Chief Development Officer

Organization Overview

Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization.

MSF helps people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries. Its teams comprise tens of thousands of health professionals as well as logistics and administrative staff bound together by MSF’s charter. MSF’s work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. MSF is a nonprofit, self-governed, member-based organization.

MSF USA supports the organization’s medical humanitarian action through staff recruitment, fundraising, communications and awareness-raising, and advocacy in the United States. MSF USA is one of 24 MSF sections worldwide. Each is governed by an association made up of current and former MSF staff members who elect a board of directors, define strategic direction, and hold the section accountable for its work.

At a time when many nonprofits are navigating funding uncertainty due to cuts in government grants, MSF’s financial model provides stability and autonomy. By relying on private, largely unrestricted funding rather than government support, MSF safeguards its independence and humanitarian medical principles, preserves flexibility in how and where it responds, and maintains a strong foundation for long-term sustainability.

Context for Recruitment & Position Summary

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) provides vision, strategic management, and leadership to implement effective fundraising operations in the US Market in alignment with global movement-wide strategy The Chief Development Officer leads a more than 90-person Development Department accountable to raise more than $800 million annually and provides strategic fundraising leadership across the international MSF community.

The CDO will advance the Development Department while centering MSF’s global mission in all activities and prioritizing alignment with the broader organization’s palpable, well-established culture – a culture which centers humanitarian medical field work above all, organizational independence vis-à-vis its funding sources, an egalitarian openness to new perspectives, and a systematic approach to decision making in a large, complex organization. Acknowledging the prominence of MSF USA’s contributions to global MSF fundraising (constituting nearly 30% of total global funding) and disparities in the fundraising strategies and tactics of MSF sections internationally, it is important the CDO actively foster an ethos of mutual respect, common values, and collaborative partnership in solidarity with MSF section counterparts. The CDO will model diplomacy in balancing local and global priorities as well as shared responsibility in the ongoing enhancement of all MSF fundraising worldwide. 

A core charge for the CDO is to strengthen MSF USA’s capability and outcomes in high-touch major and legacy giving and to sustain its considerable historic strength in the broad-based direct response fundraising and digital philanthropy that has yielded the unrestricted giving essential to organizational independence. This leader must maintain a whole-picture perspective that recognizes the varied and complementary elements of MSF USA’s successful fundraising efforts and ongoing importance thereof in future success. They will judiciously promote a culture of philanthropy across MSF USA whereby stakeholders on an organization-wide scale experience increasing comfort with mission-focused, culturally aligned fundraising, and key leaders are strategically engaged and supported as partners in fundraising, particularly in relation to the highest potential major and legacy giving initiatives.

The CDO must be able to execute a clearly articulated departmental strategy that aligns with the organization’s priorities. They will ensure a stable Development Department – prioritizing staff retention and morale – and fundraising infrastructure that is both durable and flexible in responding to a fluid external and operational landscape.

 
Candidate Profile

While MSF USA will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will align with the following:

Minimum Qualifications & Competencies

• Fifteen years of progressive experience in development roles, including at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity. Demonstrated success building and managing effective fundraising organizations and achieving and exceeding revenue targets for a sustained period. Proven ability to evaluate and innovate to expand and initiate new fundraising programs. Leadership experience in large, complex environments and in an international context is preferred.
• An established track record, as a senior development leader, of increasing revenue and achieving aggressive fundraising goals from diverse constituencies in a complex multicultural environment, including the following: strategic planning and execution; facilitative and collaborative management and leadership of large diverse teams; change management; and budget development and management, including financial reporting and analysis.
• Demonstrated organizational and strategic approach to fundraising with previous experience creating development strategies tied to clear objectives; a strong understanding of strategy; ability to understand the big picture, and skilled in organizational change and dynamics.
• Strategic aptitude in branding and marketing communications, including the creation and refinement of compelling storytelling, digital fluency, social media content development, leveraging of multi-channel marketing approaches to accomplish goals and objectives, and the interpretation and application of data to drive corresponding initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to champion and motivate staff and organizations to embrace new approaches, such as the personalization of fundraising and the use of new platforms to reach donors.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as team player and collaborator; ability to engage other senior staff and co-create new initiatives.
• Track record in building and implementing practices, systems, and incentives that enable effective use of data to support excellent supporter engagement.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to simplify and communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• A successful track record in taking calculated risks that foster creativity and innovation while maintaining the health of organizational revenue; encouraging others to do the same in pursuit of expanded channels, approaches, and donor bases.
• Outstanding oral and written communication and presentation skills to represent MSF in public venues as a thought leader.
• Deep commitment to the humanitarian action of MSF, and to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles in the workplace.
• Formal educational background in fundraising (such as CFRE Certification), business administration, and/or marketing preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

