Programme Funding Portfolio Development Specialist

Save the Children International has an exciting opportunity for aSCI-Led Programme Funding Portfolio Development Specialist (MENAEE) to join our CO team.

Team Purpose

To provide strategic leadership and direction on all Programme Funding matters across Save the Children. Optimise and align our local-to-global programme funding portfolio and drive continuous improvements in our capabilities, funding practices and donor partnerships. Blend art and science to turn insights into action. Collaborate extensively across the movement, and partner closely with key stakeholders, both within and beyond StC, to directly inform, shape, and connect key strategic programme funding trends and initiatives that advance the movement's Global Strategy and Global Funding Framework ambitions.

Role purpose

To provide global, portfolio-level support for SCI-led programme funding, with a focus on portfolio optimisation, market development, and strategic alignment across MENAEE SCI Countries Offices. The role is accountable for improved portfolio performance by providing analysis, guidance and coordination across multiple countries and markets, rather than for individual country funding targets. The role stewards SCI-led funding portfolios by identifying cross-market opportunities, risks, and trade-offs; translating global donor and market signals into actionable country guidance; and strengthening system-wide practices. Operational engagement in country-level acquisition is undertaken selectively where it unlocks disproportionate strategic or financial value.

This role complements but does not replace Country Office and Member business development functions, which retain ownership and accountability for their pipelines, portfolios, donor relationships, and funding proposals.

• Job Title: SCI-Led Programme Funding Portfolio Development Specialist (MENAEE)
• Reports To: Head of SCI-Led & Humanitarian Programme Funding
• Work Pattern: Hybrid/Remote with flexible working options available
• Location: Any existing approved SCI office location in the MENAEE Region. For a full list of locations that Save the Children International can hire in, please visit: SCI Careers
• Required Time Zone: GMT -/+3.5
• Contract Length: Permanent
• Right to Work: The successful candidate must have the right to work in the country where the role is based, for the duration of employment.
• Language Requirements: English & Arabic
• International Travel: up to 20%
• Remit: Global

Principal Accountabilities

• Support SCI-led programme funding portfolio analysis, optimisation and market development, identifying priority markets, donors, and modalities, and advising on portfolio trade-offs to maximise long-term income quality, affordability, and strategic fit.
• Provide strategic guidance and targeted operational support by exception for complex, multi-country and or strategically critical SCI-led programme funding proposals where global coordination materially increases likelihood of success.
• Help to shape local-to-global market positioning and donor engagement approaches for SCI-led funding, providing research, analysis and sharing of insights, and ensuring that communication and interaction are consistent with Save the Children's values of integrity and collaboration.
• Monitor and analyse emerging global programme funding and global market trends and donor intelligence, translating policy shifts and funding trends into clear actionable guidance and strategic recommendations to Country Offices.
• Provide specialist portfolio-level support to Country Offices in their development (and implementation) of key stakeholder engagement plans with SCI-led donors accounts, (inc supporting donor due diligence of new SCI-led donors country offices may be engaging); ensuring SCI-led is part of country funding strategies to enhance Save the Children's visibility and partnership strength in diverse contexts.
• Inform, help shape, document, and promote best practice in SCI-led programme funding, including market entry approaches, capture planning standards, quality thresholds, and affordability discipline.
• Ensure compliance with all Programme Funding requirements and organisational policies, including those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to uphold Save the Children's commitment to integrity and accountability

Experience and Skills

Essential

1. Proven abilities in designing and implementing successful business development strategies at scale in humanitarian and/or development sector within and/or across the region; with substantial experience in securing programme funding and building donor partnerships which align with organisational funding goals and programme impact objectives.
2. Substantial experience in preparing and managing high-quality, competitive funding proposals at scale, leading cross-functional teams to develop complex and successful bids to institutional and/or private sector donors relevant to the region – which may include donors such as USAID, EU, SIDA, WFP, UNICEF, and/or the World Bank.
3. Extensive experience working in multi-cultural environments and liaising with diverse stakeholders including donors, partners, and government entities.
4. Experience in implementing successful stakeholder engagement plans to enhance visibility and build partnership in diverse contexts.
5. Strategic Thinking: Strong analytical skills with the ability to think strategically and globally. Ability to set ambitious and challenging goals, while taking responsibility for personal and team development.
6. Relationship Management: Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, members, external partners, and donors. Values diversity and collaboration as sources of strength.
7. Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to different audiences.
8. Proposal Development: Expertise in guiding the preparation and submission of high-quality and competitive funding proposals, including strong writing, editing, and project management skills.
9. Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of financial planning, budget management, and donor compliance requirements.
10. Negotiation and Influencing: Strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at different levels.

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in providing strategic oversight of key funding opportunities and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Experience in monitoring emerging funding trends and making strategic recommendations.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work effectively across different cultural contexts.
• Leadership: Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of accountability, ambition, creativity, and integrity.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to develop and encourage new and innovative solutions, while willing to take disciplined risks. Ability to assess the opportunities and risks a bid may present and build in appropriate mitigations.

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Education: Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience - in international development, business administration, economics, marketing, or a related field.
• Multi-Language Proficiency: While English & Arabic is essential, proficiency in other languages commonly used in SCI/A programme funding operations, such as French or Spanish, is desirable. Other relevant languages would also be a distinct advantage.
• CPD: Commitment to continuous professional development to stay updated with the latest trends in programme funding and business development.
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel to different country offices as required.

Desirable

• Professional certification or training in international development, programme management, programme funding/fundraising and relationships management.
• Accredited membership of relevant professional bodies is desirable

Working at Save the Children International

Save the Children is the world's leading organisation for children, employing ~25,000 staff. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential. Through our work in 116 countries, we put the most deprived and marginalised children first.

We know that great people make a great organisation, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

The work here is challenging but is also immensely rewarding. At Save the Children, you will be in good company, working with talented, like-minded individuals who are determined to ensure that all children survive, learn, and are protected. Your contribution will help ensure children's voices are heard at the highest levels, and that we achieve our global strategy, Ambition for Children 2030, and reach every last child.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

DEI is core to our vision, values and global strategy. Save the Children is committed to creating a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation, and one which will support us in our vision to ensure every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

We are committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, caring or parental responsibilities, age, or beliefs and religion. We are committed to diversifying our staff to better represent the communities we serve and actively welcome underrepresented groups to apply.

Reasonable adjustments will be made should any candidate invited to interview require this.

Application Information

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application. A full copy of the role profile can be found at SCI Careers. It is recommended that you save a copy of the role profile as it will no longer be available after the advert closes.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job advert may be closed earlier than advertised subject to the volume of suitable applicants. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who are successfully shortlisted should expect to hear from us within 2 weeks of the advert deadline.

Our Recruitment Process

1. Application review by our recruiting team based on your CV and cover letter
2. Two-stage competency-based interviews with the hiring team
3. Some recruitment may include an additional assessment or case study stage, or a third stage interview
4. If successful, you will receive a conditional offer of employment, followed by your contract subject to passing background checks

We need to keep children and adults safe so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and reflects our commitment to the protection of children and adults from abuse. All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our Code of Conduct and all policies and procedures relating to Anti-Harassment, Health and Safety, Safeguarding, and DEI and Equal Opportunities.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.