Philanthropy Advisor

Medair; Zürich; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Medair in Zurich, Switzerland, is seeking a fundraising professional to join the Engagement team. The role focuses on raising funds from foundations in German-speaking Switzerland, managing a portfolio and submitting high-quality proposals and reports.

The position is based in Zurich, 100%, starting December 2026. You will collaborate with Institutional Philanthropy and International Programs, using Salesforce to track donor journeys and report progress to the team lead.

Qualifications

• Excellent German and English language skills, both written and spoken.
• Ability to present complex information concisely for proposals.
• Experience in fundraising, advocacy, or communications.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising with foundations & governmental institutions: manage a portfolio, identify projects, submit proposals and reports.
• Copywriting: write high-quality funding proposals and reports in German and English.
• Philanthropy strategy and engagement: contribute to strategy, monitor trends, report on targets.
• Administrative support: assist Zurich office with general admin tasks.

Skills

German

English

Proposal writing

Fundraising

Relationship management

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

December 2026, 100%. 12 months

Role Summary

Working closely with the Engagement team, particularly the Institutional Philanthropy team, this role supports Medair’s mission by raising funds from foundations in German-speaking Switzerland. It manages a portfolio of foundations that makes a significant contribution to annual fundraising targets and growth, and develops high-quality proposals and reports.

Project Overview

Medair Global Support Office (GSO) provides operational guidance for country programmes, along with both technical and compassionate support for our relief workers. Within GSO, the Engagement Department promotes the work of Medair and raises funds needed for our programming. Within our headquarters and affiliate offices, we are also responsible for promoting the work of Medair to the world, to raise and manage the funds needed to run our lifesaving and sustaining programmes, and to recruit international and GSO staff.

Workplace & Conditions

Position based in Zurich, Switzerland, Swiss or eligible EU citizens, or those with a valid work permit for Switzerland. 100%, starting in December 2026.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising with foundations & governmental institutions: Manage a portfolio of foundations, municipalities and cantons, identify potential projects and submit high-quality proposals and reports in a timely manner as per solicitation plan. Maintain personal contact with representatives of foundations and build positive and sustainable relationships. Coordinate internally with International Programs, Finance and the field locations to identify projects adapted to partners’ requirements. Keep up to date information and plan donor journeys using Salesforce (CRM). Acquire new foundations and governmental organization using desk top research, networking, planning and organizing acquisition campaigns. Plan, track and analyse personal targets and results, and report to team leader and manager. Develop tools and processes to optimise operations.


• Copywriting: Write appropriate and qualitative funding proposals and reports (in German and in English). Create communication material such as writing project summaries, letters and presentations. Plan and coordinate internally with the institutional philanthropy team, the development of new proposals and reports. And keep the shared library of proposals up to date to enable access to other teams.


• Philanthropy strategy and engagement: Contribute to the Philanthropy strategy, approach, tactics and initiatives in collaboration with the philanthropy team to foster innovation and best practices. Monitor institutional philanthropy trends and share knowledge. Plan, track and analyse personal targets and results, and report to manager. Support Philanthropy Manager with the affiliate Philanthropy working group. Co-organize philanthropic events.


• Administrative support: support the Zurich office in administrative tasks (invoice processing, etc.)

Qualifications, Experience & Technical Competencies

• Excellent German and English language skills, particularly written.


• Ability to bring complex information in a simple way to the point without losing essential content.


• Analytical skills and rigour.


• Organised.


• Strategic thinking.


• Desirable: Understanding of International and humanitarian context.


• Experience in proposal writing and philanthropic account management.


• Demonstrable professional success in the area of fundraising, sales or communication/marketing.


• Minimum of 2-5 years of work experience in the private or public sector.


• Previous successful experience in philanthropy or sales is an asset.

Behavioural Skills

People-oriented and good relational skills. Goal, output and performance oriented. Self-starter and proactive. Collaborative team player. Builds trust with high-net-worth individuals and key stakeholders.

Team Spiritual Life

Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, people we serve, and external contacts. Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based teams. Fully contribute to a rich spiritual team life, including team devotion, prayer, and words of encouragement.