Opportunity at
One Acre FundSwitzerland Philanthropy Lead (Fixed-Term)
One Acre Fund, an organization founded in 2006 that supplies modern agricultural training, farm supplies, and credit to smallholder farmers across nine African nations, is looking…
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About This Role
One Acre Fund, an organization founded in 2006 that supplies modern agricultural training, farm supplies, and credit to smallholder farmers across nine African nations, is looking for a Switzerland Philanthropy Lead. This fixed-term contract position requires an entrepreneurial executive capable of working with high autonomy to establish and expand fundraising operations within Switzerland. The selected candidate will build local networks, secure financial support from high-net-worth donors, private foundations, and family…
Job Description
One Acre Fund, an organization founded in 2006 that supplies modern agricultural training, farm supplies, and credit to smallholder farmers across nine African nations, is looking for a Switzerland Philanthropy Lead. This fixed-term contract position requires an entrepreneurial executive capable of working with high autonomy to establish and expand fundraising operations within Switzerland. The selected candidate will build local networks, secure financial support from high-net-worth donors, private foundations, and family offices, and collaborate with program, writing, and finance teams to cultivate lasting partnerships. In addition to driving revenue growth aiming for consistent annual seven to eight figure results, the role involves representing the organization at European conferences and potentially assisting in setting up and operationalizing a new Swiss legal entity and team.
This role suits experienced development or finance professionals possessing established regional networks, an origination mindset, and the capability to manage the complete funding lifecycle. One Acre Fund offers a structured environment featuring regular feedback, career reviews, mentorship, and opportunities to impact global food security and poverty reduction efforts.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage a pipeline of prospective donors and high-net-worth individuals to secure high-value funding for the organization.
- Cultivate established donor relationships to encourage continued giving and increased financial contributions over time.
- Target private foundations, family offices, and advisers across Switzerland using local cantonal and linguistic credibility.
- Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for smallholder farmers by presenting at conferences and events throughout Europe.
- Assist in exploring, registering, forming a board for, and operationalizing a potential new legal entity in Switzerland.
- Build and lead a local team as the Swiss portfolio expands.
Requirements
- At least 10 years of relevant professional background in fundraising or comparable origination roles with increasing complexity.
- Demonstrated history of achieving consistent annual fundraising outcomes in the 7 to 8 figure range over the past five years.
- Familiarity with independently overseeing the entire fundraising cycle from initial prospecting to ongoing stewardship.
- Established networks within Swiss philanthropic circles including family offices, private foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.
- Willingness to travel between 40 and 60 nights annually.
- Proficiency in English alongside German and or French depending on the target market base.
- Citizenship or permanent residency in Switzerland.
Qualifications
- Background in the international development sector.
- Previous professional exposure working in Africa.
- Experience working in the agricultural sector.
- Familiarity operating within a social enterprise business model.
- Prior employment with philanthropic organizations.
- Established professional networks in additional markets such as the wider DACH region, the UK, or Scandinavia.
Core Skills
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Housing
- Comprehensive benefits package
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
What is the employment type for the Switzerland Philanthropy Lead position?
This position is offered as a fixed-term contract with a duration of 1 year and 5 months.
Is the role remote?
The source posting does not explicitly categorize the role as remote, hybrid, or on-site, but it specifies that the candidate will be based in Switzerland and will travel 40 to 60 nights per year.
What are the language requirements for this job?
English proficiency is mandatory, and candidates must also be proficient in German and or French depending on their market base.
Who is eligible to apply for this opening?
This opportunity is exclusively open to citizens or permanent residents of Switzerland.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications are due by January 17, 2027, though hiring is conducted on a rolling basis until a selection is made.
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