Development Director

Meet Water For Life Haiti

Water For Life is a non-profit Christian organization established in the USA and registered as an NGO in Haiti, founded in 1983. Our mission is to demonstrate the Love of God to the Haitian people by empowering their communities. This is primarily accomplished through providing access to clean drinking water and irrigation by drilling wells, supporting academic and spiritual education through initiatives like the Divine Help School and Life Learning Center, and delivering quality healthcare to underserved populations via our mobile clinic program. The organization is committed to improving the quality of life for Haitians, particularly in remote areas lacking basic services, while operating with love, respect, honesty, and transparency towards both staff and beneficiaries.

About the Chief Development Director

Water for Life Haiti is looking for a person who will be responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program that includes major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving, and special events. The successful candidate will work closely with the Board of Directors to develop fundraising goals and strategies.

The Development Director’s responsibilities include:

• Planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program to meet the mission’s annual revenue goals.
• Developing fundraising goals and strategies in close collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Updating websites, monthly newsletter, and keeping social media up to date. This includes potentially writing parts of the monthly newsletter after receiving content from Haiti.
• Identifying and cultivating major gift prospects, as well as corporate and foundation donors. This involves getting out to meet people, on social media, or in person, and generating new leads for interested donors.
• Planning and executing special events that engage donors and raise funds, such as banquets and golf outings. This person will have the freedom to create the strategy for these events.
• Representing the organization in public forums, media, and community events to raise awareness and support for the mission.
• Monitoring and analyzing fundraising data to evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed.
• Traveling to meet donors and identify new ones, including potentially using an organizational van for local travel or flying for longer distances.
• Making 1-2 trips to Haiti annually to see the work and connect with the team on the ground, including the director in Haiti, Edy Gehy.
• Learning about and respecting the culture and work in Haiti, particularly through the guidance of the Haitian Director, Edy Gehy.
• Engaging with people relationally to build committed teams in various areas for events like banquets.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Development Director:

Education and experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university is preferred 
• 5 or more years of experience in Fundraising and/or Development is required. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

Fundraising Expertise:

Communication and Marketing Skills:

• Proficiency in conveying ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to update websites, monthly newsletters, and maintain social media presence.
• Skill in representing the organization in public forums, media, and community events to raise awareness and support.
• Ability to learn and effectively communicate the organization’s messaging, style, and culture.

Relationship Building & Engagement:

• Being a highly relational and outgoing “people person” who is comfortable around others.
• Ability to build strong relationships with people, which is considered key..
• Skill in connecting well with the existing donor base, which is aging, and also engaging younger generations..
• Ability to build committed teams for events in various locations

Cultural Competence & Humility:

• Respect and appreciation for different cultures, especially Haitian culture.
• Ability to be patient and listen carefully to the Haitian team and the Director.
• Possessing a servant and learner attitude, avoiding a “we know better,” “we’ll fix it,” or “savior” mentality.

Leadership & Strategic Thinking:

• Motivational leadership skills that inspire others and foster a sense of purpose.
• Visionary thinking to see the bigger picture and inspire others toward the shared mission and goals.
• Ability to develop and propose fundraising strategies to the board.

Faith and Mission Alignment:

• A deep commitment to the mission of the organization, grounded in personal faith.
• A passion for service and community improvement, specifically a love for the Haitian people.
• A genuine love for the Lord and a sense of calling to do this work, recognizing it as a mission, not just a job.

Adaptability and Resilience:

• Flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances, priorities, and environments, which is especially important given the challenges in Haiti.
• Capacity to handle challenges, setbacks, and stress while maintaining a positive attitude.

Travel Capability:

• Willingness and ability to travel extensively within the US for donor meetings and events.
• Willingness and ability to make 1-2 trips to Haiti annually to see the work and connect with the team on the ground.

Personal characteristics and qualifications

• Faith-driven Passion: A deep commitment to the mission of the organization, grounded in personal faith, which drives a passion for service and community improvement.
• Integrity: A strong ethical foundation and commitment to transparency, honesty, and accountability in all actions.
• Empathy: The ability to understand and relate to the needs and concerns of community members, fostering trust and collaboration.
• Resilience: The capacity to handle challenges, setbacks, and stress while maintaining a positive attitude and focus on solutions.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances, priorities, and environments, especially in the field.
• Visionary Thinking: The ability to see the bigger picture and inspire others toward a shared mission and goals.
• Strong Communication Skills: Proficiency in conveying ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Team-oriented Mindset: A collaborative spirit that values teamwork, encouraging input and participation from team members and community stakeholders.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Respect and appreciation for different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, which is crucial for working effectively in diverse communities.
• Motivational Leadership: The ability to inspire and motivate others, fostering a sense of purpose and commitment among team members.