Philanthropic Partnerships Consultant

General Background:

Global Rights Compliance (GRC) are policy makers, lawyers and development experts dedicated to promoting accountability and strengthening justice systems through the application of international law. With ongoing operations in some of the world’s most complex legal and security environments, GRC continues to provide specialised legal expertise, policy solutions, and strategic advisory services to uphold justice and strengthen the rule of law globally.

As part of its One GRC Strategy (2026-2030) and in response to shifts in institutional donor funding, GRC is actively diversifying its funding base. A key strategic priority is to secure multi-year, unrestricted philanthropic funding to strengthen organisational sustainability, independence, and innovation capacity.

We are seeking a Philanthropic Partnerships Consultant to join our International team. The role will design and implement GRC’s philanthropic fundraising approach and directly cultivate relationships with high-value donors, including Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, and private foundations. Working closely with the Partnerships and Development (P&D) Director and P&D Team, the consultant will focus on building a strong philanthropic pipeline and securing significant philanthropic commitments aligned with GRC’s strategic priorities. The consultant will be expected to lead on all aspects of GRC’s philanthropic advancement efforts, including the strategic approach, marketing, and direct communications; this role will have a primary aim of creating and building strong relationships to secure long term support.

The role is delivery-focused and structured around three key phases: Rapid Strategy & Pipeline Development; Active Donor Cultivation & Engagement; and Proposal Development & Funding Conversion. It includes defined revenue objectives and performance expectations, including:

• A Philanthropic Engagement Strategy outlining priority geographies, donor segments, and engagement pathways.
• A prioritised prospect pipeline of qualified philanthropic targets, with prioritisation scoring.
• Secured introductory meetings and active cultivation pathways advanced to proposal stage.
• A minimum funding target secured or progressed to formal proposal stage within the contract period.

Full details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

Full / Part-time: Full-time

Contract Duration: 6 months

Location: Remote

The Role

• Design and implement GRC’s philanthropic funding strategy (see Defined Scope of Work) to effectively engage and secure philanthropists donors.
• Represent the organisation in external engagements to strengthen partnerships and promote philanthropic support.
• Identify, qualify, and advance engagement opportunities through proactive prospecting, referrals, research, meetings, networking events, and relationship building.
• Develop tailored approaches, as needed, to cultivate individual philanthropist interest and commitment.
• Collaborate with Communications and P&D to shape philanthropic-facing messaging and materials.
• Collaborate closely with pillar and thematic leads to align prospective philanthropic interests with programmes, projects, and GRC priority areas. The focus should be on strengthening organisational sustainability by diversifying income streams beyond institutional funding, prioritising unrestricted support, and securing multi-year
• philanthropic commitments aligned with GRC’s core pillars.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions and engagement activities within the CRM system and update internally on progress of efforts.
• Conduct due diligence and assess reputational risks.

Your Background

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 8+ years experience in a business development or a relationship management role, including successful philanthropic development, within an international scope.
• Pre-existing relationships with key donors / philanthropists / fundraisers.
• Demonstrable access to Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, and private foundations.
• Experience leading or contributing to fundraising strategies, with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with donors at all funding capacity levels.
• Familiarity with EU and US philanthropic ecosystems.
• Experience securing 6-figure or 7-figure philanthropic funds.
• Able to work collaboratively with technical specialists and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience of concept / proposal drafting.
• Experience fundraising in justice, human rights, international law, or governance sectors
• Confidence and professionalism to represent GRC and engage in external relations both in person, via email and online.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to effectively convey potential impact.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Compatible for both independent and team work.
• Highly motivated, a natural self-starter who is proactive and hands-on.
• Fluent English language skills - verbal and written communication.

General Background:

Global Rights Compliance (GRC) are policy makers, lawyers and development experts dedicated to promoting accountability and strengthening justice systems through the application of international law. With ongoing operations in some of the world’s most complex legal and security environments, GRC continues to provide specialised legal expertise, policy solutions, and strategic advisory services to uphold justice and strengthen the rule of law globally.

As part of its One GRC Strategy (2026-2030) and in response to shifts in institutional donor funding, GRC is actively diversifying its funding base. A key strategic priority is to secure multi-year, unrestricted philanthropic funding to strengthen organisational sustainability, independence, and innovation capacity.

We are seeking a Philanthropic Partnerships Consultant to join our International team. The role will design and implement GRC’s philanthropic fundraising approach and directly cultivate relationships with high-value donors, including Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, and private foundations. Working closely with the Partnerships and Development (P&D) Director and P&D Team, the consultant will focus on building a strong philanthropic pipeline and securing significant philanthropic commitments aligned with GRC’s strategic priorities. The consultant will be expected to lead on all aspects of GRC’s philanthropic advancement efforts, including the strategic approach, marketing, and direct communications; this role will have a primary aim of creating and building strong relationships to secure long term support.

The role is delivery-focused and structured around three key phases: Rapid Strategy & Pipeline Development; Active Donor Cultivation & Engagement; and Proposal Development & Funding Conversion. It includes defined revenue objectives and performance expectations, including:

• A Philanthropic Engagement Strategy outlining priority geographies, donor segments, and engagement pathways.
• A prioritised prospect pipeline of qualified philanthropic targets, with prioritisation scoring.
• Secured introductory meetings and active cultivation pathways advanced to proposal stage.
• A minimum funding target secured or progressed to formal proposal stage within the contract period.

Full details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

Full / Part-time: Full-time

Contract Duration: 6 months

Location: Remote

The Role

• Design and implement GRC’s philanthropic funding strategy (see Defined Scope of Work) to effectively engage and secure philanthropists donors.
• Represent the organisation in external engagements to strengthen partnerships and promote philanthropic support.
• Identify, qualify, and advance engagement opportunities through proactive prospecting, referrals, research, meetings, networking events, and relationship building.
• Develop tailored approaches, as needed, to cultivate individual philanthropist interest and commitment.
• Collaborate with Communications and P&D to shape philanthropic-facing messaging and materials.
• Collaborate closely with pillar and thematic leads to align prospective philanthropic interests with programmes, projects, and GRC priority areas. The focus should be on strengthening organisational sustainability by diversifying income streams beyond institutional funding, prioritising unrestricted support, and securing multi-year
• philanthropic commitments aligned with GRC’s core pillars.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions and engagement activities within the CRM system and update internally on progress of efforts.
• Conduct due diligence and assess reputational risks.

Your Background

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 8+ years experience in a business development or a relationship management role, including successful philanthropic development, within an international scope.
• Pre-existing relationships with key donors / philanthropists / fundraisers.
• Demonstrable access to Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs), family offices, and private foundations.
• Experience leading or contributing to fundraising strategies, with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with donors at all funding capacity levels.
• Familiarity with EU and US philanthropic ecosystems.
• Experience securing 6-figure or 7-figure philanthropic funds.
• Able to work collaboratively with technical specialists and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience of concept / proposal drafting.
• Experience fundraising in justice, human rights, international law, or governance sectors
• Confidence and professionalism to represent GRC and engage in external relations both in person, via email and online.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to effectively convey potential impact.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Compatible for both independent and team work.
• Highly motivated, a natural self-starter who is proactive and hands-on.
• Fluent English language skills - verbal and written communication.