Business Development & Partnerships Officer

About Akili Dada

Akili Dada is an award-winning leadership incubator anchored on the belief that girls and young women CAN, DO and WILL LEAD. Our mission is to nurture transformational feminist leadership in girls and young women from underserved backgrounds to meet the urgent need for more African women in leadership.

We journey alongside adolescent girls and young women, supporting them in creating and implementing solutions to their communities’ challenges. We build their capacity to lead, applying a holistic approach that encompasses financial investment, intergenerational mentorship, movement building, and advocacy through education and leadership.

After 18 years of engaging and collaborating with girls and women, our philosophy is embedded in Igniting inherent power and amplifying voices and perspectives while nurturing Legacies of influence that can be sustained and replicated worldwide. Through W.A.U (Washa – Ignite. Angaza – Amplify. Legacy – Urithi), we conduct rigorous research and development to inform our programmatic pillars.

Akili Dada Values

A perfect metaphor for Akili Dada’s core values is STILE.

Sisterhood: We firmly believe in the power of uniting women across generations, professions, geography, and social and economic circumstances. By building a sisterhood that transcends boundaries.

Transformation: Our proudest moments come from witnessing the remarkable transformation of our dadas, as they blossom into confident leaders who bring about meaningful change in their communities.

Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest standard of integrity within our organization, knowing that it is through our unwavering commitment to ethical practices that we can inspire the same level of integrity in those we serve.

Leadership: We celebrate and nurture the qualities of courage and independent thinking, recognizing their indispensable role in shaping exceptional leaders.

Excellence: Our relentless pursuit of excellence permeates every facet of our work. We take immense pride in our work, always striving to emerge as women of excellence who set the bar high and inspire others to do the same.

The role

The Business Development & Partnerships Officer at Akili Dada will spearhead fundraising and donor management efforts, with the goal of expanding funding sources in alignment with our 2024-2028 strategic objectives. Key responsibilities include creating and executing fundraising strategies, grant writing, donor outreach, and event planning.

The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and negotiation skills, demonstrated experience in fundraising, and the ability to manage multiple projects. This role is essential for nurturing a philanthropic culture and ensuring the sustainability and growth of Akili Dada, directly contributing to the empowerment of young women and the promotion of gender equality.

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.

Person specification

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.