The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) has announced a vacancy for a Senior Development Officer, a key fundraising and grant-writing position supporting its global mission to advance environmental protection and human rights through legal advocacy. The role is open to candidates based remotely in the United States or Switzerland, or working from CIEL’s offices in Washington, D.C. or Geneva. Applicants must hold valid work authorization in either country. The position offers a salary range of $75,000 to $90,000, with a 12.5% salary adjustment for Switzerland-based employees. The priority application deadline is 6 July 2026, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis thereafter. Advancing Environmental Justice Through Strategic Fundraising CIEL is an international nonprofit organisation that uses legal strategies to protect the environment, promote human rights, and support a just and sustainable global society. The Senior Development Officer will play a central role in advancing the organisation’s fundraising strategy and ensuring sustained financial support for its programmes. The successful candidate will work closely with leadership, programme staff, and finance teams to develop and manage a diverse portfolio of institutional donors, primarily foundations and government funders. The role requires strong writing, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple high-value grant processes simultaneously across different stages of the funding cycle. Key Responsibilities of the Role The Senior Development Officer will be responsible for leading and coordinating grant development and donor engagement processes across the organisation. Grant Writing and Proposal Development (60%) Core responsibilities include: Writing and developing high-quality, outcomes-oriented grant proposals and reports Collaborating with programme teams to align project objectives with donor priorities Coordinating with finance teams on budgets and reporting requirements Managing proposal drafting cycles and review processes Ensuring compliance with internal and external funding requirements Producing clear, persuasive narratives for both project-based and general operating grants Portfolio Management (35%) The role also involves managing and expanding CIEL’s institutional funding base through: Maintaining and growing a portfolio of foundation and government donors Identifying and cultivating new funding prospects Managing grant renewals, reporting deadlines, and proposal submissions Updating donor information within CRM systems Organising grant documentation and ensuring accurate record-keeping Supporting improvements to internal development systems and workflows Administrative Responsibilities (5%) Additional duties include: Time tracking and administrative reporting Participation in staff meetings and performance evaluations Coordination with supervisors and organisational teams Required Experience and Skills CIEL is seeking candidates with at least five years of professional experience in institutional fundraising or development roles, particularly within nonprofit or advocacy environments. Essential qualifications include: Proven success securing mid-to-upper six-figure grants Strong grant writing and reporting experience Ability to interpret and manage grant budgets Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong organisational and project management capabilities Ability to manage multiple competing priorities under tight deadlines Experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders High attention to detail and sound judgment in handling donor information Ability to work independently and collaboratively The organisation places strong emphasis on candidates who demonstrate strategic thinking, communication excellence, and alignment with CIEL’s mission-driven work. Desired Qualifications and Tools Experience While not required, additional experience in the following areas is considered an advantage: CRM systems such as Blackbaud Remote and international work environments Google Workspace tools (Docs, Sheets) and Asana project management software Multi-country organisational structures Leading strategy discussions with cross-functional teams Project management experience Core Competencies for Success The Senior Development Officer is expected to demonstrate several key professional competencies, including: Action-oriented approach: Ability to take initiative and drive projects forward Nimble learning: Adaptability in dynamic and complex environments Effective communication: Clear, persuasive, and audience-sensitive messaging Collaboration: Ability to build strong working relationships across teams Resourcefulness: Capacity to deliver results under constraints These competencies reflect CIEL’s emphasis on strategic agility, teamwork, and mission-driven performance. Remote Work Locations and Conditions The position is open to candidates working remotely from select US states or from Switzerland, as well as those based in Washington, D.C. or Geneva offices. Eligible US states include California, New York, Virginia, Washington, and several others, provided candidates have legal work authorization. CIEL operates across multiple time zones, requiring staff to maintain overlapping working hours for coordination, typically between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm ET. The organisation supports a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility and compensatory time arrangements where necessary. Compensation and Benefits Package CIEL offers a competitive compensation structure alongside a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing and professional development. Key benefits for US-based employees include: Employer-subsidised health, dental, and vision insurance Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave 5% employer retirement contribution Relocation stipend (where applicable) Professional development funding Paid sabbatical after seven years of service Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (US-based employees) Employees in Switzerland receive a 12.5% salary adjustment in line with location-based compensation policy. Application Process and Requirements Applicants are required to submit: A current résumé A one-page cover letter outlining relevant experience and motivation Responses to application questions regarding fundraising experience and grant success The organisation is reviewing applications on a rolling basis, with the first evaluation scheduled for 6 July 2026. Early applications are strongly encouraged. CIEL has also outlined additional requirements, including verification of COVID-19 vaccination status for US-based hires and confirmation of legal work authorisation for all candidates. Advancing Environmental Law and Climate Justice For over 30 years, CIEL has worked at the intersection of environmental protection and human rights, leveraging legal advocacy to support global climate justice efforts. The Senior Development Officer role is positioned as a key contributor to sustaining and expanding the organisation’s impact through strategic fundraising and donor engagement. Qualified candidates with a strong background in nonprofit development and a commitment to environmental justice are encouraged to apply. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding. JOIN GSO WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW