The Research & Evidence Practice at Oxford Policy Management is currently seeking a Global Foundation Partnerships Lead on a permanent basis.

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This position can be based from one of our global offices in the following locations: Ethiopia, Kenya, India or Pakistan.

We are an international development consultancy working to improve lives through sustainable policy change in low- and middle-income countries. Our vision is for fair public policy that benefits both people and the planet.

Through our global network of offices, we work in partnership with national stakeholders and decision makers to research, design, implement and evaluate impactful public policy. We draw on our local and international sector experts to provide the very best evidence-based support. We deliver projects with expert knowledge and experience, and can be relied upon for excellence in all aspects of project delivery. We work collaboratively, with ambition, to help deliver impactful public policy that will bring about lasting change.

The portfolio of work we have delivered with foundations is expansive; ranging from supporting the design and implementation of health programmes, providing research and evidence to support livelihoods projects, and providing advice on strategy design through a broad spectrum of thematic areas, underpinned by a robust understanding of the wider political economy.  We seek to understand our clients’ needs and provide world class technical solutions to help them create the impact that best serves their mission.

The Global Foundation Partnerships Lead, is a senior leadership role within our Research & Evidence Practice, that enables us to shape and grow our relationships, reputation and portfolio of work with philanthropic foundations. The role will lead the development and execution of OPM’s foundation partnerships strategy, build a strong pipeline of opportunities, deepen strategic relationships and position OPM as a trusted partner to foundations globally.

As our Global Foundation Partnerships Lead you will:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and drive OPM’s strategy for growing its portfolio of work with philanthropic foundations, working closely with the Research & Evidence Practice Lead and other senior colleagues responsible for organisational strategy and business development.

• Develop a deep understanding of foundations’ strategic priorities, funding portfolios and evolving needs, translating these insights into actionable opportunities for OPM.

• Build, develop and actively manage a strong pipeline of foundation opportunities, maintaining momentum from initial engagement and opportunity development through to successful conversion.

• Ensure OPM’s investment in foundation partnerships is targeted strategically, focusing on opportunities where OPM has a credible prospect of success and can offer distinctive value.

• Continuously refine and strengthen OPM’s value proposition to ensure it remains relevant, compelling and responsive to the changing priorities of philanthropic foundations.

Build and strengthen strategic partnerships

• Establish, deepen and sustain trusted relationships with senior decision-makers and key influencers within priority foundations, including programme directors and leads for learning, evaluation and evidence.

• Utilise a credible understanding of the role research and evidence plays in the design and implementation of strategy and programmes that make a positive social impact.

• Position OPM as a strategic partner well ahead of formal procurement processes, engaging foundations on their strategic priorities, programme ambitions and emerging challenges before opportunities come to market.

• Act as a senior ambassador for OPM within the philanthropic foundation community, raising the organisation’s profile and contributing to relevant events, networks, and partnerships.

• Substantial experience working within, or in close partnership with, major philanthropic foundations. You will have a strong understanding of how foundations operate, including how strategies are developed, priorities translated into funding portfolios and grant-making decisions, and external partnerships identified and selected.
• Established senior-level relationships across the philanthropic sector, alongside a demonstrable ability to build new relationships, cultivate networks and develop partnerships with foundations and co-funders.
• Significant experience in social impact at national, regional or international level, underpinned by a genuine commitment to driving positive and lasting change.
• A strong understanding of research, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and how these disciplines inform foundation strategies, strengthen programme and portfolio effectiveness, and support funders to define, measure and demonstrate results.
• The ability to recognise and mobilise technical and sector expertise, working effectively with specialists across different disciplines to shape compelling, relevant and client-focused propositions.
• A highly collaborative approach, with a proven ability to work across organisational and thematic areas, build internal alignment and bring colleagues together around shared opportunities and strategic priorities.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and influencing skills, including the ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and conviction and engage persuasively with senior foundation leaders, boards and peer funders.

• We enable colleagues’ capacity to grow professionally through enhanced learning resources, opportunities to work cross functionally, and space to engage with a range of internal and external industry events.
• Our non-hierarchical culture values support, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and a rich diversity of perspectives.
• We provide an exceptionally generous annual leave entitlement and a hybrid working model to encourage and enable healthy work/life balance.
• Wellbeing resources including a global Employee Assistance Programme and access to the UnMind app.
• Competitive salary and contributory pension scheme.

We are strengthened by the diversity of colleagues across our global business and are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. 

Our recruitment practices reflect our ambition to make the international development sector more inclusive and firm belief that our work delivers the best outcomes when we actively include a diversity of perspectives and experiences. 

If you share our vision for fair public policy that benefits both people and planet, we would love to hear from you. 

Please submit your application through our careers’ site. We review and interview applicants on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply by way of CV via our careers site at the earliest. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role and candidates must have a pre-existing right to work in Ethiopia, Kenya, India or Pakistan for their application to be considered.

Oxford Policy Management is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the business.  Should you require adjustments to make the application process more accessible please inform us through completing this form or scan the QR code below.