Donor and External Relations Officer

Aktif Yardım Derneği (AYD); Şişli; On-site; TRY 320,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Aktif Yardım Derneği (AYD) is an Istanbul-based humanitarian organization seeking a Donor and External Relations Officer to develop AYD's relationships with institutional donors, foundations, and international partners. The role focuses on identifying funding opportunities and expanding AYD’s network.

You will coordinate meetings, prepare proposals, and maintain donor communications in Turkish and English, supporting fundraising and partnership development while upholding AYD’s humanitarian

Qualifications

• Professional fluency in Turkish and English.
• Experience in donor relations and external partnerships is preferred.
• Ability to prepare professional proposals and briefing documents.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage AYD's relationships with institutional donors, foundations, and international NGOs.
• Identify potential donors and funding opportunities; coordinate outreach and meetings.
• Prepare donor profiles, concept notes, funding proposals, and partner presentations.
• Maintain donor communications and ensure timely follow-up and reporting.
• Support the development of MoUs, partnership agreements, and coordination with internal teams.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Relationship building

Donor research

Proposal writing

Networking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in International Relations

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Sector: International Humanitarian Aid / Nonprofit

Department: Donor Relations & Institutional Partnerships

Aktif Yardım Derneği (AYD) is an Istanbul-based humanitarian organization established to support humanitarian assistance and sustainable development initiatives.

With a team experienced in humanitarian operations across Africa, the Middle East, Palestine, and South Asia, AYD focuses on food security, access to clean water, healthcare, education, shelter, and community support.

AYD is committed to developing needs-based humanitarian interventions, strengthening institutional cooperation, and building sustainable partnerships that deliver meaningful impact while respecting human dignity.

To support the development of its institutional network and funding partnerships, AYD is seeking a motivated and experienced Donor and External Relations Officer .

Organization: Aktif Yardım Derneği (AYD)

Duty Station: Şişli, Istanbul, Türkiye

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Sector: International Humanitarian Aid / Nonprofit

Department: Donor Relations & Institutional Partnerships

About Aktif Yardım Derneği (AYD)

Aktif Yardım Derneği (AYD) is an Istanbul-based humanitarian organization established to support humanitarian assistance and sustainable development initiatives.

With a team experienced in humanitarian operations across Africa, the Middle East, Palestine, and South Asia, AYD focuses on food security, access to clean water, healthcare, education, shelter, and community support.

AYD is committed to developing needs-based humanitarian interventions, strengthening institutional cooperation, and building sustainable partnerships that deliver meaningful impact while respecting human dignity.

To support the development of its institutional network and funding partnerships, AYD is seeking a motivated and experienced Donor and External Relations Officer .

Position Purpose

The Donor and External Relations Officer will support the development, management, and expansion of AYD's relationships with institutional donors, humanitarian organizations, foundations, international NGOs, and other strategic partners.

The successful candidate will play an active role in identifying potential donors and partners, establishing institutional contacts, developing funding and cooperation opportunities, coordinating external engagements, and maintaining effective communication with existing stakeholders.

The position requires a proactive professional who can independently initiate institutional relationships, represent the organization professionally, and translate partnership opportunities into practical cooperation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Donor Relations and Engagement

• Identify and research potential institutional donors, charitable foundations, funding organizations, and other relevant financial supporters.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with existing and prospective donors.
• Initiate contact with potential donors and arrange introductory meetings, institutional presentations, and follow-up discussions.
• Maintain regular communication with donors regarding AYD's humanitarian priorities, programs, and funding needs.
• Prepare donor profiles, engagement records, meeting briefs, and correspondence.
• Coordinate donor visits, institutional meetings, and project-related briefings.
• Support donor retention and the development of long-term funding relationships.

2. External Relations and Institutional Partnerships

• Identify and establish relationships with local and international NGOs, humanitarian networks, relevant public institutions, embassies, and other strategic stakeholders.
• Develop new cooperation opportunities aligned with AYD's humanitarian objectives.
• Maintain professional communication with existing institutional partners.
• Represent AYD in external meetings, networking events, institutional visits, and relevant humanitarian forums, as authorized.
• Coordinate introductory meetings and partnership discussions with potential collaborators.
• Support the development of cooperation agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and other partnership documents.
• Maintain updated institutional contact databases and partnership records.

