Brief for the position of Director of Development May 2017
Contents Letter from Executive Director 3 About ODI 4 Strategy & Purpose 8 The Role 9 Person Specification 10 How to Apply 11
CANDIDATE BRIEF | ODI
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Letter from Executive Director Dear Candidate, Thank you for your interest in this exciting new role at ODI. It is a great time to join the Institute as we embark on our new three-year strategy aimed at increasing the influence and impact of our worldclass research. Founded 57 years ago, ODI is a leading global think tank, delivering research and practical policy advice to create a more progressive, prosperous world. Our combination of research, high-level convening and communications ensures that we have impact as we focus on some of the most pressing issues of our times, like migration, humanitarian crises and financial inclusion. I joined ODI as its new Executive Director in January 2017 with a mission to take the Institute to its next level of impact. This role will be critical to our success. The Institute already generates income
of ÂŁ40 million a year; your goal will be to add to this, helping us diversify our income to be more flexible and adaptable to the global research priorities which we are pursuing. You will help develop and set a fundraising strategy for the organisation and invigorate our donor stewardship practises, as well as be an ambassador for ODI, inspiring new supporters with our work. We are looking for someone who can think strategically about new sources of income but also who has a great track-record in acquiring new supporters. Finding the right person is a key priority for me, and I am very much looking forward to working with the successful candidate in what will be a hugely rewarding new role. Alex Thier Executive Director, ODI
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CANDIDATE BRIEF | ODI
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About ODI Founded in 1960, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) is one of the world’s leading on improving the lives of the world’s poorest people.
We are successful at this because:
Our expertise
• We are global: We work internationally connecting our research with institutions, governments and policy-makers who can make a difference.
We have an exceptional range of expertise. Our 130
• We turn ideas into action: As well as generating innovative policy ideas, we work with governments and others to implement them. • We are trusted: experience of the developing world. • We are independent: research-driven, applying evidence to determine appropriate policy solutions.
and governance, agriculture, climate, environment and humanitarian policy. , knowledge of the latest tools and methodologies, and a passion for improving life for the world’s poorest. o diverse skills We work in a cross-disciplinary way:; Our base means we can quickly assemble the best team to address the problem at hand.
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ODI connects the global North and South Our Services We host compelling conferences and seminars at our London HQ, and across the world.
client demands.
tanks, governments and We work in partnership with think thanks, NGOs, taking our ideas directly to those best placed to act on them.
Research: We undertake both bespoke, focussed studies and major multi-year projects, combining research, knowledge-
We are agenda-setting: we are rooted in the reality of the developing world, working on challenges of today not yesterday.
Strategic advice: We provide advice to the world’s most important institutions and global policy processes, and direct support to developing country governments, including fragile states.
We communicate our work: our experts feature regularly in the media; we have award winning social media channels and
Training and capacity building: courses, communicating the latest guidelines and best practice. Evaluation: Our independence and expertise enables us to evaluate existing development programmes and generate ideas for future improvements.
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Our impact – a track-record of catalysing change Strengthening government capacity
Leadership
Since 1964, we have sent a thousand young economists to more than 40 countries through our prestigious ODI Fellowship Programme to improve government capacity.
ODI is an expert leader on many key development issues and has proudly been at the forefront of major international policy debates; from trade reform and structural in the 1990s to tracking MDG progress through 2000s and the establishment of the SDGs in 2015.
Making a difference to people’s lives
Deepening understanding on how to help people in crisis situations has led to the widespread adoption of cash transfers and vouchers as an effective way to support the most vulnerable.
Our monitoring shows that ODI’s accessible, reliable and nuanced research is used extensively by everyone from students and civil society to ministers and CEOs to strengthen and deepen understanding of contemporary development matters.
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What do we work on? We work on the following research themes: Poverty and Inequality: research includes social protection, women and girls’ progress and harnessing the data revolution for the poorest. Governance, Security and Livelihoods: basic services reform; decentralisation and locally led development; politics of aid; migration. Humanitarian Programmes: and analysis the global shift in humanitarian policy and action towards rising donors, local and non-traditional actors, reforming the international system, and supporting the
Finance and Economic Development: private sector development; global trade policy and rules; transformational growth; budget strengthening in fragile states; international future. Sustainable resource management and climate change: land and water use policy; biofuels; green growth; urbanisation; resilience to climate change and disasters; . Research-based evidence in Policy Making: ensuring the use of evidence and local knowledge in making policy; capacity policy impact.
