Thank you for your interest in working with Groundswell International.

Title:                 Development Assistant

Reports To:       Director of Development

Purpose and Mission of Groundswell International:  Groundswell is a partnership of local organizations working in 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, West Africa and South Asia.  Our mission is strengthening communities to build healthy farming and food systems from the ground up. The role of staff and consultants is to work and coordinate as an effective team in support of accomplishing our mission and Strategic Framework.

Purpose of Position:   Ensure effective Resource Development by supporting the Director of Development and coordinating closely as needed with the Executive Director, Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Program Management and Regional Coordinators. Improve the administrative effectiveness and smooth operation of the organization, in particular providing project management coordination and direct administrative support to the Director of Development and others as requested. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Assist Director of Development in the following ways:

1)         Major Donor and Family Foundations Development: (25%)

a)         Supporting Development efforts to identify, cultivate, and approach current and potential major donors and family foundations. Includes coordinating Moves Management with Board commitments.

b)         Maintaining accurate, current records and timely correspondence with current and new donors to deepen their engagement with Groundswell and increase donor giving,

c)         Helping to implement such approaches as monthly donor recruitment and planned giving opportunities.

d)         Producing status reports from Neon CRM as needed.

2)         Grants Fundraising: (25%)

a)         Identifying and maintaining in Neon CRM system a priority list of strategic grant opportunities, with relevant deadlines and requirements.

b)         Supporting the preparation of grant proposals and reports as needed, including assembling necessary addenda.

c)         Helping ensure the accurate flow of information and hand-off of approved grants to Director of Finance and Director of Program Management, including through completion of Grants Checklist for each grant.

d)         Producing status reports from Neon CRM as needed.

3)         Donor Program Administration and Management: (25%)

a)         Helping maintain donor and prospect files including accurate, thorough database management.

b)         Maintaining Groundswell’s donor and grant database including: accurate logging of donations, processing of acknowledgments, filing of relevant documents, timely internal communication about proposal and report deadlines, monthly reconciliation with QuickBooks, etc.

c)         Helping Director of Development in coordinating with the Board of Directors Resource Development Committee.

d)         Participating in strategic and short-term Resource Development planning

e)         Carrying out administrative duties, including opening office mail, scanning grant award letters, checks, and related materials, making bank deposits and updating the check log.

f)          Preparing and sending thank-you notes and acknowledgment letters to all individual and foundation contributors.

4)         Communications and Outreach: (10%)

a)         Coordinating with communications staff to maximize effectiveness of website content, social media strategies, and outreach and communications campaigns to strengthen overall visibility, engagement and donations.

b)         Providing administrative support for periodic donor appeals.

5) Other administrative and support tasks, including regular reconciliation with Finance Department records in QuickBooks Online, as needed and assigned. (15%)

Location and Travel:

• Groundswell’s office is based in Washington DC. 
• Teleworking arrangement will be implemented during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Qualifications:

• Detail-oriented. It is essential that the Development Assistant keep scrupulously careful and accurate records, reports, etc.
• Groundswell is mission-driven. We seek an individual who will welcome this orientation to their work as Development Assistant.
• Experience with and expertise in managing a constituency relations management system such as NeonCRM.

Groundswell International is an equal opportunity employer.

This is an initial six-month contract position with opportunity for extension. 

To apply please send CV, cover letter and two references to jobs@groundswellinternational.org.

Applications received by September 11 will be given preference. Contract open until filled.