Director, Firetree Fund

About Firetree

The Firetree Group exists to support people, organizations and networks that are building more just, equitable and inclusive communities across Southeast Asia. We do this by developing initiatives in-house and through grants and financing mechanisms to grassroots partners.

Our work centers primarily in Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, with a team that brings over 70 years of collective on-the-ground experience across child protection, case management, education, and health equity. Every team member has personally led and worked for nonprofit organizations, giving us deep contextual understanding and genuine respect for our partners' work.

Our Approach: We prioritize relationships over transactions. We connect with potential partners through trusted regional networks, spending time in communities to understand organizations across three key dimensions: leadership, mission & model, and organizational capacity. We prioritize conversations over reports, building relationships where challenges can be openly discussed. We work with organizations at all stages—from very early-stage and community-based organizations (including refugee-led ones) to more established partners.

Our contribution extends far beyond funding to include board participation (when requested), technical advice, and strategic planning support. This relationship-based approach takes time and mutual trust, but it's the foundation of effective, sustainable impact.

The Opportunity

We are establishing the Firetree Fund to amplify our most mature partners' work and provide strategic guidance to like-minded funders. The Director will work alongside the Principal to create this groundbreaking initiative that distills our methodology and extends impact through collaborative funding.

Role Overview

The Director of the Firetree Fund will lead the creation, launch, and management of this innovative fund in partnership with Asia Centre Foundation (ACF). This is a unique opportunity to codify and scale a proven, relationship-based approach to philanthropy while maintaining the trust and values that define our work.

After an immersion period with colleagues and partners, you'll work with our Principal to document our assessment methodology and partnership management approach, then translate this into systems that can serve a broader pool of funders while staying true to our values.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Principal, works closely with the CEO of Firetree Philanthropy and ACF leadership.

Key Responsibilities

1. Methodology Documentation & Systems Development

• Codify Firetree's Approach: Document our organization assessment process, relationship management methodology, and impact evaluation frameworks

• Create Replicable Systems: Develop processes that maintain our values-based approach while enabling broader funder engagement

• Quality Assurance: Ensure documentation accurately reflects our trust-based, partnership-centered philosophy

2. Fund Development & Launch

• Strategic Design: Structure the fund's operations, governance, and decision-making processes

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build relationships with potential fund members and regional advisors

• Partnership Integration: Develop mechanisms for authentic partner co-ownership and feedback

• Blueprint Creation: Establish the framework for incubating similar funds within ACF

3. Fund Management & Growth

• Donor Advisory: Provide strategic guidance to fund members on structuring giving around specific issues, geographies, or outcomes

• Research Coordination: Lead landscape scans, partner mapping, and strategic research with issue experts

• Impact Translation: Convert complex social issues into clear funding pathways and success metrics

• Relationship Stewardship: Maintain strong relationships with grant partners, ensuring transparency, learning, and mutual respect

• Governance: Convene and manage fund decision-making bodies, working groups, and regional advisors

4. External Representation & Ecosystem Building

• Sector Leadership: Represent the Firetree Fund in philanthropic forums, learning exchanges, and sector dialogues across Asia

• Partnership Development: Cultivate relationships with nonprofit partners, technical experts, funders, and intermediaries

• Collaboration Facilitation: Identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge sharing

• ACF Partnership: Support ACF's advisory services development and serve as thought partner to their Impact and Advisory team director

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

• 10+ years in philanthropy, foundations, international development, or philanthropic investing

• Proven track record working with small-scale nonprofits in Asia, with demonstrated cultural competency and regional expertise

• Grantmaking expertise with experience designing and managing funding initiatives

• Deep knowledge of social and development issues across multiple Asian countries

• Leadership experience managing and coaching teams in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

Core Competencies

• Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders including donors, NGOs, technical experts, and community leaders

• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated skill in translating vision into actionable strategies and sustainable systems

• Communication Excellence: Outstanding facilitation, written, and verbal communication skills across cultures and contexts

• Values Alignment: Strong commitment to equity, learning, and collaboration with genuine respect for grassroots expertise

• Adaptability: Creative, resilient mindset capable of thriving in fast-paced, evolving environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Regional Language Proficiency: Fluency in a Southeast Asian language in addition to English

• Impact Measurement: Experience with evaluation frameworks and impact measurement tools
  

What We Offer

This role offers the unique opportunity to shape a new model of collaborative philanthropy that centers trust, relationship, and community expertise. You'll work with a values-driven team committed to authentic partnership and sustainable impact, while building something entirely new in the philanthropic landscape.

The position requires someone who shares our belief that the most effective philanthropy is built on genuine relationships, mutual respect, and patient capital—and who can help us scale this approach without losing its essence.

Salary: S$11,000 – S$13,000 plus benefits

Firetree is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from the communities and regions where we work.