Development Specialist

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview: The Development Specialist is a junior-level position providing hands-on fundraising, communications, and administrative support to the IRC Bay Area Development team, with a particular focus on the annual End-of-Year Appeal. Reporting to the Development Director, the Specialist will assist with fundraising campaigns, donor acknowledgments, direct mail and digital communications, client storytelling, and institutional fundraising activities, including prospect research and Letters of Inquiry (LOIs).

This execution-focused role supports established fundraising priorities and activities under the guidance of the Development Director. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, a strong writer, and comfortable balancing administrative and creative responsibilities. Experience with Salesforce, mail merges, bulk email platforms, and social media content creation is preferred.

This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.

Major Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Donor Relations (40%)

• Provide hands-on support for the execution of annual fundraising campaigns, with a particular focus on the End-of-Year Appeal.
• Prepare direct mail fundraising materials, including addressing envelopes, printing, assembling packets, and coordinating mailings.
• Generate and organize donor mailing lists and prepare personalized communications using Salesforce and mail merge tools.
• Draft, format, proofread, and distribute fundraising appeals, solicitation letters, and other donor-facing materials.
• Prepare and distribute donor tax acknowledgment letters, handwritten thank-you cards, and personalized stewardship communications using approved procedures.
• Support donor cultivation, recognition, and follow-up activities as directed by the Development Director.
• Maintain campaign calendars, track assigned deliverables, and ensure fundraising activities are completed according to established deadlines.

Communications, Storytelling & Digital Engagement (35%)

• Draft, edit, and distribute communications materials, including electronic newsletters, fundraising appeals, website content, impact reports, and other digital and print materials.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify and document compelling client stories, including supporting interviews, gathering testimonials and approved photographs, and developing impact narratives for fundraising and communications purposes, in accordance with IRC's informed consent and safeguarding protocols.
• Develop marketing and fundraising collateral, including program one-pagers, concept notes, fact sheets, brochures, and donor presentations that highlight IRC's programs, impact, and funding needs.
• Create graphics and digital assets using Canva or similar platforms, following established IRC branding and templates.
• Support social media campaigns, including drafting, scheduling, and monitoring content to increase awareness and donor engagement.
• Prepare and distribute bulk email communications using Salesforce, Pardot, or similar platforms.
• Track basic social media and email campaign engagement metrics to support communications reporting.

Development Operations & Salesforce Management (15%)

• Maintain accurate donor and prospect records in Salesforce, including contact information, gift records, communication history, and stewardship activities.
• Generate donor lists, mailing exports, and basic fundraising reports to support campaign execution and donor engagement.
• Assist with donor database cleanup, segmentation, data entry, and quality control.
• Prepare bulk communications and mail merges using Salesforce, Microsoft Word, Excel, and other relevant platforms.
• Maintain organized electronic files, campaign tracking tools, and development calendars.
• Provide general administrative and logistical support for fundraising events, donor engagement activities, and special projects as assigned.

Institutional Fundraising & Prospect Research (10%)

• Assist with drafting and submitting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) and introductory funding requests to pre-approved institutional prospects, using established templates and program information.
• Conduct basic prospect research and prepare brief donor summaries to support fundraising outreach.
• Adapt existing concept notes, program descriptions, and impact materials for prospective institutional donors.
• Track submission deadlines, outreach activities, and follow-up communications in Salesforce or other established systems.
• Provide administrative support for institutional fundraising activities as assigned by the Development Director, following required internal review and approval procedures.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Development Director 

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Volunteer & Donations Coordinator, Grants Managers, direct service Program Managers, Site Directors, Executive Director

External: Individual donors, corporations, faith-based organizations, schools, and community organizations offering volunteer, cash and in-kind support. 

Job Requirements:

• Strong written communication, editing, and proofreading skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

• Ability to independently complete assigned tasks while following established instructions and procedures.

• Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM systems preferred.

• Familiarity with mail merges, bulk email communications, or mass mailing platforms preferred.

• Familiarity with social media content creation and Canva preferred.

• Strong research skills and ability to draft clear, professional correspondence.

• Willingness to perform routine administrative tasks, including preparing high-volume mailings.

• Ability to manage competing deadlines and communicate proactively about progress.

• Ability to handle confidential donor information appropriately.

• Strong commitment to the IRC's mission and core values.

Working Environment

• Combination of office-based and remote work.
• Evening and weekend hours will be required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license with legally required insurance as position may require using own transportation within the service delivery area. Mileage reimbursement is available.

Compensation: ($26/hr - $27/hr). Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Benefits: Employees are eligible for a 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match (immediate vesting) along with a non-elective employer contribution based on age and years of service (3-year vesting), paid sick leave in accordance with policy, and access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counseling and mental health support for employees and their families.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.