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Strategy & Purpose As one of the world’s leading think tanks on development, ODI informs and influences the policies, practices and public debates that shape the future. In an increasingly complex world, there is a premium on evidence-based research that offers practical solutions to real problems. ODI’s purpose is to develop partnerships, generate the research, identify the problems and formulate ideas that can make a difference. In the 2014 – 2017 institutional strategy, we have focused on five strategic areas. • Eradicating absolute poverty and equalising opportunity • Promoting effective action on climate change and managing resources sustainably • Protecting people threatened by conflict, disasters and insecurity • Building accountable and inclusive institutions • Increasing productivity and creating jobs through transformative growth We influence policy through a number of routes (1) in-country research and direct working with developing country governments (2) advising donors – including new and emerging donors on the most effective ways of directing aid (3) directly influencing global policy processes with our research work (4) impactful communications – convening, media, digital– to make sure our work reaches as wide an audience as possible.
Impact Our successes go from local to global. At country-level, our work has contributed to the widespread adoption of cash transfers in emergencies – now a key tool to support families in distress; in Ethiopia, we have helped the government build an effective, targeted policy to combat the early marriage of girls; in Indonesia, we have been working with research institutes and the government to strengthen the use of evidence in policy-making; in the UK, we have been influential in championing the needs of developing nations, post-Brexit. At a global level, we have worked with the UN on the reform of the humanitarian system to help those most in need more effectively, whilst we are also pushing for the fast implementation at country-level of the UN’s new global Sustainable Development Goals. Through a combination of innovative research, global communications and influencing, we have been pressing governments to tackle fossil fuels subsidies to avert harmful climate change.
Next steps As ODI refines its next three year strategy, we are looking to increase our impact by building diverse partnerships: we want to increase our engagement with the private sector and expand our work in the US, Europe and key emerging economies, as well as increase our thought-leadership in critical areas of public policy research. Our researchers are reaching beyond the international development sector - to influence foreign affairs and defence thinking. We will continue to expand the range of our work - to tackle global issues, such as migration, urbanisation and action on climate change, stressing the inter-connected nature of the challenges ahead.
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The Role Purpose of Job
Income generation
To develop and lead the implementation of an innovative fundraising strategy to diversify ODI’s funding streams and to proactively increase ODI’s flexible funding. To drive the identification and engagement of new revenue sources and be responsible for relationships with current donors, including the management and stewardship of major gifts and any membership schemes as relevant.
• Lead on developing processes, procedures and systems as necessary to underpin the fundraising function.
Main Duties and Responsibilities Key Responsibilities Strategy and leadership • To develop and lead the implementation of an initial 3-year fundraising strategy to significantly increase flexible and unrestricted funding by 2020. This strategy will aim to accelerate flexible income growth across a diverse range of income streams, including major gifts from individuals, trusts and foundations and corporates. • Ensure the strategy remains relevant and agile as ODI and the external environment changes. • Develop a detailed plan of activities to deliver the strategy against agreed targets and outcomes. • Collaborate closely with the Executive Director to develop an ambitious framework of key performance goals, which will provide the basis for fundraising performance management throughout the strategy. • Work with Heads of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development managers to facilitate a collaborative internal process of identifying independent funding streams and influence funder priorities. • Identify opportunities for fundraising growth through benchmarking, horizon scanning, collaboration with other organisations and sharing insights derived from analysis of the charity and commercial sectors. • Recruit, induct, performance manage, develop, and support directly managed staff in line with ODI’s management expectations.
