International Strategic Partnerships Lead

Position: International Strategic Partnerships Lead

Location: Any MSF Office*
Contract: Full-time, permanent contract
Starting Date: 1 November 2025

Deadline to apply: 24.08.2025

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of origins, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 27 associations and 18 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

MSF’s operational independence is enabled by our financial independence; 98 per cent of our funding comes from private sources, most of it donated by over 7 million individuals giving predominantly smaller amounts. In 2024, MSF had a private income of almost EUR 2.3 billion. Currently, there are 41 fundraising markets in MSF. In line with its governance, MSF’s fundraising structure is decentralised. A Global Private Fundraising Framework (GPS), collaboratively developed, provides strategic guidance to MSF sections/ offices. In 2023, the MSF movement has agreed on its current fundraising strategic framework for 2024-2030, the GPS 3.0. It defines the main strategic fundraising priorities, key enablers and an ambitious working target. The fundraising objectives and priorities are translated into local fundraising strategies that are owned and implemented by MSF’s fundraising sections/ offices.

To maintain good inter-entity coordination, strategy setting and timely decision-making on international issues, MSF works with international functional platforms. The International Fundraising Coordinator is the chair and a non-voting member of the fundraising platform, the DirFund, representing MSF’s fundraising community, as well as the chair of the full fundraising directors’ group, the Full DirFund. The DirFund is composed of 5 elected fundraising directors and leads the process of development and implementation of the GPS. The DirFund also ensures adherence to MSF’s fundraising principles and policies and collaborates very closely with the other functional platforms. The DirFund as well as the wider fundraising community (1,200 colleagues) are supported by a small yet growing International Fundraising Team at the International Office (FR-IO) which currently covers the following main areas of work: Coordination, Capacity Building, Fundraising Analysis, Digital Engagement, and Emergency Fundraising and Project Management – and now also International Strategic Partnerships.

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

The role leads on and helps to implement MSF’s strategic international partnership ambitions and initiatives, working with stakeholders across the MSF Movement, secondments and consultants as needed.

The International Strategic Partnerships Lead

• Reports to the International Fundraising Coordinator.

• Actively contributes to the implementation of the international multi-year fundraising strategic framework, GPS 3.0, with a focus on facilitating access to and robust management of global strategic partnerships and funding opportunities from international corporate partners as focus area, yet also foundations, major donors, and influencers and thought leaders.

• Collaborates closely with the relevant International Fundraising Communities of Practice (CoPs), the Heads of Philanthropy, the High Value Cross Initiative, International Finance, International Communications, relevant local fundraising teams, and other functional communities as needed (Legal, IT, Knowledge Management, etc.).

• Chairs the International Corporate Partnerships Committee (ICPC) and/ or any similar group following a thorough review of the current set-up and the ways of working.

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The International Partnerships Lead will

• Conduct and continuously refine MSF’s fundraising potential analysis related to global partnerships with major donors, corporates, foundations, influencers, and thought leaders and establish the relevant global fundraising strategy, in line with the GPS 3.0.

• Identify and address gaps in relationship and funding potentials, proposing an effective model and efficient ways of working that will allow MSF to access new global relationship and funding opportunities, and improve existing relationships.

• Ensure the necessary legal, procedural, project management, and operational frameworks are in place for proactive engagement with donors and supporters across all MSF fundraising offices.

• Facilitate smooth relationship management by MSF, led by local fundraising markets, through sound, proactive and service-oriented internal project and stakeholder management.

• Support decision-making processes through ensuring preparedness, clarity, and sound documentation of background materials (due diligence, etc.).

• Develop and implement – if assessed positively and mandated by the DirFund and the fundraising offices involved – global measures to engage international corporate partners as primary focus area, foundations, major donors, and influencers and thought leaders, such as events.

• Ensure alignment and consistent implementation of due diligence processes, in line with MSF’s ethics frameworks, commercial policies, and our procurement and fundraising policies and guidelines.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning and Assessing MSF’s Potential:

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for identifying, monitoring and bridging gaps in funding, pro bono and relationship potentials globally, in MSF’s existing donor base and beyond.

• Analyse global fundraising trends and opportunities to inform strategic planning and decision-making.

Operational Setup:

• Work with Legal, Finance, and Operational teams (and others as needed) to ensure all prerequisites for proactive partnership engagement are in place, including compliance with legal requirements and due diligence processes.

• Develop decision-making frameworks and processes for evaluating global partnership opportunities.

• Propose and implement an improved due diligence setup and process that serves as minimum standard across all MSF offices.

• Support the development of a system that allows for adequate internal recognition of local support to international and collective fundraising achievements.

Internal Relationship, Project and Process Management:

• Coordinate ways of working and division of labour between MSF entities to ensure smooth relationship management by MSF.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to align strategies and ways of working with MSF's fundraising markets.

• Keep all relevant stakeholder abreast of key developments and ensure timely decision-making and follow-up.

• Provide strategic support, motivation and mentoring to colleagues in stakeholder management and coordination when needed/ requested.

Impact and Performance Monitoring:

• In close consultation with other key stakeholders (DirFund, fundraising directors, Communities of Practice, etc.) pro-actively research key relationships MSF should hold and pursue with global partners and develop viable ways of accessing these jointly.

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track the impact of strategic partnerships.

• Continuously assess the effectiveness of strategies and processes, making data-driven recommendations for improvement.

• In general, ensure adherence to policies and aligning to strategic priorities.

External Partnership Development:

• When mandated by all involved offices and approved by the DirFund, open doors for and/ or cultivate strategic partnerships with major donors, corporates, foundations, influencers, and thought leaders to leverage resources and expertise.

Skills and Experience:

• Proven track record in senior leadership roles (+10 years) in fundraising, focusing on strategic partnerships

• Successful experience managing or coordinating 6-7 figures multi-market partnerships and events, including familiarity with legal requirements, cause-related marketing, customer activation, influencers, employee engagement, and organisational risk management highly desirable

• Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, or a related field, and/ or significant relevant professional experience, as evidenced by measurable results in similar work environments

• Proven understanding of the global corporate and philanthropy sector, having access to and visibility in relevant industry forums

• Strong strategic planning, stakeholder and project management skills, with the ability to develop strategies, and then translate vision into actionable plans

• Extensive knowledge of relationship management best practices, trends, and technologies, especially in an international context

• Exceptional communication and ethical storytelling, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire, mentor, and motivate diverse stakeholders

• Demonstrated experience in facilitating collective action and results in a networked organisation

• Analytical mindset with proficiency in data analysis and performance measurement

• Flexibility to travel internationally as needed

Competencies:

• Commitment to MSF Principles

• Cross-cultural Awareness and Commitment to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Guidelines for Communication and Fundraising Strategic Vision

• Results and Quality Orientation

• Planning and Organising

• Initiative and Innovation

• Teamwork and Cooperation

• Networking and Building Relationships

All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.