We are hiring an Innovation Fund Lead who will drive the IRC’s Innovation Fund to the next stage of growth, unlocking its full impact and scale potential. In this role, you will (i) push the ambition and drive the implementation of the Fund’s strategic vision as well as an external network of high-profile investors and advisors to the Fund; (ii) position the Fund to increase its size and scope and articulate its value proposition internally and externally, and (iii) continuously evolve and improve the Innovation Fund structure, including launching a new model for investing in external start-ups and entrepreneurs in the contexts where IRC operates.
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