[Hiring] Senior Philanthropy Specialist @Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative

Role Description

The Senior Philanthropy Specialist is a member of DNDi’s Global Private Sector Fundraising team, based in the Rio de Janeiro office and reporting to the Head of Private Sector Fundraising, based in the UK. The role will grow philanthropic income by proactively identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major individual donors, family foundations, private foundations and family offices with the capacity to make significant multi-year gifts.

The role will have a strong focus on developing DNDi’s philanthropic pipeline in the United States, as part of the global team’s wider work with US donors and foundations. This will include opportunities arising through DNDi Board and Committee members, senior leaders and other strategic champions, alongside proactive outreach and prospecting. The postholder will also pursue selected high-potential opportunities in Latin America and contribute flexibly to global fundraising priorities.

The postholder will lead assigned donor and foundation relationships from initial qualification through solicitation and stewardship, working closely with colleagues across DNDi to develop compelling approaches, proposals and engagement plans. The role will also lead stewardship strategy for assigned major donors and selected mid-level donors, drawing on external writing and design support as needed.

As a senior philanthropy specialist, the postholder will develop deep expertise in DNDi’s global mission, R&D portfolio, access approach and organisational priorities, with particularly strong knowledge of DNDi’s work and partnerships in Latin America.

Qualifications

• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience, including substantial experience leading complex philanthropy or major-gift work.
• Proven track record of personally cultivating, soliciting and securing six- and seven-figure USD gifts or grants from major donors, family offices, family foundations or private foundations.
• Demonstrated experience creating new philanthropic opportunities through proactive outreach and prospecting, as well as advancing opportunities introduced by senior volunteers and organisational leaders.
• Experience fundraising in the US or from donors and foundations based in the US is strongly preferred.
• Experience working internationally and effectively across cultures, locations and organisational functions.
• Advanced degree, or graduate degree combined with equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Experience in global health, international development, medical research, science, philanthropy or another mission-driven international organisation is desirable.

Requirements

• Outstanding relationship-building, influencing and solicitation skills, with the judgement and confidence to engage senior philanthropists, Board and SAC members, family offices, foundation leaders and DNDi executives.
• Demonstrated ability to originate opportunities through proactive prospecting, targeted outreach and network development, and to move them from qualification to gift.
• Ability to develop persuasive donor strategies, funding propositions, cases for support, proposals, briefings and stewardship communications.
• Strong commercial and fundraising judgement, including the ability to prioritise among uncertain opportunities and focus effort where it can generate the greatest return.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English, including the ability to make scientifically complex work compelling and accessible without losing accuracy.
• High level of initiative, organisation and follow-through; able to manage multiple high-value relationships and deliverables across time zones in a matrix environment.
• Collaborative and politically astute, with the ability to clarify relationship ownership, bring colleagues into donor engagement appropriately and work across global and regional structures.

Benefits

• Full time–2 year fixed term contract.

To apply

• Deadline for application: accepting applications until 15 November 2026.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Application submission for this position may close early if we have enough suitable applicants.

DEI Statement

DNDi is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive organisation. Our success and global reach are dependent upon our ability to encourage diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in at DNDi and across the sector, especially women, and including, but not limited to, black and minority ethnic candidates, and those with other protected characteristic.