Position Summary
FAWE seeks to recruit a highly talented Senior Business Development Officer. This individual will be responsible for building an increasingly diversified network of supporters, including institutional partners, corporate entities, academia, policymakers, donors, and other stakeholders who share FAWE’s vision. These supporters will provide funds, technical support, and other forms of collaboration to meet FAWE’s current and future needs.
The position holder will also be responsible for establishing and promoting the FAWE RS brand regionally and internationally. They will raise awareness about the organization’s work at various forums and ensure transparent information sharing with the public. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of various media sources and the development sector.
This role is responsible for providing leadership in the resource mobilization strategy in response to emerging opportunities and challenges.
Contract Type: This position is for a fixed term of three years with a possibility of extension based on funds availability and performance.
Location: The Senior Business Development Officer will be based in the FAWE Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent regional travel
Reporting to: Executive Director
Functional Relationships: The Senior Business Development Officer will work closely with the Deputy Executive Director, Finance and Administration Director and all FAWE Regional Secretariat employees, FAWE’s 34 National Chapters, Civil Society Organizations, donors and regional and sub- regional policy bodies, among others.
Direct Reportees: None
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Resource Mobilization Strategy and Implementation:
• Facilitate the implementation/operationalization of FAWE Resource Mobilization Strategy, including a 5-year funding needs assessment and a Resource Mobilization Manual with standard operating procedures.
2. Donor Research and Proposal Development
• Conduct research on potential donors/partners, including trusts, foundations, companies, and high net worth individuals.
• Draft appealing proposals and concepts for diverse sources, including development partners, corporate entities, academia, policymakers, philanthropists, and foundations.
3. Donor Relations and Partnership Management
• Establish and strengthen donor relations, maintaining effective communication and ensuring donors are consistently and timely informed on important operational issues.
• Build a diverse partnership base, including the private sector, in line with FAWE’s Strategic Plan.
4. Resource Mobilization Events and Campaigns
• Organize resource mobilization events, such as Donor Round Tables, to engage potential donors and partners.
5. Capacity Building and Internal Advocacy
• Build staff capacity on resource mobilization at all levels, developing tools and skills to aid staff in resource mobilization.
• Internally advocate for resource mobilization by sensitizing staff on its importance.
6. Reporting and Communication
• Collaborate with the Knowledge Management team to ensure efficient and timely reporting processes that enhance donor trust and build FAWE’s credibility.
• Contribute to an annual work plan, budget, and activities, ensuring close collaboration with relevant departments.
Qualification and Requirements
Educational Background
• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Finance, Business Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
Professional Experience
• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in developing fundraising strategies, institutional resource mobilization, and building business portfolios, with at least 7 years in the NGO sector.
• Proven understanding of the development sector, donor relations, and grants management.
Language Proficiency
• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is an added advantage.
Communication Skills
• Excellent writing, editorial, and business-oriented verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
Stakeholder and Strategic Management
• Demonstrated experience in managing external stakeholder relationships (e.g., donors and implementing partners).
• Ability to navigate political and strategic discussions objectively and diplomatically.
• Experience in structuring and analyzing quantitative and financial models to inform decision-making.
Personal Attributes
• Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills.
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in computer applications and office 365.
• Skill in developing sources for data collection; good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Specific knowledge, skills and behavioral competencies
• Demonstrate understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and put the end beneficiary first.
• Strong interpersonal skills working in diverse / multicultural teams.
• Able to multitask in a fast-paced, often rapidly changing environment.
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Drupal, and CRM tools.
• Proactiveness and strong attention to details.
• Capable of working under pressure and handling stress.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to FAWE’s values and mandate.
Application Procedure
Review of applications will begin as soon as they are received, and only complete applications will be reviewed. If an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, we reserve the right to appoint before the deadline.
For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply at the earliest possible opportunity. Please submit a detailed CV and a Covering letter to the Executive Director via email address [email protected] with the subject line FAWE- Senior Business Development Officer by latest 10th August 2024.
