senior Fundraiser to lead our resource mobilization efforts with sovereign governments and philanthropic partners, alongside IFFEd's CEO. This senior leadership role requires a strategic thinker with deep experience in securing large-scale financial commitments from governments, navigating complex sovereign decision-making processes, and structuring innovative financing arrangements. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will be instrumental in expanding IFFEd's funding base, building strategic partnerships with donors and partner governments, and ensuring IFFEd has the resources to deliver transformational education outcomes across LMICs.

Business Development and Resource Mobilization:

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive resource mobilization strategy targeting sovereign governments for guarantees, paid-in capital, and grant commitments
• Engage with the borrowing authorities to help identify education financing needs and generate demand for MDB lending supported by IFFEd in close collaboration with MDB partners and IFFEd technical leadership
• Secure major financial commitments (guarantees, capital contributions, grants) from sovereign governments, with defined targets in the hundreds of millions
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with philanthropic foundations and other non-sovereign partners to mobilize grant and risk capital contributions
• Position IFFEd as a credible platform for philanthropic engagement in education finance innovation
• Design, in collaboration with multilateral financial institutions, compelling value propositions tailored to different government stakeholders, demonstrating IFFEd's impact and alignment with national development priorities
• Represent IFFEd at high-level meetings with finance ministries, development ministries, foreign affairs departments, and other relevant government entities
• Co-ordinate with and leverage IFFEd's existing donor and MDB partners to deepen IFFEd's donor mobilization efforts.

Strategic Partnership Development

• Understand sovereign priorities, political contexts, and decision-making processes to position IFFEd effectively
• Work collaboratively with borrowing governments to originate and structure education-sector opportunities consistent with their needs and IFFEd's mandate
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with donor governments interested in education financing innovation
• Position IFFEd within a broader set of global processes and platforms, e.g. G7/G20/OECD donor network/Global Program for Education (GPE)
• Structure partnership arrangements that meet both IFFEd's needs, borrowing government expectations and donor requirements
• Build strong relationships with key decision-makers, technical advisors, and influencers within target governments.

Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as a key member of IFFEd's Senior Management Team, contributing to organizational strategy and direction
• Provide strategic guidance on funding models, partnership structures, and market positioning
• Collaborate with program teams to ensure fundraising strategies align with project pipeline and impact objectives
• Monitor trends in development finance, innovative financing, and education sector funding
• Represent IFFEd at international forums, conferences, and stakeholder convenings.

Profile

Required Qualifications

• 12-15 years of progressive experience in resource mobilization, business development, or partnerships, with proven success securing major financial commitments.
• Strong knowledge of education sector challenges and opportunities in LMICs.
• Demonstrated ability to secure significant commitments from sovereign governments, multilateral institutions, or similar funders.
• Deep understanding of multilateral finance institutions and sovereign decision-making, including engagement with ministries of finance, development, and foreign affairs.
• Experience structuring complex financial arrangements (e.g., guarantees, concessional or blended finance).
• Proven engagement with philanthropic stakeholders in international or non-profit contexts.
• Solid grasp of international development finance priorities in education or social sectors.
• Experience in high-level forums (G7, G20) and global policy processes.
• Ability to navigate complex political and bureaucratic environments.
• Background working with multilateral organizations, development finance institutions, or international NGOs.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with senior government officials and institutional stakeholders.
• Master's degree in international development, public policy, finance, economics, or related field.

Highly Desirable

• Direct experience with innovative finance mechanisms (guarantees, bonds, blended finance).
• Experience with international organizations or development agencies.
• Track record of team leadership and management.
• MBA, MPA, or equivalent professional qualification.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Vision: Ability to identify opportunities and position IFFEd effectively.
• Relationship Management: Build trust with senior officials across diverse contexts.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong instincts to identify and close complex deals.
• Negotiation Skills: Structure and negotiate sophisticated financial arrangements.
• Political Sensitivity: Navigate government decision-making and political economy.
• Communication Excellence: Translate complex finance concepts for varied audiences.
• Results Orientation: Proven ability to meet ambitious targets.
• Collaboration: Work effectively across teams and stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurship: Thrive in a lean, early-stage organization.
• Adaptability: Operate effectively in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• People Leadership: Lead and mentor high-performing teams.

Languages:

Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic is highly desirable given the geographic focus of IFFEd's work.

Job Offer

• Opportunity to be part of a pioneering initiative addressing one of the world's most critical development challenges
• Senior leadership role with significant autonomy and strategic influence
• Membership in a collaborative, high-performing management team
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience
• Geneva-based position with travel opportunities
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• This position requires international travel (approximately 30-40% of time) to meet with government stakeholders, attend global forums, and engage with partners.