Global Foundation Partnerships Lead

Overview

The Research & Evidence Practice at Oxford Policy Management is currently seeking a Global Foundation Partnerships Lead on a permanent basis.

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This position can be based from one of our global offices in the following locations: Ethiopia, Kenya, India or Pakistan.

We are an international development consultancy working to improve lives through sustainable policy change in low- and middle-income countries. Our vision is for fair public policy that benefits both people and the planet.

Through our global network of offices, we work in partnership with national stakeholders and decision makers to research, design, implement and evaluate impactful public policy. We draw on our local and international sector experts to provide the very best evidence-based support. We deliver projects with expert knowledge and experience, and can be relied upon for excellence in all aspects of project delivery. We work collaboratively, with ambition, to help deliver impactful public policy that will bring about lasting change.

Position Summary

The portfolio of work we have delivered with foundations is expansive, supporting programme design and implementation, research, evaluation and policy advice across a range of development sectors. We combine technical expertise with a strong understanding of the political and economic contexts in which our clients operate to deliver meaningful, lasting impact.

The Global Foundation Partnerships Lead is a senior leadership role within our Research & Evidence Practice, responsible for driving the growth of OPM's foundation partnerships and portfolio of work. The postholder will lead the development and execution of our foundation partnerships strategy, building senior relationships, identifying new business opportunities and developing a strong pipeline of prospective work. Working closely with senior colleagues, they will draw on their understanding of foundation priorities and funding processes to position OPM as a trusted partner, mobilising our expertise in research, evaluation, MEL, programme implementation and policy advice to develop compelling propositions and secure new opportunities.

As our Global Foundation Partnerships Lead you will:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and drive OPM’s strategy for growing its portfolio of work with philanthropic foundations, working closely with the Research & Evidence Practice Lead and other senior colleagues responsible for organisational strategy and business development.
• Develop a deep understanding of foundations’ strategic priorities, funding portfolios and evolving needs, translating these insights into actionable opportunities for OPM.
• Identify, develop and actively manage a strong pipeline of foundation-funded business opportunities, taking responsibility for progressing opportunities from initial relationship-building and early engagement through to proposition development, bidding and successful conversion.
• Ensure OPM’s investment in foundation partnerships is targeted strategically, focusing on opportunities where OPM has a credible prospect of success and can offer distinctive value.
• Continuously refine and strengthen OPM’s value proposition to ensure it remains relevant, compelling and responsive to the changing priorities of philanthropic foundations.
• Proactively identify emerging funding opportunities, upcoming programmes and potential commissioning priorities within philanthropic foundations, using market intelligence and established networks to engage ahead of formal procurement and tender processes.
• Take a commercially driven approach to business development, converting strategic relationships and market insights into tangible opportunities for OPM and contributing to the growth of the organisation’s foundation-funded portfolio.
• Build a strong understanding of foundation funding mechanisms, grant-making processes, procurement approaches and decision-making structures, ensuring OPM is well positioned to respond to emerging opportunities.
• Represent the foundation partnerships portfolio to OPM’s Senior Management Team, providing updates on pipeline development, strategic relationships, market intelligence and business development priorities.

Build and strengthen strategic partnerships

• Bring an established network of senior relationships across the philanthropic foundation sector, while continuing to develop and deepen relationships with key decision-makers and influencers within priority foundations, including programme directors, portfolio leads and those responsible for learning, evaluation and evidence.
• Utilise a credible understanding of the role research and evidence plays in the design and implementation of strategy and programmes that make a positive social impact.
• Position OPM as a strategic partner well ahead of formal procurement processes, engaging foundations on their strategic priorities, programme ambitions and emerging challenges before opportunities come to market.
• Build on OPM’s existing relationships and portfolio of work with major philanthropic foundations, identifying opportunities to deepen partnerships, expand existing programmes and develop new areas of collaboration.
• Develop a strong understanding of the priorities and funding interests of key foundations, identifying where OPM’s technical capabilities and experience align with their strategic objectives.
• Act as a senior lead for OPM within the philanthropic foundation community, raising the organisation’s profile and contributing to relevant events, networks, and partnerships.

Key Qualifications / Experience / Skills / Behaviours

• Substantial experience working within a major philanthropic foundation or in a senior role managing strategic relationships and partnerships with philanthropic funders. You will have an in-depth understanding of how foundations operate, including how strategies are developed, priorities translated into funding portfolios and grant-making and commissioning decisions, and external delivery partners identified and selected. 
• A demonstrable track record in business development and income generation, including identifying, developing and converting opportunities with philanthropic foundations and other institutional funders. You will be commercially minded, proactive and confident in developing a pipeline of opportunities and turning relationships into new business.
• An established network of senior contacts within the philanthropic foundation sector, with the ability to leverage existing relationships and develop new connections with foundation decision-makers, programme directors and senior stakeholders.
• A strong understanding of foundation funding priorities and decision-making processes, including the ability to identify emerging opportunities and build relationships with funders before formal funding opportunities or tender processes are launched.
• Significant experience in social impact at national, regional or international level, underpinned by a genuine commitment to driving positive and lasting change.
• A strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), research and evidence, including how these disciplines support foundation strategy, programme design, implementation, evaluation and the measurement of social impact.
• The ability to recognise and mobilise technical and sector expertise, working effectively with specialists across different disciplines to shape compelling, relevant and client-focused propositions.
• A highly collaborative approach, with a proven ability to work across organisational and thematic areas, build internal alignment and bring colleagues together around shared opportunities and strategic priorities.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and influencing skills, including the ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and conviction and engage persuasively with senior foundation leaders, boards and peer funders.

Our Offer

• We enable colleagues’ capacity to grow professionally through enhanced learning resources, opportunities to work cross functionally, and space to engage with a range of internal and external industry events.
• Our non-hierarchical culture values support, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and a rich diversity of perspectives.
• We provide an exceptionally generous annual leave entitlement and a hybrid working model to encourage and enable healthy work/life balance.
• Wellbeing resources including a global Employee Assistance Programme and access to the UnMind app.
• Competitive salary and contributory pension scheme.

We are strengthened by the diversity of colleagues across our global business and are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. 

Our recruitment practices reflect our ambition to make the international development sector more inclusive and firm belief that our work delivers the best outcomes when we actively include a diversity of perspectives and experiences. 

Application

If you share our vision for fair public policy that benefits both people and planet, we would love to hear from you. 

Please submit your application through our careers’ site. We review and interview applicants on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply by way of CV via our careers site at the earliest. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role and candidates must have a pre-existing right to work in Ethiopia, Kenya, India or Pakistan for their application to be considered.

Oxford Policy Management is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the business.  Should you require adjustments to make the application process more accessible please inform us through completing this form or scan the QR code below.