[Hiring] Resource Mobilisation & Donor Partnerships Specialist @The African Women’s Development Fund

Role Description

We are hiring to fill a vacancy for the position of Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships Specialist. To fill this position, we are looking for a highly motivated team leader who is innovative, passionate about women’s rights in Africa, excited about African feminisms, and embraces African women’s diversity to join our team.

A member of AWDF's Partnerships and Voice team, the Resource Mobilisation and Donor Engagement Specialist drives AWDF's fundraising and resource mobilisation efforts, leading the development and stewardship of donor partnerships that sustain and grow the organisation's financial base. The role provides specialist expertise and end-to-end leadership of resource mobilisation processes, from donor prospecting and proposal development through to reporting and relationship management, in support of the Director of Partnerships and Voice, and the Executive Leadership Team.

The role is the primary operational lead for AWDF's donor engagement work, managing a portfolio of existing and new donor relationships and ensuring that fundraising processes are proactive, values-aligned and coordinated across the organisation. Working under the leadership of the Director of Partnerships and Voice, the Resource Mobilisation and Donor Engagement Specialist anchors the day-to-day delivery of AWDF's resource mobilisation agenda.

Specific Duties:

• Resource Mobilisation and Fundraising:
  • Lead the development and implementation of AWDF's resource mobilisation plans and fundraising activities, in alignment with the partnerships and voice strategy and AWDF Priorities.
  • Identify, research and pursue new funding opportunities from institutional donors, foundations, governments and other relevant funders, including through innovative and diversified funding approaches.
  • Develop and maintain a fundraising pipeline, tracking opportunities, timelines and income projections, and providing regular updates to the Director of Partnerships and Voice and Senior Management Team.
  • Ensure resource mobilisation processes are feminist, values-aligned and coherent with AWDF's approach to donor partnerships.
• Donor Engagement and Stewardship:
  • Manage a portfolio of existing and prospective donor relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for selected donors and ensuring strong, sustained and strategically managed partnerships.
  • Lead and coordinate donor engagement processes — including monitoring visits, reporting cycles, funding conversations and ad hoc requests with input from relevant colleagues across AWDF.
  • Working with the Executive Leadership Team, support the cultivation and stewardship of strategic donor relationships, ensuring alignment between relationship management and fundraising goals.
  • Maintain a robust information management system for donor contacts, agreements, reporting schedules and portfolio documentation.
• Proposal and Report Development:
  • Lead and coordinate the development of high-quality funding proposals and donor reports, drawing on input from programme, finance and other relevant teams across AWDF.
  • Ensure proposals and reports are compelling, accurate and reflective of AWDF's feminist values, programmatic impact and strategic direction.
  • Maintain and improve organisational systems and processes for proposal development and donor reporting, ensuring timely delivery and clear accountability across contributing teams.
• People Management and Internal Coordination:
  • Directly manage, supervise and support the Partnerships Officer, providing day-to-day guidance, coaching and performance oversight.
  • Coordinate resource mobilisation and donor engagement activities across the Partnerships and Voice Division, working closely with the Senior Partnerships Officer and Communications Specialist to ensure integration and avoid duplication.
  • Liaise with programme, finance and other teams to ensure donor commitments are tracked, implementation is aligned with funding agreements, and internal processes support effective donor stewardship.
• Other:
  • The role might from time to time be required to carry out any other duties that are within the scope of the role but are not outlined above.
  • All staff members must demonstrate AWDF Core values in all professional relationships and any interactions that may reflect on AWDF: Accountability & Integrity; Solidarity & Collective Care; Courage & Joy; Intersectionality & Meaningful Inclusion; Learning & Adaptability; Creativity & Curiosity.
  • AWDF has a Zero Tolerance Approach to all forms of corruption, an offence which will lead to immediate dismissal.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6–8 years' professional experience in resource mobilisation, fundraising, donor relations or a closely related field, preferably within a feminist, women's rights or civil society organisation. African work experience is essential.
• A graduate qualification in international relations, political science, gender studies, development studies, sociology, humanities or a related field.

Requirements

• Strong resource mobilisation and fundraising expertise, demonstrated track record of raising funds for a non-profit or philanthropic organisation, including proposal development, donor reporting and pipeline management.
• Donor relationship management, experience cultivating and sustaining relationships with institutional donors and funders, with the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder donor portfolios independently.
• Strategic analysis and foresight, able to identify funding trends, opportunities and risks; thinks critically about AWDF's positioning in the philanthropic landscape and proactively shapes the fundraising approach accordingly.
• Excellent writing skills demonstrated ability to produce compelling, well-structured proposals, donor reports and related communication products in English.
• People management, experience managing and developing a direct report, with the ability to delegate effectively, provide coaching and hold others accountable for results.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully developing funding proposals and donor reports for institutional donors, and of managing donor relationships across the funding cycle.
• Experience working with African women's rights issues and agendas, and understanding of the strategies and needs of African women's organisations and feminist movements.
• Experience managing a direct report or coordinating the work of others in a team setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to feminist principles and social justice values.
• Excellent written and oral proficiency in English is required. Proficiency in French and/or Portuguese is desirable.
• A belief in and commitment to feminist principles and values including around non-discrimination.
• Commitment to accountability and integrity.

Benefits

• Entry point: USD 44,158 (annually)
• Midpoint: USD 60,717.98 (annually)
• In practice, we only make offers between the entry point and the midpoint of our salary scale depending on one’s level of experience and competencies.

How to Apply

• Qualified and interested persons should send:
  • A cover letter of not more than 2 pages to the Human Resources Manager explaining their interest and excitement in applying for the position to work for AWDF; and highlighting their experience and competencies as they relate to the specific areas of duties indicated in the vacancy to demonstrate a good fit for the role.
  • A CV of not more than 3 pages outlining their educational qualifications and employment records with key achievements on relevant positions held.
• Applications for the vacancy should reach AWDF no later than Friday, 31st July 2026.
• Due to our limited capacity, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for additional information and interviews.
• In line with AWDF’s Mission, qualified African women are encouraged to apply.