Innovation Fund Lead at International Rescue Committee

Key Responsibilities
Strategy Implementation & Development

• Drive forward the vision and strategy of the Innovation Fund to enhance its potential for impact and scale.
• Launch a new arm of the Innovation Fund that invests in external start-ups and entrepreneurs, including identifying investors and promising investment opportunities, and demonstrating measurable results in impact, scale, and cost-effectiveness.
• Determine how to optimally allocate capital (beyond project grants/investments) to increase impact at scale.

Fundraising and Partnership Management

• Support Director of Partnerships and frontline fundraisers on fundraising and external positioning of the Fund, including with ongoing investor relations, to increase capital for the Fund
• Drive Innovation Fund collateral development for investors and internal staff, including annual reports and other fundraising materials (pitch decks, concept notes, talking points, etc.)
• Shape, grow, and coordinate an external network of high-profile investors and advisors to the Fund as well as innovators and start-ups in the contexts where IRC works.
• Leverage networks to maintain an active pulse on innovations -- within and outside the humanitarian space -- relevant to IRC priorities.
• Establish strong working relationships with colleagues across the IRC to represent the Fund and source more grant opportunities.

Fund Structure and Governance

• Dynamically manage portfolio success by evaluating historical and real-time data and determine the optimal risk profile of the Fund.
• Conduct research and analysis of peer funds to enhance idea sourcing strategies.
• Serve on the internal panel that reviews and assesses internal Innovation Fund applications.
• Lead the continuous evolution and improvement of the Innovation Fund structure, including the project selection process, to enhance impact and scale.

Demonstrated Skills And Competencies

• 8+ years of relevant experience, including investing in start-ups/entrepreneurs in the Global South and/or demonstrated track record of portfolio management, and supporting early stage ventures to deliver on their growth and impact goals.
• Significant track record in fundraising and partnership development for innovation, tech, or ventures - either directly or part of a team delivering results in closing financing and partners
• Experience in setting impact vision and goals, and implementing that vision through a significant and complex portfolio
• Demonstrated experience generating data-driven models to make strategic decisions.
• Experience in developing clear communications for and delivering compelling presentations to executives; able to present complex ideas concisely.
• Experience with social impact measurement and developing / tracking metrics to measure impact
• Experience in growing new areas and capabilities of an organization, and testing / iterating with collaborators to continuously improve
• Ability to proactively identify gaps, improve processes, problem-solve, and anticipate challenges with minimal supervision
• Ability to effectively shift between strategy and day-to-day implementation