Philanthropy Research Intern

**About MSF**

Doctors without Borders (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation committed to two objectives: providing medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion, natural and man-made disasters; and speaking out about the plight of the populations assisted. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. Today, MSF is present in more than 70 countries, where thousands of MSF doctors, nurses, logisticians, water-and-sanitation experts, and other medical and non-medical professionals work together to bring essential health services to people caught in humanitarian crises.

MSF SA’s fundraising department is responsible for raising private funding, predominantly from individuals, to support our humanitarian mission and our activities in the Southern African region.

**Purpose of the job**:
The Prospect Researcher at MSF Southern Africa (MSF SA) will be part of the One-to-One team in the Fundraising Unit. A prospect researcher is instrumental in helping the team identify and build a portfolio of specific individuals, corporates, trusts and foundations by providing key information on current and potential new supporters.

**Department**:Fundraising

**Reports to**:Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships

**Job Overvie**:
Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, the Prospect Researcher supports the growth of MSF SA’s Major donor, corporate, trust and foundation (called One-to-One) revenue program and the relationship management activities of front line fundraisers:

- By identifying individuals and organisations who will have the propensity, affinity and capacity to give to MSF SA
- By researching and providing contact and other relevant information on the current portfolio (of major donors, trusts & foundations and corporate donors)
- By collecting necessary data and preparing reports
- By maintaining an updated planning to deliver grant proposals and reports in due time

We are looking for a proactive and analytical individual with a commitment to confidentiality and high ethical standards. The Prospect Researcher will have the ability to synthesize and translate his/her research into practical suggestions/actions to the One-to-One team fundraising goals.

The Prospect Researcher will have to be an individual with an interest in prospect identification and research. He or she should be highly computer literate with high level oral, written communication and data presentation.

**Key Task and Responsibilities**:
**Prospect Research and management;**
- Identify and qualify new prospects by researching and analysing individuals, foundations, and corporations for their potential interest in MSF, giving potential, and propensity to donate.
- Conduct prospective donor research, including identifying active mid-level donors for potential upgrade through active data mining, rating and ranking.
- Rate donors (lapsed or mid-level) and prospects in terms of inclination and capacity, and consult with fundraising team on cultivation and solicitation strategies, including participation in prospect review and pipeline management sessions.
- Maintain a robust qualitative report tracking system for major donors and prospects including the recording of meetings, outcomes, next steps and follow up strategy.
- Write confidential research profiles on individual, corporate and foundation donors/prospects for meetings and strategic planning, and prepare background briefing notes for staff in preparation for donor/prospect meetings.

**Administrative support to the Philanthropy unit**:

- Participate in donor meeting debriefings with the One-to-One team and other staff/volunteers as needed/requested to ensure outcomes and next steps are recorded and donor profiles and research notes are updated appropriately.
- Provide administrative support to the One-to-One team in recording donor/prospect contacts and moves as requested.
- Collect data to fulfil the reporting needs
- Keep current of all recent trends in the Southern Africa NGO sector, the culture of philanthropy (especially in Africa), prospect research and incorporate any relevant information into briefing materials and regularly report on opportunities to appropriate staff.
- Monitor policies and procedures for the prospect research program and update protocols relating to prospect management and donor confidentiality (POPIA ACT and GDPR).
- Other duties as required to ensure the continued success in MSF SA’s Fundraising activities.

**Requirements**:
**Education;**
- Relevant tertiary qualification in marketing, business administration, data sciences.

**Knowledge and skills;**
- Excellent analytical skills and ability to locate and interpret financial and biographical information from a variety of sources.
- Demonstrate deep understanding of prospect research methodology and donor cycle.
- Demonstrate proficiency i