Specialist – Innovative Fundraising and Business Development
 
INASP
 
The International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP) is a highly experienced capacity development organisation. Based in Oxford, UK, we work with a global network of partners to strengthen research and knowledge systems for development. We have almost 30 years’ experience of working with universities, research institutes, national science academies, think tanks, civil society organisations, government agencies and parliaments, across Africa, Asia and Latin America.  
 
Since our inception in 1992, INASP has designed and delivered hundreds of effective interventions to strengthen capacity and make knowledge systems more equitable in over 25 countries.  We focus on research capacity and communications, especially for early career researchers, teaching and learning in higher education, and gender equity, all focused-on research and knowledge systems in the Global South. 
 
The Opportunity
 
The funding landscape for international development, and especially for knowledge-focused organisations is changing fast. Donors are keen to invest in knowledge and knowledge capacities for specific products, services or sectors – such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, youth employment, or to respond to Covid-19. By directing more of their funding to the Global South they are helping to drive the much-need localisation of development work, supporting governments, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to work together to harness the latest evidence, generate new knowledge, and to drive innovation in policy and practice. Both established and new donors, including private sector investors and philanthropists, are using new models of funding to do this, from impact investment to social enterprise to concessional financing. In parallel, investments by global and local technology firms are helping to make digital infrastructure more accessible and affordable, and opening up new opportunities for Southern organisations to develop, access and use digital platforms, tools and services to meet their learning and knowledge needs. With an increasingly global board, a network of experienced advisers, trusted partners, and team of expert staff and associates, we are well positioned to respond to and support these shifts.
 
The Role
 
INASP has a strong track record of securing funding for project work from a variety of bilateral and multilateral donors. We have a well-developed strategy and approaches and a business development team with capacity to engage with 'traditional' development funders, including bilateral and multilateral donors and foundations. For this transformative one-year role we are looking for an entrepreneurial, innovative fundraiser with proven experience of bringing in new business, especially within small and medium-sized organisations, to help us to diversify both our range of funders and the type of funding we access.
 
Key responsibilities include:
 
- To explore new and innovative areas of potential funding and investment
- To engage with potential funders and develop new partnerships; especially those which expand our market reach and help us move towards our goals of being more Southern-led and rooted.
- To connect with existing and new partners to develop competitive collaborative bids.
- To work closely with the Business Development and Programme Teams to embed promising new approaches and partnerships across all of our Business and Programme development processes.
 
We are looking for candidates who have:
 
- An undergraduate degree and substantial experience supporting business development in an international development context
- A solid understanding and substantial experience in the international development sector and funding environment, particularly from and for the global south.
- Experience of working within a small or medium sized organisation with a proven track record of raising funds for digitally delivered work (communities and platforms, technology-enhanced learning) from a range of donors and sources, with good networks in the global south.
- Knowledge and experience of new and innovative funding mechanisms such as impact investing or other social investment opportunities 
- Commercial acumen and skills to pitch opportunities to funder and investors at appropriate levels for the best chance of success, while still commercially viable INASP
- Flexibility, an ability to deal with uncertainty and to develop new ideas and implement them, working as part of a team to drive new business forwards
- Demonstrable commitment to INASP’s values: In it together; Making change last; Every voice counts; Doing things right and work as part of a team to drive new business forwards.
 
Terms
 
Salary:  £34,500 - £40,000 or equivalent local package (depending on experience and location)
 
Term: One-year fixed term
 
Location: Flexible. Able to work from home providing a good internet connection.
 
How to apply:
 
To apply, please select the apply button shown.
 
You will need to submit:
 
1. A full CV
2. A personal statement of no more than 2 sides of A4 outlining how you meet the essential and/or desirable criteria in the job description and what you would bring to the role
 
We will accept applications and interview on a rolling basis from the 10th January 2022
 
Successful candidates selected for interview will be notified and sent interview details including advance preparation requirement.
 
Please note we reserve the right to close applications early if a large number of applications are received.
 
We will not accept applications through agencies.
 
This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.