The GBIF Secretariat seeks a dynamic individual to serve as its Strategic Partnership Officer. The incumbent in this high-visibility position will have the opportunity to build and maintain a wide range of strategic relationships while mobilizing resources and representing GBIF in a variety of bilateral, regional, international and intergovernmental settings.
GBIF has designed this new position in order to consolidate and expand the resource base that supports key strategic priorities for GBIF, including: 1) empowering the GBIF global network, by increasing the number of participating countries and organizations and building capacity of existing and future nodes; 2) increasing GBIF’s relevance to societal imperatives as embodied in the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to life on the earth and in the water, conservation, climate change, food security and human health; and 3) sustaining and improving GBIF’s capacity as one of the world’s leading research infrastructures for biodiversity data.
The incumbent will work under the general supervision of the Communications Manager within the Participation and Engagement team, whose work focuses on GBIF’s network and stakeholders. The post is a full-time position located in Copenhagen, Denmark, for a period of two (2) years with the possibility of renewal.
The specific duties of the incumbent will include, but are not limited to:
- Finalize and implement GBIF’s resource mobilization strategy, with an emphasis on identifying and cultivating new strategic funding partnerships with bilateral funders and select philanthropic entities whose priorities match GBIF’s
- Develop and coordinate outreach plans that align the current interests of potential funders and partners with GBIF’s own funding strategic priorities
- In collaboration with the Deputy Director, engage in cultivating relationships with government agencies to secure existing national participation and promote wider participation in GBIF
- Develop and advance relationships and joint fundraising opportunities among partner organizations under the alliance for biodiversity knowledge
- Assist in developing compelling materials that demonstrate and articulate GBIF’s value, highlighting in particular key messages for potential donor audiences
- In collaboration with the financial controller and management team, ensure that budgets submitted to donors are comprehensive and incorporate all necessary costs.
- Negotiate GBIF’s commitments and coordinate its involvements in funded projects, and, as needed, act as its direct liaison in project meetings
- In collaboration with the management team, develop options for addressing recommendations on GBIF resource mobilization contained in the recently released Twenty-year Review of GBIF
- Represent GBIF in external events, meetings and conferences, keep apprised of key trends and issues in funding, development and resource mobilization, and optimize GBIF’s positioning within this landscape
Required qualifications and skills
- Either a) Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus a minimum of seven years of relevant work experience, or b) Master’s degree in a related field, plus a minimum of five years of relevant work experience
- Experience in strategic fundraising in developing six- to seven-figure, multi-stakeholder partnerships with a variety of donor and partner types (e.g. EU, European bilateral funding, institutional foundations and other funding partners)
- Familiarity with program design, including logistical frameworks. Highly effective and versatile interpersonal and communication skills—both written and oral
- High level of professionalism, including being conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and communicating in a timely fashion
- A positive attitude and ability to work within a team environment are essential
- Comfortable in a diverse, global team
- Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and be detail oriented
- Willingness and ability to travel 30-40% to work with global team members and partners
Desirable skills
- Knowledge of biodiversity, conservation, and use of data for decision-making preferred
- Specific knowledge of GBIF and how GBIF-mediated data value chain functions from data contributors to data users and funders is preferred
What GBIF offers
- A good team atmosphere and vibrant international working environment
- The opportunity to develop relationships with GBIF community and a broad array of international funding institutions including philanthropic organizations and bilateral funders
- The opportunity to work publicly on open source projects, having direct involvement with the international data holder community
- Most importantly, the chance to contribute significantly to an international effort to build and run the world’s leading platform for FAIR and open biodiversity data
Remuneration
GBIF salaries are competitive and are exempt from Danish income tax. The selected candidate is expected to reside in Denmark for the duration of the contract, and a relocation package is available for internationally recruited staff.
Application procedure and deadline
To apply, please send a curriculum vitae (maximum two pages A4) along with a covering letter (maximum two pages A4), detailing your skills and qualifications, and how you can add value to GBIF’s efforts.
Applications must be submitted in English via email to SPOfficer@gbif.org by 10 June 2020. Please indicate in the application where you saw this advertisement. Enquiries concerning the position can be addressed to the Communications Manager, Kyle Copas, at kcopas@gbif.org, or to the HR Manager, Susanne Sheldon, at slsheldon@gbif.org. Interviews for the position are expected to take place June-July 2020.
GBIF—the Global Biodiversity Information Facility—is an international network and research infrastructure funded by the world's governments and aimed at providing anyone, anywhere, open access to data about all types of life on Earth.
GBIF is an equal opportunities employer and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of gender, colour, racial, social or ethnic origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation, marital status or family situation, or any other status. Staff are recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis.