Remotehey

Company Description

The Olive Branch Foundation (OBF) is a non-profit and humanitarian Swiss-based organization dedicated to supporting community-led livelihood initiatives in fragile and underserved contexts.

We work with refugees, internally displaced people, returnees, and host communities who face chronic barriers to economic opportunity due to conflict, displacement, poverty, and climate-related pressures.

Our core belief is simple: sustainable change happens when communities lead their own development. We therefore fund locally designed and locally owned projects that strengthen self-reliance, dignity, and long-term resilience.

Role Description

This is a key strategic role with a direct impact on the foundation’s growth and long-term sustainability.

The Development Manager is responsible for leading and executing the foundation’s fundraising strategy, with a strong focus on building, managing, and growing a network of donors and strategic partners. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on fundraising activities, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and long-term stewardship, with particular emphasis on securing both restricted and unrestricted donations.

He/she will develop and maintain an active portfolio of major donor prospects and will be responsible for initiating and nurturing relationships through personal meetings, networking, and targeted engagement activities. A key aspect of the role is to build effective and collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across Switzerland, with particular focus on the Swiss-German speaking region.

The Development Manager will design and implement comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, grants, capital campaigns, fundraising events, and unrestricted funding streams. He/she will also be responsible for identifying new funding opportunities and translating the foundation’s mission, vision, and global projects into compelling cases for support.

Working closely with the Director and the Foundation Board, the Development Manager will contribute to strengthening visibility, engagement, and long-term support for the organization. In addition, the role includes developing and expanding the planned giving program through direct outreach, seminars, and communication materials.

The position requires a proactive, relationship-driven professional who enjoys networking, building trust, and creating meaningful partnerships to drive sustainable and flexible financial support for the foundation’s programs.

Key Responsibilities

·       Develop and implement a solid and sustainable fundraising strategy and program to secure regular income, including both restricted and unrestricted donations, in line with the foundation’s mission and objectives

·       Build and maintain strong relationships with private donors, philanthropic foundations, corporate partners, and strategic stakeholders

·       Actively network within the Swiss-German philanthropic and business community to expand the foundation’s visibility and funding opportunities

·       Identify, evaluate, and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants, partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms

·       Develop compelling funding proposals and partnership concepts, and present them to donors and the foundation board

·       Maintain an active portfolio of major donor prospects, leading personal visits, relationship development, solicitation, and long-term stewardship activities

·       Establish and monitor annual, measurable fundraising objectives across key areas including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, grants, campaigns, and fundraising events

·       Develop, maintain, and strengthen a structured planned giving program through direct outreach, seminars, and communication materials

·       Ensure high-quality donor communication, reporting, and engagement to foster long-term relationships and trust

·       Ensure that fundraising activities are aligned with Swiss regulations governing private foundations

Candidate Profile

·       Proven experience in fundraising, partnerships, business development, or philanthropy, with a strong track record of achieving results—preferably within Switzerland

·       Demonstrated success in building, managing, and stewarding long-term relationships with donors and key stakeholders

·       Strong networking skills, with the ability to engage donors, foundations, corporate partners, public authorities, and institutions in support of humanitarian and development initiatives

·       Solid knowledge of the Swiss philanthropic, humanitarian, and development landscape, including funding mechanisms, trends, and regulatory context

·       Hands-on understanding of international development and humanitarian work, including operations and project cycles

·       Ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, with both strategic vision and practical implementation skills

·       Existing network in Switzerland, particularly in the Swiss-German region, is highly desirable

·       Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, compelling, and persuasive manner (both written and oral)

·       Strong analytical, organizational, and project management abilities, with attention to detail and the capacity to manage multiple priorities

·       Proficiency in data handling and analysis, including the use of spreadsheets and donor/fundraising databases

·       Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including strategic thinking, planning, and the ability to operate effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment

·       High level of emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust, manage relationships sensitively, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics

·       Self-driven, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented mindset, with a strong interest in social impact and nonprofit work

Education

·       Essential: Degree in economics, MBA, marketing, business, or possibly public relations, communications, project management, international law or equivalent. 

Languages:

·       Native or fluent Swiss German / German (mandatory) and good English skills

·       Additional language skills, particularly French, are considered an asset

Experience

·       At least 5 years of experience in fundraising, ideally in Switzerland

·       Experience in roles involving significant fundraising responsibility and stakeholder engagement

·       Experience working with multiple partners in an international context is an asset

What We Offer

·       Meaningful work supporting social impact initiatives

·       Flexible 50% part-time position

·       Opportunity to shape and grow the fundraising strategy

·       Dynamic and mission-driven environment

·       Flexible working arrangements within Switzerland

Salary

Typical compensation for nonprofit fundraising roles in Switzerland (50% workload): to be discussed