Programme Funding Portfolio Development Specialist, WCA

Team and Role Purpose

To provide strategic leadership and direction on all Programme Funding matters across Save the Children. Optimise and align our local-to-global programme funding portfolio and drive continuous improvements in our capabilities, funding practices and donor partnerships. Blend art and science to turn insights into action. Collaborate extensively across the movement, and partner closely with key stakeholders, both within and beyond StC, to directly inform, shape, and connect key strategic programme funding trends and initiatives that advance the movement's Global Strategy and Global Funding Framework ambitions.

Role purpose

To provide portfolio development support and guidance that, through collaboration with Country Offices and Members, helps shape and strengthen Country Strategy-aligned Programme Funding. This globally available, WCA-focused Portfolio Development Specialist role supports the growth, diversification and strategic alignment of programme funding portfolios across multiple countries and markets. It does this through portfolio optimisation, market and donor analysis, strategic planning, and the identification of funding opportunities, risks and priorities that require cross-country coordination and insight. By actively collaborating with Implementing Country Offices, Members, Regional Hubs and global colleagues, the role promotes a systematic, high-quality and consistent approach to programme funding and donor partnerships, translating market intelligence into actionable guidance and supporting stronger portfolio performance across the region. Through this work, the role contributes to the achievement of Save the Children's local-to-global strategic objectives.

Principal Accountabilities

• Support the strategic development and optimisation of country and regional programme funding portfolios, including country donor relations, partner development, opportunity identification, capture planning and prepositioning, and provide guidance on programme funding governance, donor accountabilities and organisational processes that help Country Offices secure priority, flagship funding opportunities aligned with their Country-specific priorities and the global objectives of Save the Children International.
• Provide strategic guidance and advisory support to country Implementing offices on the preparation and submission of high-quality, competitive funding proposals; this includes by exception, supporting and where strategically required, leading cross-functional proposal development and bid writing, including coordination and support for multi-country and regional funding opportunities where cross-country alignment is required.
• Where appropriate, help country/implementing offices foster and maintain relationships with key Members, donors and partners, ensuring that communication and interaction are consistent with Save the Children's values of integrity and collaboration and supporting alignment with broader regional and global funding priorities.
• Monitor and analyse emerging funding trends, donor priorities and market opportunities, offering strategic recommendations to country offices and/or the wider BD and programme funding community to adapt and respond effectively as may be appropriate.
• Where appropriate, support country offices in the development of stakeholder engagement plans, donor engagement priorities and country funding strategies, providing portfolio analysis and market intelligence to enhance Save the Children's visibility, positioning and partnership strength in diverse contexts (NB this may include supporting alignment across country, regional and member-level engagement efforts where coordinated donor positioning is required.)
• Actively report on any key issues or risks related to country funding gaps, business development capacity, portfolio performance, emerging market risks, or other factors that may risk the programme funding sustainability of Country Offices in the region.
• Ensure compliance with all Programme Funding requirements and organisational policies, including those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to uphold Save the Children's commitment to integrity and accountability
• Identify and promote opportunities for cross-country collaboration, portfolio optimisation and shared learning, helping to strengthen the quality, coherence and sustainability of programme funding across the region.

Experience and Skills

Essential Experience

• Proven abilities in designing and implementing successful business development strategies at scale in humanitarian and/or development sector within and/or across the region; with substantial experience in securing programme funding and building donor partnerships which align with organisational funding goals and programme impact objectives.
• Substantial experience in preparing and managing high-quality, competitive funding proposals at scale, leading cross-functional teams to develop complex and successful bids to institutional and/or private sector donors relevant to the region – which may include donors such as USAID, EU, SIDA, WFP, UNICEF, and/or the World Bank.
• Extensive experience working in multi-cultural environments and liaising with diverse stakeholders including donors, partners, and government entities.
• Experience in implementing successful stakeholder engagement plans to enhance visibility and build partnership in diverse contexts.

Desirable Experience

• Demonstrable experience in providing strategic oversight of key funding opportunities and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Experience in monitoring emerging funding trends and making strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work effectively across different cultural contexts.

Essential Skills

• Strategic Thinking: Strong analytical skills with the ability to think strategically and globally. Ability to set ambitious and challenging goals, while taking responsibility for personal and team development.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, members, external partners, and donors. Values diversity and collaboration as sources of strength.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to different audiences.
• Proposal Development: Expertise in guiding the preparation and submission of high-quality and competitive funding proposals, including strong writing, editing, and project management skills.
• Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of financial planning, budget management, and donor compliance requirements.
• Negotiation and Influencing: Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at different levels.

Desirable Skills

• Leadership: Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of accountability, ambition, creativity, and integrity.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to develop and encourage new and innovative solutions, while willing to take disciplined risks. Ability to assess the opportunities and risks a bid may present and build in appropriate mitigations.

Education and Qualifications

Education: Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience - in international development, business administration, economics, marketing, or a related field.

Multi-Language Proficiency: While English & French is essential, proficiency in other languages commonly used in SCI/A programme funding operations, such as Spanish or Arabic, is desirable. Other relevant languages would also be a distinct advantage.

CPD: Commitment to continuous professional development to stay updated with the latest trends in programme funding and business development.

Travel: Willingness and ability to travel to different country offices as required.

Desirable

• Professional certification or training in international development, programme management, programme funding/fundraising and relationships management.
• Accredited membership of relevant professional bodies is desirable

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found at SCI Careers. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

• Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
• Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
• Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
• If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-Harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.