LEADERSHIP PROFILE Heifer International Washington, DC Together, we have power over hunger and poverty. Pierre U. Ferrari, President and CEO THE OPPORTUNITY Heifer works with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. Last year alone, Heifer helped 2.1 million families in 32 countries escape extreme poverty, achieve freedom from hunger and seize sustainable, life-transforming opportunities. Throughout its history, Heifer has been supported by generous private donors. During FY13, individuals, foundations and corporations provided $105 million of Heifer s $114 million budget, with institutional funding accounting for $8 million (7%). Private support gives Heifer unparalleled flexibility to pilot, design and implement programs that lift up smallholder farm families with ever greater impact and sustainability. Heifer programs create lasting change. Heifer aspires to impact exponentially more families, and is scaling up its programs. Current projects average 1000+ participants, a 10-fold increase accomplished in just three years. Scaling up requires more comprehensive, large-scale partnerships. Bi-lateral, multi-lateral and governmental support at national and host country levels are key to reaching more and more families each year, and to effecting system-level change for millions. The Vice President has a bold, transformational challenge: to develop and lead Heifer institutional partnerships. The VP will be a catalyst for growth and successful outcomes, leveraging Heifer s strengths in program quality and unrestricted support to develop high-impact institutional partnerships.
Page 2 of 7 The VP s challenge is significant, timely and game-changing. Heifer stands at an inflection point, with a bold commitment to scaling impact and diversifying funding partnerships. With new donor and finance systems implemented, Heifer is close to completing and integrating new project and content management systems that will make Heifer a leader among international NGO s in its ability to manage projects, data and reporting. Notable large-scale successes such as the East Africa Dairy Development Project, funded in part by a generous grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, have elevated Heifer s capacities and commitment to effect large-scale change, as well as understanding of what large-scale partnerships require. At the same time, the organization has more to do in developing its capacity, global coordination and credibility with institutional partners. This is the VP s challenge and calling. Mission knowledge & passion The new VP will have a track record of increasing institutional resources for an international nonprofit. She or he will bring proven ability to inspire, manage and nurture collaborative, matrixed, high performing teams and partnerships. The VP will: Partnership & relationship skills Institutional funding results Lead Heifer institutional partnership strategies in the U.S. and around the world Increase institutional funding from $8 million to $30 million annually over the next few years. Develop relationships, connections and ways of working that support success with large, multi-year partnerships and grants Through leadership, relationship skills and knowledge of the institutional funding landscape and Heifer s unique programs, the VP will take Heifer s global institutional partnerships and funding to a new level. Simply put, the new VP will help Heifer make a life-transformative difference for millions of the poorest people on earth. Heifer International's work is an example of best practices in development. They bring generations together with community building, and help families build knowledge and resources for sustainable progress out of poverty. Ford Foundation
Page 3 of 7 THE ORGANIZATION Heifer is a leading-edge global organization fighting hunger and poverty with an approach that is proven, innovative and transformative. Since 1944, Heifer has enabled over 10 million smallholder farm families and their communities to lift themselves out of poverty through community-based agricultural development and livestock. Heifer s work achieves significant, lasting progress at the economic, social and policy levels. Grounded in its 12 Cornerstones, Heifer teaches self-reliance and builds social and economic capital that enhances communities over multiple generations. Heifer s programs are unique. The gift of a cow, goat or other animal to a smallholder farm family produces nutrition and income. Through training and community sharing, the gift is transformed into small businesses, schools, clean water and access to markets and reliable income. Heifer partners, in turn, gift their animal s offspring, multiplying impact across whole communities, generations -- and ultimately, millions of families. The 12 Cornerstones: Passing on the Gift To increase the scale and sustainability of its impact, Heifer has added market development to its valuebased community development model. This enables communities to achieve more economic sufficiency by moving products and goods to market. By helping farmers access financing, build and aggregate small businesses, Heifer enables more communities to achieve economic viability on a larger scale.
