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Prospect Research Officer, Major Gifts

New York, New York, United States

About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

 

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. 
 
MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.  

Role Overview 

The Prospect Research Officer is responsible for helping drive quality leads and improve the impact of fundraising and engagement for High Touch Audiences of MSF-USA, while also looking for new, integrated ways to build and better engage our current audiences. The Prospect Research Officer conducts comprehensive research on current and prospective wealthy individuals primarily in the Major Gifts audience, with an awareness of Mid-Level, Planned Giving, and/or among Corporations and Foundations. Additionally, the role carries out due diligence on current donors or inquiries and shares findings with fundraisers, senior colleagues, the Grants unit, and/or other MSF sections for consideration on how to proceed with a gift/relationship, providing further context if required. This research and portfolio management requires a keen understanding of prospect research and philanthropic industry trends. 

 

Department Accountabilities  

Prospecting 

Pursue strategic opportunities in coherence with MSF-USA´s strategy, that create long-term value for the movement by identifying and developing new audience segments or donors for its mission. 

Donor Cultivation, Engagement and Management 

Build trust and loyalty with potential and existing donors. At the simplest level, update donors on activities. At a more complex level, build long-term relationships with key donors and key donor segments. Take overall responsibility for designing, developing, and delivering the donor engagement strategy. May be through channels or through personal relationships. 

Fundraising 

Secure reliable, sustainable and efficient resources in alignment with MSF-US commitments. 

Brand Positioning 

Drive awareness and consideration through brand positioning based on the brand strategy and implement brand plans. 

Best-in-Class Fundraising Systems and Capabilities 

Deploy and champion the latest technological systems and capabilities that push the boundaries of what Development can produce for its donors.  

 

Roles Specific Outcomes 

Donor Experience Research 

Complete research and analyze data to develop and/or support a sound understanding of donor segments, trends, needs, expectations. 

Insights and Reporting 

Prepare and coordinate the completion of various data and analytics reports. 

Benchmarking 

Conducts detailed data analysis, identifies trends and patterns, prepares reports, and collaborates with various departments for comprehensive data insights. 

Data Collection and Analysis 

Conduct research using primary data sources and select information needed for the analysis of key themes and trends. 

Information and Business Advice 

Resolve queries from internal or external donors or suppliers by providing information on complex processes and the related policies, referring to others where necessary for interpretation of policy. 

 

These core accountabilities should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job.  Incumbents are required to perform other functions as assigned. 

 

 

Complexity and Problem-Solving Skills 
  • Operates as a recognized expert to shift into and out of mental mindsets associated with assessing the facts and circumstances of the current situation and/or environment and making the appropriate/innovative adjustments to thinking and work habits to thrive in any scenario. Typically known as a subject matter expert. 
  • Applies expertise to act as an authority to find alignment between donor priorities and MSF’s programmatic needs. 
  • Applies expertise to accurately identify and understand the key donation influences pertaining to an opportunity. 
  • Applies expertise to act as an authority to orient MSF-USA around delivering to the key needs of their donors. 

 

Behavioral Competencies  

 

THOUGHT: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different. 

People Focus 

Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs. 

Manages Complexity 

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms. 

Global Perspective 

Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges. 

Cultivates Innovation 

Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them. 

 

RESULTS: MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs. 

 

Drives Results 

Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way. 

PEOPLE: MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals. 

Collaborates 

Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input. 

Values Differences 

Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating. 

Communicates Effectively 

Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing. 

 

SELF: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and by continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.  

Instills Trust 

Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions. 

Manages Ambiguity 

Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness. 

Situational Adaptability 

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately. 

 

Technical Competencies 

Plans and Aligns 

Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF-USA goals. 

Financial Acumen 

Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions. 

Tech Savvy 

Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications. 

Data Collection and Analysis 

The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.  

Project Management Skills 

The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time and quality parameters. 

Presentation and Written Communication Skills 

Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately. 

 

Supervisory Responsibility 

  • No supervisory responsibility. 

 

Desired Qualifications & Experience 

At a minimum the Job Holder should possess: 

  • Minimum three to five years of experience in prospect research and portfolio management in a nonprofit organization, making accountable recommendations with a strong focus on fundraising and marketing. 
  • Ability to work independently; move projects from conceptual stages to launch; and handle multiple and often competing deadlines. 
  • Leverage moves management best practices to actively provide council on audience engagement. 
  • A strategic fundraising mindset with a service-oriented approach. 
  • Ability to lead meetings, present findings and processes, and manage small- and large-scale projects.  
  • Demonstrable knowledge of quantitative and qualitative analysis and business intelligence work that supports revenue generation.  
  • Understanding of current trends in nonprofit fundraising and prospect management. 
  • Strong track-record of developing proactive prospecting methodologies that support organizational goals including data mining, sophisticated constituent database queries, etc. 
  • Familiarity with delivering research in a variety of templates (long profile, brief bios and due diligence reports) 

Preferred: 

  • Familiarity with industry guidelines and standards from the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA), prospect research toolkits and best practices, and ethics around prospect research. 
  • Familiarity with Salesforce. 

 

Travel Requirements  

Must be willing to travel for work as needed. 

Compensation 

$88,822 - $133,233 

 

MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws. We also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

 

If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.

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