Senior Development Manager - APAC

The WHO Foundation (WHOF), launched in May 2020 and headquartered in Geneva, was created as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with but independent of WHO. Its mission is to mobilize greater private capital and partnership to advance the mission of the World Health Organization (WHO), enabling catalytic impact on the people whose lives rely on WHO’s work and facilitating innovation to maximize the impact of the resources we invest.

WHO plays a singular role in leading the global health ecosystem, acting as a first-responder to health crises — including the current conflict in Ukraine and on behalf of the 15+ million people in urgent need of aid in Horn of Africa; producing technical guidelines and tools to prevent and treat disease; and acting as a country-level convener with an unparalleled level of trust. The crises of the 21st century, including COVID-19, have made clear both the inequity of access to effective and affordable healthcare and the indispensable role of WHO. Yet WHO lacks sufficient resources to fulfill its mandate. And, beyond funding, its vision cannot be achieved by the public sector alone.

The WHO Foundation was therefore created as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with but independent of WHO to marshal new resources from philanthropists, foundations, businesses, and individuals to support its mission: promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable, while protecting the neutrality and independence of WHO as the world’s leading health authority. WHOF is a nexus for unique opportunities in global health, facilitating game-changing opportunities between the private sector and WHO. Our focus is on mobilizing grant income, shared value partnerships, and investment to power WHO’s work.

PURPOSE

This role sits within the growing development team and will be responsible for managing an Asia-Pacific (APAC) portfolio of current and prospective major donors, cultivating relationships with individuals, trusts, and corporations and soliciting major gifts and stewarding donors effectively to encourage their lasting support. The Senior Development Manager will connect these stakeholders to our mission through a combination of face-to-face meetings, events, written proposals, and compelling presentations.

REPORTS TO

The Senior Development Manager will report to the Europe and APAC Regional Director at the WHO Foundation.

ACCOUNTABILITIES & FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising and portfolio management:

1. Responsible for delivering major gifts from HNWIs, philanthropists, corporates, foundations in support of WHO’s strategic priorities in Asia— particularly in major markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

2. In partnership with the Europe and APAC Regional Director, design and implement a comprehensive development strategy for the region, including developing or leveraging financial structures to facilitate the flow of money, and align with the Foundation’s development goals.

3. Manage a portfolio of 60-80 prospective donors (100K to 3 million USD capacity) and develop them across all stages of cultivation.

4. Meet a yearly set of agreed fundraising KPIs (including money raised, asks made, meetings secured and gift close rate).

5. Ensure that there is cohesion and continuity in WHOF Asia’s fundraising strategy and best practice across the region.

6. Efficiently use the CRM to record and report on activity: feeding into campaign data, team reporting and management information for the senior leadership team.

Relationship management:

1. Develop and implement effective cultivation/ solicitation strategies with potential donors to motivate significant gifts to match fundraising priorities.

2. Initiate and grow a personal network of senior key influencers in Asia and worldwide who are able to advise and make introductions to strengthen and grow our major donor base.

3. Build mutually beneficial relationships with WHOF and WHO colleagues, particularly in relation to fundraising projects, and align programmes of activity where appropriate.

4. Create shared opportunities that support and advance the Foundation's fundraising priorities.

5. Translate complex ideas into compelling messages tailored to supporters.

6. Contribute to the concept, planning and delivery of events and other opportunities to engage with WHOF’s community of supporters.

7. Work with leadership and fundraisers from across the Foundation to identify potential funding priorities that may be of particular interest to prospects in Asia.

Collaboration:

1. Work in partnership with the Finance team, Legal, Comms and wider WHOF teams to ensure gifts are processed in line with donor wishes and financial regulations.

2. Work with senior stakeholders to secure transformational gifts.

3. Ensure the highest standards of donor care through effective stewardship, timely reporting, gift acknowledgment and continued engagement.

PROFILE

1. Extensive fundraising experience at a major gift level, developing relationships and personally securing significant gifts (6-7 figures).

2. Experience developing and implementing innovative high network individual events.

3. Experience working in a target-orientated environment and operating at the most senior level.

4. Demonstrable experience of devising successful fundraising strategies.

5. Excellent knowledge of best practice in philanthropic fundraising and applying those principles successfully in an international development, higher education, charity or other similar environment.

6. Strong experience in health partnership with health emergencies and corporate partners is also welcome.

7. Thorough knowledge of IT systems, database management and Salesforce.

8. Experience working in an international organization and/or in international development within a complex stakeholder environment.

9. Knowledge of Asian philanthropic networks and organizations particularly Singapore and/or Hong Kong is strongly preferred.

10. Self motivated, target driven and aptitude to work with flexibility and autonomy both individually and as part of a multi-stakeholder team.

11. Comfort with and/or experience of operating in a lean, start-up and remote environment.

12. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), enabling clear and concise information delivery to stakeholders at all levels.

WHAT WE OFFER

1. Rewarding work in a dynamic non-profit environment

2. A collaborative workplace within a multicultural team

3. An agile and flexible environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Type of contract: Permanent contract and remote

2. Location: APAC countries with a preference for Hong Kong or Singapore, with 20-30% travel expected

3. Working rate: 100%

4. Estimated start date: March 2025

5. Application deadline: 2 January 2025

This is a rolling process; applications will be revised as they arrive. Final deadline for application is 2 January 2025