Complexity & Problem-Solving Skills

• Operates as a recognized expert to shift into and out of a mental mindset associated with assessing the facts and circumstances of the current situation and/or environment and making the appropriate/innovative adjustments to thinking and work habits to thrive in any scenario. Typically known as a subject matter authority.
• Applies expertise to act as an authority to accurately identify and understand the key donation influences pertaining to an opportunity.
• Applies expertise to act as an authority to quickly and effectively establish trust within the client’s organization.
• Applies expertise to act as an authority to orient MSF USA around delivering to the key needs of their donors.

Behavioral Competencies

Thought: How MSF USA staff understand the organization, manage complexity, and contribute by creating the new and different.

• People Focus – Builds strong relationships and delivers solutions geared to aiding others. Solicits feedback and data; conveys a clear understanding of the level of service the team is providing; takes action when standards are not met by team; aligns processes with organizational needs.
• Manages Complexity – Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. Consistently looks at complex issues from many angles; obtains a rich and deep understanding; swiftly cuts to the core issue; skillfully separates root causes from symptoms.
• Global Perspective – Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens. Shows global thinking at work; adjusts organizational practices to meet the unique needs of different regions or countries. Uses a broad perspective when addressing issues and challenges.
• Cultivates Innovation – Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Approaches professional work in unique or innovative ways. Offers original ideas. Appreciates others' creative ideas and solutions and provides helpful input to enhance them.
• Strategic Mindset – Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.

Results: MSF USA staff achieve results by cultivating a forward-thinking environment that produces solutions for changing stakeholder needs.

• Drives Results – Consistently achieves results, even under tough circumstances. Regularly pushes self to achieve outstanding outcomes; consistently establishes bold goals for own performance; is passionate about excellent results and significant contributions. Shows great tenacity to complete goals/initiatives in a timely way.
• Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.

People: MSF USA staff understand their impact on others through collaboration and inclusion of different perspectives to achieve common goals.

• Collaborates – Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Readily involves others to accomplish goals; stays in touch and shares information; discourages "us versus them" thinking; shows appreciation for others' ideas and input.
• Communicates Effectively – Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens attentively and takes an interest. Keeps others well informed; conveys information clearly, concisely, and professionally when speaking or writing.
• Values Differences – Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Confronts stereotyping and offensive comments promptly. Consistently behaves with great sensitivity toward differences in cultural norms, expectations, and ways of communicating.
• Builds Effective Teams – Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Manages Conflict – Handles conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
• Builds Networks – Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Drives Vision & Purpose – Paints a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

Self: MSF USA staff demonstrate self-awareness by having an open mindset and by continuously seeking opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.

• Instills Trust – Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Models honesty and authenticity and encourages others to be up front with one another. Demonstrates reliability and places a strong emphasis on the team meeting its commitments. Fairly represents others' positions.
• Manages Ambiguity – Operates effectively, even when things are not certain or the way forward is not clear. Responds effectively to unclear situations, seeks to resolve ambiguity and make progress. Seeks guidance on how to adapt to changes, responds with appropriate composure and effectiveness.
• Situational Adaptability – Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.
• Being Resilient – Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.

 
Technical Competencies

• Plans & Aligns – Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with MSF USA goals.
• Financial Acumen – Interprets and applies understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
• Tech Savvy – Anticipating and adopting innovations in organizational digital and technology applications.
• Data Collection & Analysis – The ability and skill to determine and analyze trends from data that is collected to assist in compiling reports that will help in decision-making.
• Project Management Skills – The ability and skill to plan and manage small project work assignments within desired cost, time, and quality parameters.
• Presentation & Written Communication Skills – Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations. Serves as an example of adaptability and provides guidance and support to help others adapt to new situations. Considers the needs of clients, constituents, and the organization; shifts priorities appropriately.
• Organizational Insight – Applying knowledge of MSF USA and the industry to advance the organization’s goals.

Travel Requirements

• Must be willing to travel for work as needed.

 
Equal Opportunity and Accommodations Statement

MSF USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. MSF USA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws.

MSF USA also provides reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact MSF USA at [email protected].

MSF USA strongly encourages individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

MSF USA has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of DSG | Koya to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link or directed to the leader of the search team:

https://talent-profile.dsgco.com/search/v2/22934

 Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Global Managing Partner and Practice Founder, DSG Fundraising & Advancement
[email protected] | 212.542.2587