Job title: Program Manager

Workplace type: Hybrid

Job location: Switzerland

Job type: Full-time

The SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) is an international platform that mobilises catalytic capital to unlock private investment in emerging markets and developing economies. Through its three-window model, SIFI drives blended finance solutions deploying catalytic capital, fuelling innovation, and strengthening ecosystems to ensure finance delivers for both people and planet.

SIFI’s mission is to mobilise $1 billion in private capital to finance the SDGs in emerging markets and developing economies by 2030. SIFI’s vision is a global financial system where private capital flows confidently toward high-impact opportunities in emerging markets enabled by the financial infrastructure to scale sustainable solutions. Impact investing is mainstream and accessible, with impact considerations embedded in every investment decision delivering sustainable returns and tangible progress on development goals.

SIFI exists to prove that development impact and financial returns go hand in hand. By strategically deploying catalytic capital, we unlock private investment at scale, maximising the efficiency of public and philanthropic funds. When paired with catalytic capital, impact strategies in emerging markets have shown strong and often resilient risk-adjusted performance, challenging outdated perceptions of risk and volatility.

We are seeking a Program Manager to join our team. In this role, you will report to the CEO and work alongside a Program Specialist and Market Development Associate. You will also closely coordinate with Partnership Lead to support fundraising efforts. You will oversee the innovation and investment portfolio across funding cycles, from initial concept through selection, contracting, management and reporting, to monitoring and evaluation. Our platform is also for transforming the structural conditions that enable impact finance to thrive through our Ecosystem Window. We tackle systemic barriers — from risk misperception and liquidity constraints to regulatory misalignments — while advancing standardisation and narrative clarity to make impact investing more accessible and mainstream. Central to this work is a strong feedback loop: collecting real-world data, applying methodological rigour, and turning insights into actionable strategies that improve the effectiveness of blended finance. By delivering and strengthening the Ecosystem Window strategy, you will ensure that capital mobilised through our Innovation and Investment Windows can scale.

Responsibilities:

- Organise and oversee Calls for Proposals from potential impact investment funds, ensuring a rigorous and inclusive selection process;

- Coordinate and collaborate with subcontractors, funders, consultants and suppliers, experts and advisors, as well as innovators and investees, maintaining strong working relationships;

- Oversee the development and ongoing use of our Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) tool, including data entry, validation and analysis;

- Report on portfolio-insights, financial and impact performance across innovators and investees for a variety of stakeholders at a range of levels including the Advisory Council, Board and funders;

- Evolve a living impact measurement and results framework to track the effectiveness of our investments, ensure alignment with our mission and systematise feedback loops for learning and adaptation;

- Ensure program compliance with funders requirements, risk management, portfolio agreements, relevant laws and regulations;

- Actively contribute ideas, energy, and enthusiasm to enhance the impact investment process and overall organisational effectiveness;

- Organise events and represent SIFI — including portfolio showcases and matchmaking to facilitate fundraising for SIFI and its portfolio.

- Support fundraising efforts by helping to shape upcoming Call for Proposal topics in line with funders’ strategic priorities, leading preliminary market scans, and providing clear, well-structured insights on SIFI’s existing portfolio to inform donor engagement.

Qualifications:

- 10 years of experience in the financial industry with comprehensive understanding of impact investing and fund/grant managing programs;

- Strong ability to assess and compare impact investment funds, including analysis of fund strategies, financial structures, risk-return profiles, governance, and impact frameworks.

- Familiarity with blended finance approaches and the integration of climate and development outcomes into investment decision-making.

- Experience with impact reporting tools and methodologies;

- Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. economics, development finance/economics, business, international relations), or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience;

- Fluency in English, both written and verbal communication — French or German is an asset;

- Detail-oriented and highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines;

- Enthusiastic about working in a mission-driven, highly collaborative, and growing team environment.

- Strong analytical and quantitative skills; proficiency and experience in using Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel;

Attributes

The ideal candidate will bring:

- Strategic thinker — leading cross-functional initiatives, analysing trends to identify opportunities, developing and executing strategic adjustments.

- Organised, proactive, and adaptable work habits, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment;

- Creative and resourceful mindset — someone who can identify solutions and improve processes with a practical, can-do attitude;

- Good judgement in navigating both routine tasks and ambiguous situations, making thoughtful decisions within set procedures and in unknown territory;

- Strong relationship-building skills, able to collaborate productively with internal team members and external stakeholders alike;

- Clear and confident communication and presentation skills;

- Most importantly, a genuine interest in impact investing and sustainable development, and the motivation to contribute meaningfully to a mission-driven organisation;

- You must have a permit to work in Switzerland or be an EU/EFTA citizen.

