Private Sector Development Specialist

SCOPE OF POSITION

To accomplish its strategy for a water secure world, GWP envisions to shape new ways to engage with and mobilize donors and partners across governments, private sector (including foundations). In this context, GWP is looking for an innovative and passionate partnerships and fundraising specialist, determined to make a difference.

The Private Sector Development Specialist (PSDS) will work as part of the Global Development unit, and creatively contribute to identify, create, and maintain an extensive network of contacts in key sectors relevant to GWPs mission. The PSDS will be responsible for developing and managing activities to promote the engagement of private sector across all relevant GWP programmes. To do so, the position will identify and develop a portfolio of attractive funding opportunities in line with GWP’s 2020-2025 Strategy, its institutional mandate and implementation capacity.

Our ideal candidate is someone that has the appreciation and insight about the role of both public and private sectors donors in delivering a sustainable transformation and innovative approaches to water management, governance, and investment. Someone that is familiar with the private sector contributions to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate agreement and other global policy frameworks. The candidate should be interested in and passionate about mobilizing others and building partnerships for impact.

Specific Duties

• Contribute to the Global Development Unit to raise funds, create opportunities for impact investment, and build partnerships with new and existing donors with a special focus on the private sector, investors, and foundations.
• Build the case for, and position GWP as the premier private sector partner for sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and impact investment in water, and as the top vehicle for businesses to meet their social, environmental, and governance targets related to climate and water.
• Liaise and coordinate with development partners and private sector financiers on co-financing for collaborations between the public and private sectors.
• Coordinates on partnerships with the private sector and foundations.
• Support the Global Development Unit to guide GWP thematic leads in the secretariat and in the regions to develop a portfolio of proposals and pitch ideas in a way that is salient to the private sector.
• Develop a high probability fundraising pipeline for new and emerging private sector donors and partners and drive the pipeline.
• ‘Support the Global Development unit to strategically position ’GWP with large and active foundations and private sector entities engaged/or have the potential to engage in GWP programmes.
• Identifies partnership opportunities, gathers information, and analyzes potential for cooperation; follows up closely on the development of relationships with the identified partners.
• Maintain information for tracking private sector and foundations globally.
• Organize high-level events and other activities for GWP to engage with the private sector and other non-traditional donors (as part of the Global Engagement Plan)

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Technical

• Master’s degree in law, social sciences, communications and PR, international development; international relations, sustainability, and/or corporate responsibility and business administration field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working with sustainability, partnerships, and fundraising in international development, with strong preference on climate, environmental or water issues.
• Documented access and ability to leverage an existing global network of key public and private potential partners and donors.
• Experience in delivering fundraising programmes across multiple countries with demonstrable insights into global opportunities and challenges.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated competence in engagement and communication
• Experience and proven track record in private sector fundraising (within the last 3 years) with a comprehensive understanding of all main private sector fundraising techniques.
• Experience of having worked in or with multi-cultural and international settings.
• Strong ability to describe technical, policy or programmatic issues in a business oriented and intuitively understandable way.
• Fluency in written and spoken English a must, knowledge of French and/or Spanish and/or other UN languages an advantage.

Non-technical 

• Professionalism: Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity. Demonstrates corporate knowledge, self-development, and initiative-taking. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and international environment based on mutual respect and tolerance. Ability to exercise good judgement, discretion, and tact in handling sensitive issues. 
• Planning and Organizing: Excellent organizational and task management skills, with appropriate attention to details and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands, and under tight deadlines.  Ability to manage multiple workflows at the same time. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment where adaptability is essential.
• E-literacy: Excellent e-skills, including the ability to use modern office technology and related software.
• Teamwork: Support colleagues, contribute to team culture, and share responsibility for decision-making and results. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility.   Ability to “lead from behind” and work without direct authority to deliver timely and high-quality products.  
• Personal: A good sense of humor.  Love for nature, its beauty and its resources.  Willingness to 'get the job' done with a positive attitude to take on a wide range of tasks. Availability for longer travel to attend international meetings.
• Actively contribute to building a learning culture by modeling good learning practices and supporting others in doing so

PLEASE NOTE

• Applications must be submitted in English only and only via the online application system
• Email applications will not be accepted
• Maximum 4-page CV and 1-page cover letter (required)describing how your experience, qualifications and competencies match this position.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.
• Questions can be directed to hr@gwp.org.
• Professionals with a background from and/or living and working in Asian, African, Eastern European, Latin American, or Middle Eastern countries are encouraged to apply.
• GWP offers competitive remuneration, good benefit package as well as an attractive work environment, with flat hierarchies, and with great opportunities for professional exposure and growth.