Background

Wetlands International is the leader NGO safeguarding and restoring wetlands. At the heart of our vision is the recovery of large wetland landscapes of mangrove, peatland and freshwater ecosystems across the world. Wetlands are home to a significant share of the world’s biodiversity, provide livelihoods for some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities, help insulate surrounding areas from extreme events and other catastrophic disruptions, and, if degraded and destroyed, become a major source of carbon emissions.

Wetlands International is seeking an experienced Fundraising Coordinator for its work in South America. This position will involve identifying and engaging philanthropic foundations and other donors, coordinating the preparation of grant proposals, and developing and managing strategic partnerships supportive of Wetlands International’s mission and work.

The overall purpose of the job 

The Resource Development officer’s work will focus on building relationships with and securing grants from philanthropic institutions and donors, such as governments, corporations and individuals interested in wetlands conservation work in South America.

The Resource Development officer will bring strong fundraising acumen and programming experience, being able to identify donor opportunities, facilitate donor engagement, assist in the development of fundraising strategies, and coordinate proposal development for large and strategic funding opportunities. Recognising that many conversations with donors involve a review or update around current grants as well as discussions about new opportunities, the development officer will also be expected to keep closely informed about the progress of all major institutional grants to the organization.

 The role has an external orientation, but works closely with the LAC Argentina Office Director, the Brazil Office Director, the Resource Development Officer of the LAC Panama Office and the Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy based in our Global Office in Europe.

Responsibilities and tasks  

• Develop a strategic plan to increase significantly the funding levels for Wetlands International work in South America in the next 3-5 years.
• Track philanthropic trends related to biodiversity and wetlands conservation in South America;
• Identify, assess, and build relationships with institutional donors, such as governments, foundations, and corporations; 
• Attract and cultivate individual donors interested in supporting wetlands conservation; 
• Lead efforts to identify and evaluate donor opportunities and the relevance of specific calls for projects;
• Coordinate and facilitate project proposal development with the support of Wetlands International personnel in each office;
• Supervise/coordinate reporting and other obligations for current and future grants;
• Coordinate funding strategy development, fundraising activities, donor engagement and relationship management with relevant Wetlands International personnel.
  

Location 

The position will be based in Argentina.

Fundraising Profile 

The candidate will ideally have experience adopting a systematic approach to generating and managing prospect donors and be passionate about the conservation issues at the heart of Wetlands International.  In-depth experience of work with funding entities interested in South America, like investment banks, governmental agencies, trusts and foundations in the USA, Canada and Europe.

Substantial experience of writing successful bids from a variety of funding sources, for conservation and climate change work. Experience in researching funding opportunities in order to maximize possibilities to lever in additional funding. In-depth knowledge of the whole funding cycle, from nurturing potential new donors, to coordinating applications and budgets, offering guidance to colleagues on the funding process, and negotiating contracts where necessary. 

To be considered for this role, the candidate will ideally come to us with experience working in a fundraising setting and a good understanding of the important elements of managing donor relationships and strategic partnerships, as well as having leadership skills to work towards objectives involving and managing teams. 

Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clearly, succinctly and accurately, complying with complex funding application guidance.

Experience & Skills

Exceptional motivation, judgment, creativity, and work ethic.Minimum five years of working experience in fundraising and development, with at least five years in a role with significant management responsibilities. 

Extensive knowledge of and experience with philanthropic foundations, including in particular foundations working in biodiversity conservation and related fields and interested in South America.

Significant experience with awareness-raising and fundraising campaigns and similar initiatives involving environmental or other public interest initiatives. 

Exceptional interpersonal communications and negotiation skills and experience, with emphasis on writing ability and verbal presentations. 

Professional-grade skills in relevant computer and other technology applications, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, and other relevant software. 

Experience working, living, or traveling extensively in South America.

Knowledge of, or at least a passionate interest in, wetland ecosystems.

Professional proficiency in English and Spanish (Portuguese also preferred).

The ability to travel extensively across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

What we offer 

Join the passionate team at Wetlands International and embark on the environmental sector with the following highlights:

• • Salary Expectations: Submit your application with your salary expectations for this fundraising regional position. Remember that this role comes with the exciting opportunity to become a permanent member of our staff within the first 6 to 12 months. Further negotiations regarding your remuneration and contract will be facilitated diligently by Wetlands International.
  • Vacation Benefits: Relish a vacation scheme in line with Argentine legislation, initiating a two-week annual leave in your first year, promoting work-life harmony.
  • Travel Opportunities: Gear up for 60 travel days yearly in Latin America, North America and Europe.
  • Hybrid Work Model: Embrace the modern hybrid work style with 2-3 office days weekly in our offices in Colegiales, Buenos Aires, blending structure with flexibility.

• Full-time position. The post has a full-time dedication to achieving the annual financial goal. 

Work for the Planet. It is time to live with a purpose: protecting endangered wetlands gives a chance to combine a meaningful way to balance work and life.

How to apply 

Application Instructions – Wetlands International

We are thrilled that you are considering joining the Wetlands International team. Please follow the instructions below meticulously to ensure your application is processed seamlessly.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Before initiating your application, have the following two documents ready:

• CV: Your CV must detail your career trajectory, including relevant competencies and notable achievements.
• Cover Letter: Develop a cover letter that does not exceed two pages. This should vividly express your motivation, why you believe you are the right fit for the role, and your vision for working with Wetlands International.

Step 2: Document Formatting

Ensure that both your CV and cover letter adhere to the following formatting guidelines:

• File Format: Save your documents as PDFs.
• Filename Format: Your files should be named according to this format:
  • For CV: «FirstName-LastName-CV-PositionName-WI-mmyy.pdf»
  • For Cover Letter: «FirstName-LastName-CoverLetter-mmyy-PositionReference.pdf»
• Examples:
  • Maria-Gonzalez-CV-FundraisingCoordinator-WI-0923.pdf
  • Maria-Gonzalez-CoverLetter-0923-WI.pdf

Step 3: Submit Your Application

With your prepared documents, proceed to submit your application:

• Email: Direct your application to  busquedasrrhh@humedales.org.ar
• Attachments: Attach your CV and cover letter as separate files.
• Correspondence: For any correspondence at this stage, kindly reach out via the email address mentioned above.

Thank you for adhering to these guidelines, which help us process your application efficiently. We look forward to understanding your passion and vision for working with Wetlands International. This search counts with the support of www.marceloiniarra.com and www.clubdefundrasing.com 

Timeline

Closing of Applications: 27th October, 23:59 Argentina’s time
Final Interviews with Wetlands International: First week of December (Dates TBC).

Selection Process 

All applicants will be notified of the status of their application following the deadline. To ensure receipt of our communications, we recommend adding the job’s contact email to your trusted sender list and monitoring your spam folder frequently.

Queries 

Should you have questions regarding any part of the application process, require further details, or wish to engage in an informal conversation, please contact Valeria Gayoso at busquedasrrhh@humedales.org.ar as your initial point of contact.