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter (1 page maximum) detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in joining our team to info@sdgimpactfinance.org by November 21, 2025

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Job Title: Senior Fundraising Advisor (Part-time Consultancy role)

Location: Flexible

Start Date: As soon as possible (no later than Q1 2026)

About the SDG Impact Finance Initiative

The SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) is seeking a strategic Senior Fundraising Advisor with a strong fundraising network to join us in unlocking CHF 1 billion for the SDGs by 2030.

As a dynamic ambassador to philanthropies, corporate foundations, and global family offices, you will help shape the future of impact finance. You thrive on building trust, closing catalytic partnerships, and guiding a fast-growing platform into its next phase of capital mobilisation.

The SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI) was established by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), UBS Optimus Foundation, and Credit Suisse Foundation, with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg joining in 2023, the Ursimone Wietlisbach Foundation and KOICA in 2025. Our mission is to unlock CHF 1 billion in capital for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 through bringing innovative financing models to the market, scaling them and, in parallel, nurturing the impact investing ecosystem.

We are redoubling our fundraising efforts and are looking for a dynamic and mission-aligned Senior Fundraising Advisor to lead funder acquisition, provide guidance, and cultivate high-value funder relationships.

Role Overview

At SIFI, public–private partnership is woven into our DNA. To expand this model, we are looking for a Senior Fundraising Advisor who can champion and scale the private capital dimension—acting as an ambassador to philanthropies, family offices, corporate foundations, and other global private funders. Your core mandate will be to source, cultivate, and close new relationships, securing concessional capital commitments with a focus on major and catalytic contributions (CHF 5 million+). You will report directly to the CEO and collaborate closely with the Partnership Lead.

This position requires a seasoned fundraiser with an entrepreneurial mindset, extensive funder networks, and a proven track record of closing high-value funding agreements. The ideal candidate will also strengthen organisational fundraising capacity by embedding best practices and supporting the integration of funder engagement tools.

Key Responsibilities

Funder Acquisition & Cultivation

- Proactively identify, engage, and close new high-value funder partnerships—targeting philanthropies, family offices, corporate foundations.

- Expand a pipeline of prospects aligned with SIFI’s value proposition and funding priorities (e.g., blended finance for impact funds, first-loss capital, program-related investments (PRI)).

- Participate in key global convenings (e.g., GIIN Forum, Building Bridges), serving as a connector and ambassador to cultivate new relationships aligned with SIFI’s priorities.

Proposal Development

- Tailor compelling proposals, concept notes, and pitch materials for large-scale funder engagement in collaboration with the Partnerships Lead and Marketing Advisor.

- Design contribution structures (e.g., flexible capital instruments like PRIs, guarantees, or membership models) tailored to funder needs.

Internal Capacity Building

- Work with the Partnerships Lead and Marketing Advisor to implement CRM and outreach systems for funder tracking and reporting.

- Contribute to refining our calls for proposals (CfPs) to appeal to a diversified funder base.

- Support the development and implementation of structures and processes that are compatible with PRI requirements, enabling SIFI to attract and manage investment-oriented capital.

Strategic Collaboration

- Leverage networks of our Board and Advisory Council to open doors and accelerate relationship-building.

- Contribute to the overall fundraising strategy and collaborate across the team to align external outreach with organisational priorities.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• 10+ years of experience in strategic fundraising, capital mobilisation, or business development (preferably within impact investing, philanthropy and development finance).

• Demonstrated track record of securing multi-million-dollar commitments from foundations, multilateral agencies and impact-first investors.

• Extensive global funder network (preferably across the US, Europe, and Asia).

• Strong strategic thinking and negotiation skills with experience designing innovative financing or investment structures (e.g., PRIs, guarantees, catalytic capital).

• Proven capacity to operate autonomously, drive processes from concept to closure, and deliver under pressure.

Desirable

• Experience working with family offices, philanthropy actors including corporate foundations, or public-private finance platforms.

• Experience and/or networks in a large foundation.

• Familiarity with SDG-aligned finance, blended finance vehicles, and impact measurement frameworks.

• Fluency in English; other languages (especially French or German) are a plus.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Relationship Builder – able to cultivate and manage high-trust relationships with diverse stakeholders

• Persuasive Communicator – skilled in framing compelling narratives for funders at senior level

• Results-Oriented – focused on delivering capital outcomes and hitting fundraising milestones

• Adaptable and Entrepreneurial – thrives in a lean, evolving, cross-cultural environment

• Collaborative Spirit – comfortable partnering with internal teams while operating independently

To apply, please send your CV and a concise proposal (2 page max) explaining your relevant experience, track record, approach to fundraising, proposed fee structure, and in joining our team to info@sdgimpactfinance.org with the subject: “Senior Fundraising Advisor Application”.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! At the moment, we do not have any open positions. However, we encourage you to check back in the future or follow our social media channels for updates on job opportunities.