Research & Innovation Advisor

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Please note that this is an unaccompanied position.

The Health Support Organisation (THESO) is a leading 501 (3) (C) registered South Sudanese based international nongovernmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering in Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Our mission is to implement evidence-based, culturally Sensitive, innovative projects promoting health, according to perceived public health needs and priorities as understood through quality research. THESO 2030 strategy is contributing to achieving global strategies 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4 and 6 set targets and beyond in LMICs. To establish well-performing sustainable health system, Education system, and WASH system in developing countries, THESO is working with governments, UN Agencies and other stakeholders to achieves resilience and sustained outcomes through continuous improvement of the four sectors of Health, Nutrition, Education, WASH and Research.

Context and Background

THESO has been working in South Sudan since mid 2008, and currently runs 4 field programme offices across Africa. However the current South Sudan country strategic plan (2021 – 2025) includes expansion of its programme to all states, deepen its working relationship with host government partners at all levels, develop a gradual exit strategy to allow the smooth transfer of specific facilities to government, and support affected people with emergency response, recovery and resilience programmes. The primary focus of THESO South Sudan programme is integrated healthcare, Education, WASH, and community based and health facilities-based management of malnutrition. The special emphasis is given to maternal and child health care services. Using our expertise, we support aid workers and strengthen existing services. We build resilience by helping societies at risk of future disasters, to be better prepared.

We believe that everyone has the right to access and utilise free public health services with dignity. We believe good health is fundamental to transforming societies in transition that’s why THESO is a Force for Health to build healthy communities.

THESO is seeking to recruit a Research & Innovation Advisor for its Africa programme to be based in Washington DC.

The Research & Innovation Advisor will be accountable to deliver on THESO’s Research and Innovation-related growth goals with corporations, foundations and individual philanthropists. Embedded within the Research department with joint reporting into CPT, you will work closely with other CPT leaders and THESO senior staff and leadership to effectively positioning THESO as a key global partner of choice in relation to all things related to Research and Innovation.

This is a highly facilitative role in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, and will require outstanding interpersonal, communications and project management skills. Working closely with the Tina Impact Lab (TIL) in Juba South Sudan and the High Value Global Partnerships and Philanthropic Services team, you will:

• Develop a robust new business plan of fundraising engagement to improve and expand our financial engagement with partners in support of the annual growth goal for research and innovation

• Guide high-quality content development and financial propositions to instil support to THESO’s R&I work.

• Drive the overall strategy of our engagement with this set of partners and contribute to advancing initiatives that fulfil this goal.

Major Responsibilities

Deliver on fundraising for research and innovation

• Identify and deliver on an ambitious annual growth goal in support of R&I’s work that will contribute towards the holistic target of IPP and USA Philanthropy respectively.

• Develop and execute fundraising strategies spanning institutional philanthropy, private gifts, social finance and public funders to support these goals.

• Develop ground-breaking investment opportunities for donors; support the development of exceptionally promising innovation projects across THESO.

• Develop strategic engagement and solicitation strategies to increase donor retention and upgrade donors’ giving.

• Secure funding to sustain the Tina Impact Lab and grow its ~$10M portfolio of innovation projects.

• Ensure, in collaboration with GPPS and in line with global best practice across our entire engagement with HV donors, that R&I donors receive appropriate, consistent engagement/acknowledgment and an accounting of the impact that their gift has on community needs annually.

• Support fundraising for innovation projects across THESO

• In collaboration with GPPS, contribute to the generation of content and material that will drive success in fundraising.

• Allocate business development and design resources to make funding proposals more competitive.

• Align fundraising activities with THESO’s innovation goals and support the overall revenue and impact goals of the organization.

• Develop partnership and communications that build THESO’s reputation for innovation

• Support and maintain the organization’s brand, and specifically through the effective positioning of TIL with key influencing audiences and partners through effective engagement strategy, web presence and communications strategy; work with relevant CPT colleagues to elevate relevant messaging and ethos into THESO mainline communications.

• Build bridges to the private sector that welcome new ideas, new resources and new alliances into the work of solving grand humanitarian challenges.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 8-10 years of experience in a variety of fundraising roles

• Experience in institutional or private fundraising, major donor relations, and proposal development

THESO Values:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:

ü Inclusiveness

ü Transparency and Accountability

ü Agility and Innovation

ü Collaboration

ü Sustainability