NRT Head of Grants Management at Nature Conservancy

NRT Does This By Supporting Communities To

• Develop locally led governance structures that complement traditional systems
• Run peace and security programs
• Take the lead in natural resources management
• Manage sustainable businesses linked to conservation

NRT fundraises for its member conservancies and provides advice and guidance on management. NRT supports a wide range of training, monitor performance, and works as an independent third party in support of conservancy partnerships with county and national government, investors, and development partners. There are currently 39 member conservancies covering 42,000 square kilometers of northern and coastal Kenya, home to around 320,000 people belonging to 18 different ethnic groups. The conservancies incorporate a diverse range of habitats, from mountains, dense forests and mighty rivers to deserts, savannahs, lakes, deltas and the Indian Ocean. They are home to an equally diverse array of wildlife, including elephant, lion, giraffe, oryx, hirola and black rhino. To learn more, visit www.nrt-kenya.org. This position will be located at NRT HQs based at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Isiolo County.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The NRT Head of Grants Management will be employed by TNC and work closely with the NRT Executive Team to implement and coordinate effective multi-year strategies and plans for gift prospects, including corporate, foundation, and bilateral donors while closely coordinating activities with members of the TNC Kenya and Africa team. This position will report to the NRT CEO on a daily basis for guidance and priority actions, but will have a solid, supervisory reporting line to TNC Kenya Program Director.

Responsibilities And Scope

The NRT Head of Grants Management is responsible for building and maintaining a portfolio of qualified bilateral and multi-lateral donors (and potentially some private donors as time allows), running the stewardship (reporting and relationship management) for existing awards and identifying and crafting proposals for new opportunities. They will be responsible for building the capacity of NRT grant management staff and refining the required grant management systems of NRT. The Head of Grants Management understands and applies the principles of developing donor strategies following relationship management protocols and will be responsible for direct asks for NRT annual budget needs inclusive of NRT Programs and Conservancy funding needs. They actively explore opportunities for grants with bilateral agencies (and potentially private gifts, as time allows). The NRT Head of Grants Management provides opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving. They involve appropriate partners in the field and staff at TNC, keeping them appraised of interactions, issues or concerns, and direct questions to key colleagues as appropriate. They feature the programs of NRT in broad terms, learning and understanding the technical work and the impact of NRT. The Head of Grants Management may be called upon to engage in meetings with funders/prospective funders in Nairobi, representing the NRT CEO when needed/appropriate. This position will work very closely with the TNC Global External Affairs team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Manage a portfolio of bilateral and multi-lateral donors (and secondarily private donors as time allows). Responsible for 5 – 10 letters of intent or proposals annually. Annual fundraising goal of $5,000,000 or more.
• Act independently and in supervisor’s stead as needed, exercise independent judgement to identify and solve problems.
• Decisions may have program-wide impact and may bind the organization financially or legally.
• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
• Ensure compliance with NRT and TNC policies and procedures and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements.
• Financial responsibility includes working within a budget and meeting fundraising objectives.
• Manage assigned projects, coordinating the work of peers and setting deadlines.
• May manage or participate in complex or sensitive negotiations.
• Will support the further development of the NRT Grants Management team and systems.
• Will supervise and coach the NRT Grants Management Team.
• Persuasively convey the mission of TNC and NRT to diverse groups who are important to the organization’s overall prosperity.
• Travel frequently and on short notice, work long and flexible hours as needed.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the CEO from time to time.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years related experience or an equivalent combination.
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents.
• Experience in asking for and closing bilateral awards of $1,000,000 or more.
• Experience in managing and tracking multiple prospects and donors.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in fundraising principles and practices.