Senior Development Manager at World Resources Institute (WRI)

Job Summary

WRI Africa is seeking a dynamic and experienced development professional to seize and exciting new opportunity to join our regional team in Africa. Reporting to the Africa Regional Director, you will drive the creation and implementation of a strong Development function and fundraising strategy for WRI Africa, an exciting new role for this growing and energetic team. You will inform and support work that will help shape the future of environment and development in the region.

In this unique and critical position, you will partner closely with WRI Africa’s Regional Director to lead major fundraising initiatives in support of the WRI Africa Program portfolio. You will be directly responsible for all donor relations managed through the Africa Program. In coordination with our Global Development team, you will lead engagement with foreign governments, foundations, and corporations to advance our strategy and objectives, and work with directors and Program Managers/Project Leads in developing and implementing fundraising strategies. You will oversee prospect research, donor stewardship, proposal writing, and internal project framing. You will lead/participate in joint fundraising-efforts across the organization to produce compelling multi-faceted proposals for major awards, and enhance individual project and Africa office development strategies and proposals. You will serve as Development program point person to the Global Development team and work with other Programs, Centers, and International Offices across the WRI sisterhood.

Job Responsibilities                                          

Funding Strategy Development & Donor Stewardship (60%)

• Develop and implement strategies to achieve continuous, sustainable funding that scales to the ambition and opportunities of WRI Africa’s mission and objectives
• Identify and research new major prospective donors in the six- and seven-figure range
• Proactively manage a portfolio of high value regional prospects
• Engage in direct fundraising and proposal pitches, meetings, and donor cultivation efforts with current and prospective donors in coordination with program teams and the global development team
• Directly support and guide the Regional Director in donor cultivation efforts, to include: develop contacts and relationships with current and prospective donors, arrange influential meetings, lead Director preparations, and track donor engagement with an emphasis on enhancing relationship-building efforts
• Develop and manage a robust revenue and opportunity pipeline for WRI Africa in Salesforce, and lead regular review by WRI Africa leadership to track and manage the fundraising pipeline.
• Oversee donor cultivation and relationship management by working with program teams to track all donor outreach activities in Salesforce and ensure appropriate and timely follow-up on donor requests.
• Provide expert development advice and assistance, including training and strategy development, to WRI Africa managers.
• Monitor and communicate donor restrictions and reporting requirements; monitor compliance in collaboration with WRI Africa’s operations team.
• Facilitate and ensure timely, accurate, and complete submission of donors financial and narrative reports.
• Work collaboratively with WRI’s Global Development team on funding approaches involving centrally managed institutional donors to ensure a high level of internal coordination and sharing of donor intelligence.

Proposal Development and Internal Coordination (40%)

• Lead responses to funding opportunities. Lead proposal development for WRI Africa for quality concept notes and proposals and accurate budgets.
• Develop and manage local partnerships to enhance WRI’s ability to attract and deliver large-scale funding
• Draft strategic briefs and presentations to inform and guide key interactions and dialogues with prospective donors.
• Support annual and multi-year project planning efforts to ensure the development of aligned projects, compelling offers, and early engagement on fundraising priorities and opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to WRI’s fundraising and development guidelines and corporate vetting procedures, working with colleagues in WRI Africa and on the Global Development team.
• Work with WRI Africa Regional Director to establish and drive robust fundraising coordination and proposal development processes in WRI Africa, in coordination with WRI’s Global Development team.
• Serve as the point person for WRI Africa with the Global Development team.

Job Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant, full time experience with 3 additional years of experience in a leadership position with major fundraising responsibilities. Masters degree required (or bachelors degree with 2 additional years of experience)
• International experience strongly preferred with prior experience of working in the development field and preferably in the international NGO sector is essential
• Excellent prospect research skills; understanding of what constitutes relevant and strategic information and how to analyze the data to support prospect development
• Exceptional writing and proofreading skills; ability to translate technical information into lay language; experience in developing and organizing proposals for varying audiences
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to drive projects to completion
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint and Salesforce a plus
• Strong collegial interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive work relationships; ability to diplomatically and effectively communicate in person, in writing, and by phone
• Experience working in international team environment a plus; must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with a diverse staff, across multiple time zones, and within tight and often parallel deadlines
• Prior engagement on environmental and/or international development focus area is highly desirable
• Proven track record of securing grants from foundations, foreign governments and/or multi-lateral organizations
• Established network of international and regional funders and partners
• Experience engaging with high net worth individuals and/or boards a plus
• Ability to navigate complex institutional environments and adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent written and oral communication in English required, fluency in French a plus
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application. Applicants must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

WRI Overvie

World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade in order to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean.

We are passionate. We value our diversity of interests, skills and backgrounds. We have a flexible work environment. And we share a common goal to catalyze change that will improve the lives of people. Our shared ideals are at the core of our approach. They include: integrity, innovation, urgency, independence and respect.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges, and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

We have been growing rapidly: our staff has doubled in size over the past 5 years and our operating budget is now $120 million. Founded in 1982, WRI has a global staff of 900+ people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.  

The World Resources Institute (http://www.wri.org) is an environmental and development research and policy organization that creates solutions to protect the Earth and improve people’s lives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, it is WRI’s policy to recruit, hire, and provide opportunities for advancement in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, protected veteran status, or disability. WRI’s global agenda requires a staff that is diverse – with respect to race, gender, cultural, and international background. Diverse perspectives and experience enhance the way WRI selects and approaches issues, as well as the creativity and applicability of WRI's policy research and analysis. WRI, therefore, encourages applications from U.S. minorities, persons from other countries (especially developing nations), and from women of all backgrounds