Jobs 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.

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Deliverables

• Spearhead the creation and development of a MERL department in alignment with Akili Dada’s 2024-2028 strategic plan. This will involve addressing both institutional needs and programmatic efforts, ensuring the department supports the organization’s long-term goals and operational demands.
• Conduct a thorough assessment of the current MERL system to identify areas for improvement. Implement necessary enhancements to ensure the system meets the evolving needs of the organization, providing robust support for data management and program evaluation.
• Champion the use of Salesforce as the central database solution for the organization. This will include ensuring that all data management processes are streamlined, effective, and aligned with best practices.
• Work closely with various teams within the organization to document and amplify the impact of Akili Dada’s work. This will involve gathering and organizing evidence, creating compelling narratives, and leveraging data to highlight the organization’s achievements.
• Collect and organize evidence from both internal and external sources to support a data-driven, evidence-based approach and use this information to develop compelling investment cases that attract and engage potential donors and stakeholders.
• Act as the primary administrator for the MERL system, providing technical training and support to staff, ensuring that all users are proficient in using the system and adhering to best practices for data entry and management.
• Manage the entire data lifecycle, from collection and collation to storage, analysis, and reporting. Ensure that all data is of high quality, audit-ready, and accessible for reporting and decision-making purposes.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive MERL framework and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plans in line with AD policy and guidelines. This will include regularly reviewing and updating these plans to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
• Provide ongoing training to staff and partners in monitoring and evaluation procedures, data collection tools, best data management practices, and the use of the M&E System (Salesforce). Ensure that all stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively contribute to the MERL process.
• Perform regular data quality assessments to identify and address any issues related to data accuracy, completeness, and reliability. Implement improvements to enhance data quality and program accountability.
• Ensure that the institutional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System is continuously updated and maintained, including keeping accurate, timely electronic files that are easily accessible and retrievable.
• Oversee the analysis of data and the writing and review of results and learning sections of program reports. Ensure that all reports comply with internal data quality requirements and are submitted promptly.
• Assist the program team in routinely reviewing and interpreting data for learning and adaptation and share findings in a meaningful way that supports continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Integrate MERL components into concept notes, proposals, and reports to support resource mobilization efforts. Ensure that all submissions are data-driven and evidence-based, enhancing their credibility and impact.
• Ensure that all program data, documentation, and records are archived in accordance with donor and AD policy. This includes maintaining organized and accessible records that support transparency and accountability.
• Undertake additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the organization. This may include special projects, ad hoc assignments, and other duties that support the overall mission and objectives of Akili Dada.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, International Development, Public Health, Evaluation, Statistics, or Economics.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based MERL activities, including results framework design, MEL planning and system development, work plan and indicator formulation, and program monitoring for large donor-funded organizations.

Skills and abilities

• Experience in management of online M&E Systems i.e. required knowledge of CRM Software particularly Salesforce is an added advantage;
• Relevant technical skills to analyse quantitative and qualitative data,
• Exceptional organizational skills,
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Strong commitment to using data and learning to enhance program performance.
• Experience conducting project, program, or institutional evaluation.
• Ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and training skills.
• Great interpersonal skills, enthusiastic, and energetic disposition.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including impact evaluation.
• Demonstrated supervisory skills and ability to work with a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and ability to use various commercially available statistical analysis software programs is an added advantage.