Business Development & Partnerships Officer at Akili Dada

Deliverables

Fundraising Strategy Development Activities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that aligns with Akili Dada’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and institutional mandate.
• Identify and prioritize fundraising targets, including high-priority, medium-priority, and other priority prospects.
• Conduct market research (external) and needs assessment (internal) to identify new fundraising opportunities.
• Analyze market trends and donor landscapes to identify opportunities and threats.
• Build a pipeline of potential funders and partners that align with Akili Dada’s values and mission.
• Work with internal teams to use Akili Dada’s program impacts to boost fundraising efforts.

Business Development

• Establish and strengthen donor and partner networks in Kenya, across Africa, and globally, including the United States and Europe (including Nordic Countries).
• Develop strategic partnerships with organizations that align with our values and mission.
• Create a systematic process for identifying, cultivating, and managing potential donors, allowing for better tracking and engagement from initial contact to becoming regular contributors.
• Work with Akili Dada’s team and volunteers to organize fundraising online and offline fundraising events and campaigns including donor round tables
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of fundraising projects and initiatives.
• Identify and lead Akili Dada’s participation in strategic conferences and events that align with our mission and objectives to enhance visibility and impact.
• Represent Akili Dada at conferences and events, actively engaging with stakeholders and potential partners to further our mission.
• Plan and host donor roundtables that bring together key stakeholders, providing a platform for meaningful discussions and fostering strong relationships with contributors.

Leadership & Reporting

• Lead regular and timely donor reporting efforts, detailing the impact of contributions as well as the progress and outcomes of funded projects.
• Collaborate with the Communications department to develop and distribute newsletters and updates to keep Akili Dada’s stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Coordinate with internal teams to gather necessary data and information for donor reports.
• Schedule and conduct donor meetings to provide updates and discuss future opportunities.
• Maintain a donor database to track reporting schedules and donor preferences.
• Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to Business Development & Partnerships.
• Prepare regular reports for Senior Management and the Board of Directors.
• Work with Finance to develop and manage fundraising budgets for the organization.

Stakeholder Management and Engagement

• Organize appreciation events and recognition programs for donors to acknowledge their contributions.
• Respond promptly to donor inquiries and feedback to foster trust and satisfaction.
• Segment donors based on their interests and giving capacity to tailor engagement strategies.
• Conduct surveys and feedback sessions to understand donor preferences and improve engagement efforts.
• Utilize donor management software to track interactions, donations, and engagement history for better relationship management.
• Ignite and enhance alumnae engagement through targeted fundraising initiatives.

Proposal Development and Grant Writing

• Research and identify potential grant opportunities that align with Akili Dada’s mission and programs.
• Prepare compelling grant proposals that effectively communicate the organization’s needs, goals, and impact.
• In collaboration with the Finance and Operations Manager develop budgets and financial plans for grant proposals, ensuring they are accurate and align with the project objectives.
• Collaborate with internal teams to gather necessary information and data for grant applications.
• Ensure all grant proposals are submitted on time and meet the requirements of the funding organizations.
• Provide oversight and capacity building to the internal team in the development of grant proposals, including training and mentoring staff in grant writing techniques.
• Track and manage the grant application process, including maintaining records of submissions and follow-up actions.
• Monitor and report on the progress of funded projects to ensure compliance with grant requirements and to demonstrate impact to funders.
• Build and maintain relationships with grant-making organizations and foundations to enhance future funding opportunities.
• Provide oversight and capacity building to the internal team in the development of grant proposals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or related field.
• 5-7 years of proven business development experience in the non-profit, social impact, corporate and/or start-up space.

Skills and abilities

• Strong network with the ability to proactively seek new financial and partnership opportunities both regionally and internationally including through crowdfunding and online campaign experience.
• Proven experience working with international donors, corporates and philanthropists and the ability to fundraise for annual budgets of USD 2 million+.
• Experience in building long-term relationships with stakeholders and networks.
• Proven experience working with senior leadership teams.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills with the ability to collaborate and work well with others regardless of position, background or geographical location.
• Ability to flourish with minimal guidance, be proactive, and manage risk and uncertainty.
• Ability to travel as needed and attend after-hours work events.