Independent Contractor

**Independent Contractor: Strategic Support for Programs and Partnerships in India**

**Overview**

citiesRISE is seeking an experienced and visionary individual to lead strategic development and partnership efforts that will mobilize funding, cultivate philanthropic and investment relationships, and elevate the citiesRISE platform globally. This engagement is anticipated to span a **two-year period**, with the opportunity for extension based on performance and organizational priorities.

We are looking for a highly skilled individual with a demonstrated track record in resource mobilization, multi-sectoral partnership building, and thought leadership. The individual will work closely with citiesRISE leadership and other key stakeholders to build the infrastructure, relationships, and strategy needed to scale the organization’s impact in India and abroad.

**Scope of Work**

The selected individual will work in close collaboration with citiesRISE leadership to:

- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to cultivate, collaborate with, and generate support from philanthropic, donor, and investment communities.
- Design and implement a relationship management system that promotes thoughtful partner engagement, knowledge exchange, resource alignment, and co-investment.
- Build and manage a robust pipeline of funders, ensuring proactive engagement and stewardship across the full life cycle of donor relationships.
- Coordinate and mobilize cross-sector relationships at city, national, and international levels to develop long-term funding plans and public-private partnerships.
- Oversee donor diligence, reporting, and compliance with grantmaker/sponsor agreements, including tracking impact metrics and delivering knowledge products.
- Elevate the public profile of citiesRISE through strategic communications and thought leadership, including development of key messaging and participation in high-level forums.
- Support planning and communications around key organizational milestones (e.g., city launches, convenings), engaging strategic partners for increased visibility and collaboration.

**Qualifications and Experience**

We invite proposals from individuals with the following qualifications:

- 15 years of professional experience, including a minimum of seven years originating, building and cultivating partnerships, fundraising and donor management for nonprofit, corporate, foundation, NGO, government entities or similar organizations.
- Experience in related fields such as global mental health, urban development, collective action, systems change, youth engagement, youth leadership, health system strengthening, technology innovation, post-conflict settings, poverty and vulnerability.
- Demonstrated experience in strategy development, high-level relationship management, and resource mobilization for complex, global initiatives.
- Track record of cultivating major philanthropic, public, and private sector partnerships
- Strong communication, negotiation, and strategic planning skills with experience navigating multicultural and multi-stakeholder environments.
- Proven experience to work independently while managing multi-lateral, inter-cultural donor programs and navigating complex sets of interests. Strong ethical standards.
- Experience representing organizations in high-level convenings and forums.
- Willingness and ability to travel both domestically in India and internationally.

**Application Requirements**

Please submit the following materials with a proposal (max 4 pages) outlining:

- Your approach to the scope of work
- Relevant experience and past engagements
- Availability to start
- Proposed fee structure or cost estimate
- A CV or organizational profile
- If selected to move forward in the process, we may request up to three references from past clients or funders. Not required to submit with the proposal.

**Job Type**: Contractual / Temporary
Contract length: 24 months

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: Remote

Application Deadline: 28/05/2025
Expected Start Date: 02/06/2025