3. Resource Mobilization and Funding Opportunities

• Research institutional funding opportunities, grant programs, calls for proposals, and potential humanitarian funding mechanisms.
• Monitor donor priorities, eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and relevant funding trends.
• Coordinate with program and management teams to identify projects suitable for external funding.
• Support the preparation of donor concept notes, funding proposals, partnership presentations, and supporting documentation.
• Follow up on submitted proposals, funding discussions, and partnership opportunities.
• Contribute to expanding and diversifying AYD's institutional funding network.

4. Donor Reporting and Partnership Coordination

• Coordinate with program and field teams to obtain accurate information on project implementation and humanitarian activities.
• Support the preparation of donor updates, activity summaries, progress reports, and institutional presentations.
• Monitor reporting deadlines and partner communication requirements.
• Maintain organized records of donor correspondence, partnership agreements, funding discussions, and follow-up actions.
• Support coordination between institutional partners, internal departments, and field representatives.
• Ensure that information shared with donors and partners is accurate, approved, and consistent with AYD's ethical and confidentiality standards.

5. External Representation and Official Correspondence

• Prepare professional correspondence in Turkish and English for institutional donors and external partners.
• Draft meeting agendas, minutes, briefing notes, and official letters.
• Organize institutional visits, partnership meetings, and external events.
• Prepare background research and briefing materials for management meetings.
• Participate in relevant national and international meetings or visits when required.
• Support the professional representation and institutional credibility of AYD.

Required Qualifications

Education and Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Development, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2–3 years of relevant professional experience in donor relations, institutional partnerships, external relations, fundraising, or international NGO coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing or maintaining professional relationships with external institutions.
• Experience in institutional correspondence, meeting coordination, reporting, and stakeholder follow-up.
• Understanding of nonprofit organizations, humanitarian operations, and institutional cooperation.

Language Requirements

• Professional fluency in Turkish, both written and spoken.
• Strong command of English, preferably B2 level or above, with the ability to conduct professional correspondence and participate in institutional meetings.

Technical and Professional Skills

• Strong interpersonal communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to research and identify institutional donors, humanitarian partners, and funding opportunities.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and follow-up capabilities.
• Ability to prepare professional emails, reports, presentations, and meeting records.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with digital collaboration tools, contact databases, and donor or partner tracking systems.
• Ability to manage multiple institutional relationships and priorities simultaneously.
• High standards of professionalism, discretion, integrity, and accountability.
• Willingness and availability to undertake domestic and international travel when required.

Qualifications

• Previous experience with an international NGO, humanitarian organization, charitable foundation, or development institution.
• Established knowledge of humanitarian networks and institutional donors operating in Türkiye, the Middle East, Africa, or South Asia.
• Experience in donor prospect research, institutional fundraising, grant opportunities, or resource mobilization.
• Experience drafting or coordinating MoUs, partnership agreements, and institutional proposals.
• Familiarity with donor compliance, grant reporting, and humanitarian project cycles.
• Demonstrated ability to independently initiate and develop new institutional partnerships.
• Existing professional networks within the nonprofit or humanitarian sector.

Key Performance Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop and maintain an organized pipeline of potential donors and institutional partners.
• Establish new contacts with relevant national and international organizations.
• Coordinate institutional meetings and ensure timely follow-up.
• Identify relevant funding and cooperation opportunities.
• Maintain accurate donor and partner engagement records.
• Support the preparation of professional proposals, briefings, and donor reports.
• Contribute to the development of sustainable institutional partnerships and funding relationships.

Performance will be assessed through the quality of engagement, partnership progress, documentation, responsiveness, and contribution to organizational objectives.

Working Environment

AYD offers an opportunity to contribute to the growth of an Istanbul-based humanitarian organization and to work with professionals and institutional partners involved in international humanitarian assistance.

The role provides exposure to donor engagement, international partnerships, institutional representation, and humanitarian program coordination.

AYD values professionalism, accountability, mutual respect, teamwork, and commitment to humanitarian principles.