Resource Mobilization & Partnerships Officer @Unknown

Role Purpose

To drive Graceworld Foundation’s resource mobilization and strategic partnerships agenda, securing the financial and institutional resources needed to sustain and grow GWF’s programs and mission.

Job Summary

The Resource Mobilization & Partnerships Officer will lead Graceworld Foundation’s new business development efforts, from donor intelligence and proposal writing through to MOU management and donor stewardship. Working with the Executive Director and program teams, the officer will build a diversified funding portfolio and forge strategic partnerships with institutional donors, governments, corporates, and faith-based networks.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Donor Intelligence

• Develop and update GWF’s Resource Mobilization Strategy and annual fundraising targets.
• Maintain a comprehensive Donor Engagement Plan and Funding Tracker with bi-weekly updates to senior management.
• Conduct continuous donor landscape analysis (EU, USAID, UK Aid, GIZ, SIDA, UN agencies, World Bank, corporates).
• Monitor call-for-proposal calendars and EOI deadlines across key donor platforms (DevEx, ReliefWeb, Funds for NGOs, Grants.gov).

Proposal Development & Grant Writing

• Lead development of grant proposals, concept notes, EOIs, Logical Frameworks, and Theory of Change documents.
• Convene Go/No-Go meetings for new opportunities and prepare Proposal Development Plans with clear timelines.
• Coordinate internal reviews involving program, finance, and MEAL teams to ensure quality and compliance.
• Maintain GWF’s organizational credentials package: registration, audited accounts, board profiles, capacity statements.
• Coordinate with consortium partners on joint proposals, sub-grant structures, and partner capacity assessments.
• Embed safeguarding risk assessments and appropriate safeguarding budgets in all new proposals.

Donor Relations & Partnership Management

• Steward existing donors through program updates, field visit facilitation, and impact communication materials.
• Represent GWF in donor meetings, NGO coordination forums, partnership networks, and funding conferences.
• Manage MOU and partnership agreement processes with institutional partners, county governments, and consortium members.
• Develop targeted donor briefs, program newsletters, and organizational impact reports.

Capacity Building, Compliance & Reporting

• Build capacity of program staff on donor compliance, proposal writing, and reporting.
• Ensure all proposals, grants, and partnership documents are filed and accessible to authorized staff.
• Support program teams in meeting donor narrative and financial reporting deadlines.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning on new donors and proposal development best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Communications, Public Policy, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of demonstrated experience in fundraising, grants management, or business development in an NGO.
• Proven record of successfully funded proposals to institutional donors (EU, USAID, UN agencies, UK Aid, GIZ, or equivalent).
• Solid understanding of grant management cycles, donor compliance, and reporting standards.
• Experience developing log frames, theories of change, indicator frameworks, and M&E sections for proposals.

Desirable

• Experience with corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement and private foundation fundraising.
• Knowledge of the Kenyan and East African donor funding landscape.
• Certificate or short course in proposal writing, grants management, or fundraising (CFRE, DEGAN, or equivalent).

Core Competencies & Skills

• Exceptional proposal writing, editing, and persuasive storytelling (a writing sample will be requested at shortlisting).
• Strong research, analytical, and donor mapping skills.
• Excellent relationship management, negotiation, and stakeholder communication skills.
• High initiative; ability to manage multiple concurrent proposals under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in MS Office; experience with grants management databases or CRM tools an advantage.
• Strategic thinker with strong quality assurance mindset and attention to detail.