Page 4 of 7 Heifer is substantially expanding the scope, scale and impact of its work. As the world faces food shortages and economic uncertainty, smallholder farmers are disproportionately affected. At the same time, they play a crucial role in fighting hunger and poverty. To support sustainable progress for millions of smallholder farm families, Heifer s goals are to: 1. Scale up program impact 2. Grow and diversify revenue and support 3. Strengthen global operating systems The VP of Institutional Partnerships has a mission-critical mandate: to support greater impact by increasing Heifer s institutional funding. THE RESPONSIBILITIES The Vice President will cultivate, develop and facilitate major institutional partnerships in the U.S. and globally. The VP will be knowledgeable and passionate about Heifer s work and about the world of global institutional resources. She or he will develop Heifer s strategy to increase institutional funding from an annual level of $8 million to $30 million in the coming years. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the VP will be a compelling, influential leader with a solid grasp of institutional funding trends and good connections. The VP will: 1. Architect, lead and mobilize institutional partnership strategies. The VP will be a visionary leader who engenders confidence and results. He or she will be well-connected in the institutional funding world and have demonstrated success with 7- and 8- figure institutional partnerships. Through tranparent communication, collaboration and shared success, the VP will mobilize people around the Heifer world and in the international funding community. 2. Grow resources and make Heifer a partner of choice. The VP will have a track record of growing institutional support in relevant contexts. A subject-matter expert adept at matching agendas, the VP will develop a multi-year strategic approach to building credibility, relationships and accountability with major funders. She or he will apply an understanding of Heifer, the international NGO and funding communities to achieving results. The VP will make Heifer a partner of choice for a growing set of bi-lateral, multi-lateral and governmental partners.
Page 5 of 7 3. Be a compelling Heifer representative in international funding circles, experienced at win-win relationships and collaborations. The VP will be comfortable, savvy and connected in funding and policy circles. She or he will bring current relationships, ability to create new relationships and networks, and a track record of spotting trends and opportunities. The VP will envision and implement strategies for partnering with diverse bi-lateral, multilateral and governmental funders, including developing world governments, the World Bank, EU, IDB, DFID and USAID. 4. Develop tools and ways of working that support success. The VP will create streamlined, user-friendly processes and tools that enable greater institutional funding success. The VP will empower and engage country offices and others around Heifer to spot opportunities early and to win major support. The VP will build a systematic approach and tools that work in a decentralized organization empowering local action while maintaining cohesive messaging, communications and coordination. 5. Be a strong manager of people, the business and change. The VP will be a confident, inspiring manager and team builder, and will lead a team that embraces innovation and change, seizes and creates new opportunities. The VP will foster shared vision, team cohesion, trust, collaboration, high performance and continuous learning. She or he will be a strong manager of the business who models transparency and accountability. The team will build Heifer-wide understanding of the benefits, leverage and mandatories of institutional partnerships, and will inspire alignment, effective synergies and winning collaborations that advance Heifer s mission. THE CANDIDATE The ideal candidate has knowledge, connections, leadership experience and a track record of growing institutional partnerships in international NGO contexts. Authentic passion for Heifer s mission is critical. Assets being sought include: A compelling, energizing and influential personality that engenders trust A thought leader with stong strategic thinking and executional skills An approach that is savvy, nimble and entrepreneurial
Page 6 of 7 A compelling, proactive and inpiring relationship and team builder someone people want to work with, who can work effectively across the entire Heifer organization High emotional intelligence and communication skills. Ability to listen well and communicate clearly, persuasively and consistently A track record of success in complex, matrixed environments where collaboration, clear decision making and problem-solving are prized Ability to develop effective strategies and supporting structures and processes A sense of humor A drive to achieve results and share credit, fueled by commitment to Heifer s mission and core values Ability to feel and convey passion for Heifer s mission THE RELATIONSHIPS The VP of Institutional Partnerships reports to the Chief Operating Officer. The VP reports to Chief Operating Officer (COO)/EVP of International Programs Manages direct reports Currently several staff colleagues growing the team to over 10 Has other key relationships including Heifer senior leadership including the COO, CFO, EVP, Regional Directors, Country Directors and institutional fundraisers within the Heifer network Colleagues in Marketing & Resource Development (MRD), especially the Foundation and Corporate teams Institutional funders who are current and prospective donors Policymakers
Page 7 of 7 THE LOCATION The position is based at Heifer s office in central Washington, DC. Compelling candidates could come from a variety of contexts. Over 15 years of senior-level experience in global corporate, nonprofit and other contexts, proficiency in at least one other language of global relevance and a master s degree in a relevant field are preferred. The candidate should demonstrate experience with bilateral, multi-lateral and governmental funding. Heifer is an equal opportunity employer, and a diverse slate of compelling candidates is being sought. For potential consideration or to suggest a prospect, please email Heifer@BoardWalkConsulting.com or call Kathy Bremer or Joan Schlachter at 404-BoardWalk (404-262-7392). For the current status of this and other searches, please visit www.boardwalkconsulting.com