• Manage donor relationships, acting as an ambassador for ODI’s mission and strategic priorities, and implementing rigorous stewardship practices. • Invigorate and standardise ODI’s donor journey – inspiring efficient, mission-congruent cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgment and stewardship practices. • Lead on fundraising events, working in partnership with Communications & Public Affairs to plan and deliver against an agreed set of event measures of success. • Serve as an ambassador for ODI at various networking events including donor acquisition, cultivation and stewardship events. • Energise the Board of Trustees to leverage their experience and connections to support ODI’s fundraising operations, including potentially supporting the recruitment of a new board member if necessary. Cross organisational working • Lead an inter-departmental collaboration to restructure ODI’s fundraising messaging, creating broader giving themes that encourage flexible funding. This includes simplifying, refocusing and repackaging ODI’s Case for Support, Case for Need and Impact Statements to appeal to a variety of funding audiences. • Facilitation of a central fundraising working group bringing together cluster Heads of Strategic Partnership and Business Development Managers to build on examples of, and further embed a culture of effective fundraising across the organisation. • Contribute to, refine and/or approve major, strategically important, unrestricted and cross-organisational funding applications in partnership with the Director of Communications and other colleagues as appropriate, as part of the larger fundraising strategy. • Work with the finance team to create realistic central and themed budget forecasts to support the fundraising process, monitoring income against these forecasts, manage commercial proposals and focus fundraising on any emerging gaps. • Prepare reports and deliver presentations on ODI’s fundraising progress to the senior leadership team and Board of Trustees. • Undertake other duties within the scope of their post as may be requested by the line manger.
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Person Specification Key Experience and Understanding
Key Skills
• Significant experience of major-gift fundraising from individuals, foundations and corporates.
• Ability to think strategically and plan ahead, whilst also being flexible and reacting swiftly to changing needs and demanding situations.
• Comprehensive understanding of fundraising, encompassing the management of donor databases, prospect research, stewardship, and tactful solicitations. • Proven track record of successful solicitation of six- and sevenfigure gifts (from HWNIs, foundations and/or corporates). • Successful track record of establishing financial goals, organising and implementing strategies, analysing and identifying problems and formulating creative solutions. • First-class client relationship building and relationship management experience and excellent networking skills. • Outstanding communication skills, including strong public speaking and writing skills, able to communicate ODI’s mission and value-add to variety of diverse audiences. • Excellent internal relationship management skills, with the ability to motivate colleagues and instigate change through fundraising data and supporter insight. • Experience of management, either direct or matrix. • Excellent organisation skills, with the ability to plan and organise a high workload within competing priorities and restraints.
• Budget management and quantitative analysis skills. • Digitally savvy across a variety of tech platforms and tools, including social media. • Logical and analytical approach to problem solving and attention to detail. • Strong operational and project management skills. • Ability to show tact and discretion when dealing with sensitive and confidential information. • Desirable: Understanding of the think tank and policy space.
Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Other • A willingness to work variable hours, with occasional weekend and evening work. • A willingness to undertake regular international travel.
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How to Apply To apply for this position, please upload a comprehensive CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages of A4 on our website. Please ensure that your application fully addresses the appointment criteria in the person specification.
Timetable
You should give the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees, one of whom should be your current/most recent employer. References will only be taken once your express permission has been granted.
Site visit at ODI: 31st July/1st August 2017
We ask that you complete the equal opportunities information online when you submit your application via our website. The information collected will be treated as confidential, used for statistical purposes only, and will not be treated as part of your application. We would also be grateful if you could let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview. Finally please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers, as well as any dates when you will not be available or might have difficulty with the indicative timetable. Applications should be made via the Prospectus website at: http://www.prospect-us.co.uk/executive/job/HQ00169975 Applications can also be posted to: Sarah Hill Prospectus, 20-22 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LR
Closing date: Thursday 13th July 2017 Initial interviews with Prospectus: 17-27th July 2017 Panel interviews: w/c 7th August 2017 These dates may be subject to change and applicants will be advised in advance should this happen.
Recruitment Process Should you decide to make a formal application, you will receive feedback within seven working days of the closing date. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undertake an additional assessment prior to the final interview. The successful appointment is subject to a satisfactory criminal records disclosure and written references.
Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or would like to have an informal discussion, please contact Anna Gardet or Sam Taylor on 020 7691 1920 or via email at anna.gardet@prospect-us.co.uk or sam.taylor@prospect-us.co.uk
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