Development Officer at Girls Not Brides

INTRODUCTION TO THE ROLE

• Girls Not Brides is seeking a talented Development Officer to join a small, high-performing team and support fundraising delivery across prospecting, proposal development, donor stewardship and team operations. The Development Officer will keep the fundraising engine running by coordinating the key processes and systems that underpin effective operations. Additionally, they will help identify new funding opportunities, coordinate and contribute to high-quality funding proposals and donor reporting and support the management of donor relationships. This is a varied and collaborative role offering excellent development opportunities for an early-career fundraiser looking to build experience across the full fundraising cycle. The role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, excellent communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and global environment.

ABOUT YOU

• We are seeking an efficient and proactive fundraising professional with excellent communication and relationship-building skills, alongside strong coordination and operational capabilities. A true team player, you maintain composure and sound judgement in a fast-paced environment, and you approach challenges with optimism and pragmatism. You excel at managing deadlines, systems and processes, and enjoy researching and identifying new funding opportunities and supporting the development of compelling fundraising proposals, donor communications and stewardship activities. 
• You are comfortable working with a range of stakeholders and can manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail. You are collaborative, curious and motivated to learn, and you take a solutions-focused approach to your work. You are committed to Girls Not Brides' mission and values and are excited by the opportunity to contribute to an ambitious fundraising strategy that supports efforts to end child marriage globally.

Job location

Nairobi (Kenya) or New Delhi (India)

• Working as a global team, all Girls Not Brides’ team members may from time to time be expected to work outside normal working hours (e.g., early morning or early evening); this is not a regular occurrence and is only to accommodate collaboration of teams across different time zones. This role may require occasional international travel to support events, as necessary.

Accountable To

Development Manager

Salary range

• Market competitive based on a detailed survey by the Birches Group of comparable national NGO salaries in selected location. Payments will be made in local currency of where it is located. 

Contract

• This is a fixed term contract for 2 years. The successful candidate must have the right to work in India or Kenya at the time of applying, and for the full duration of the two-year contract.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Coordination, Systems & Delivery

• Ensure effective fundraising delivery by tracking deadlines and reporting requirements, maintaining accurate donor and prospect records, and supporting high-quality data, reporting and workflow management across fundraising systems (Excel, Monday.com).
• Contribute to the identification, development and continuous improvement of team systems, tools, and processes.
• Support the preparation and implementation of donor-facing and fundraising-related events, including developing briefing materials and coordinating logistics.
• Coordinate updates and inputs from the Development Team for internal communications, including the Whole Team Newsletter, and organise inductions sessions for new starters.

Prospecting, Pipeline Development & Conversion

• Research, identify, and monitor prospective funders aligned with Girls Not Brides’ strategy and funding priorities, supporting relationship development and cultivation activities.
• Contribute to prospect qualification and ranking, providing recommendations for pursuit and/or prioritisation.
• Maintain and update prospect pipeline records, ensuring prospect information, engagement activities and next steps are accurately captured and monitored.
• Conduct due diligence on prospective donors to ensure value alignment.
• Carry out desk-based research, including monitoring and analysing child marriage and gender equality funding trends, to inform prospecting, positioning and organisational understanding of funding landscape.
• Coordinate and support non-grant income opportunities including individual/partnership donations, engaging relevant stakeholders and providing recommendations for pursuit.

Donor Relationship Management

• Support the stewardship of a portfolio of philanthropic donors, acting as a trusted and consistent point of contact as required.
• Contribute to the development and submission of high-quality funding proposals and concept notes, working closely with relevant team members from across the organisation to coordinate technical, financial and MEL inputs.
• Contribute to the renewals of existing grants, coordinating inputs from relevant teams.
• Support donor compliance for restricted and unrestricted funding, ensuring timely, accurate and high-quality narrative and financial reporting.
• Ensure contractual and policy obligations are met across the organisation (e.g. branding, PSEAH, safeguarding reporting), working with teams to support compliance.
• Contribute to shared communications and updates with the wider donor community.
• Support representation of Girls Not Brides in donor and partner meetings, briefings and events, contributing to relationship building and positioning.

Wider Organisational Responsibilities

• Commit to the mission and vision of Girls Not Brides, putting these at the forefront of all planning, work and actions.
• Uphold the core values of Girls Not Brides in all areas of work and interactions with colleagues, members, partners and other stakeholders.
• Comply with Girls Not Brides’ policies and processes, particularly around safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, the code of conduct and data protection.
• Commit to ongoing personal development and learning.
• Fulfil any other reasonable requests for the advancement of Girls Not Brides.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential 

• Experience in a development, fundraising, or partnerships role in the not-for-profit sector.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple workstreams, priorities and deadlines.
• Experience using CRM systems, databases or fundraising tracking tools.
• Experience contributing to funding proposals, donor reports or other fundraising communications.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and present it clearly and persuasively for different audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-management skills, with the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders across a global team and engage external stakeholders and internal colleagues.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including experience gathering and interpreting information from a range of sources.
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of Girls Not Brides.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to exercise sound judgement and discretion.
• Comfortable working flexibly across time zones and priorities.

Desirable 

• Experience working on child marriage, girls’ rights or gender equality.
• Understanding of charity fundraising and trends within the broader development and philanthropic landscape.
• Experience in an international or global organisation.
• Experience in using design platforms