Partnerships & Philanthropy Officer

We are hiring to fill a vacancy for the position of Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer. 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. 

 

•  Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer 

Background 

As a pan-African feminist fund, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) resources, strengthens and upholds women’s rights and feminist organisations and movements across Africa, in order to make gender justice a reality for all on our continent and worldwide. 

Over the past 24 years, AWDF has awarded approximately USD 100 million to women’s rights and feminist organisations throughout Africa (and in selected Middle Eastern countries through one of our initiatives). Through its grantmaking, programmatic and advocacy work, AWDF has supported work that led to changes in law and policy, social norms, narrative, and movement-building for gender justice. 

Building on its strong track record, in 2023 AWDF launched Lemlem, a ten-year strategic framework (2023-2033), which guides its efforts to advance gender equality and gender justice for girls, women and gender-diverse people across Africa. At its core, the strategy’s focus is on resourcing, nurturing and strengthening those who are best placed to achieve transformative change: African women’s and feminist groups, organisations and movements. 

 

•  Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer : 

Are you a dynamic individual with experience in monitoring and analysing key developments, trends, conversations and innovations in the feminist funds/ women’s rights/ philanthropy /international development sectors, and keeping the rest of the organisation abreast of current events and potential opportunities? 

Are you excited about supporting the Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy, the CEO and the Director of Programmes in the development and progress monitoring of a partnerships strategy that is in line with the Fund’s new strategic direction? 

Are you ready to join our Partnerships and Philanthropy Team to contribute to the development of research materials, external communications materials, speeches and speaking points, and other documents to support influencing and advocacy-related work? If you responded positively to the questions above, then we would like you to join our team! 

 

TEAM PURPOSE/ RATIONALE/MANDATE 

As a member of AWDF’s Partnerships and Philanthropy team, the Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer will be central to AWDF’s effort to cultivate, maintain and strengthen AWDF’s relationships with existing and new partners in feminist and social justice movements, the philanthropic sector and international development. She/They will also be key to the execution of initiatives and activities to advance AWDF’s philanthropic advocacy and influencing agenda – working closely with the Director for Partnerships and Philanthropy, who manages the role and the CEO and the Director of Programmes. The Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer will also support the development of donor reports and proposals, and other donor relations work.

 

Job Summary 

As a member of AWDF’s newly-created Partnerships and Philanthropy team, the Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer will be central to AWDF’s effort to cultivate, maintain and strengthen AWDF’s relationships with existing and new partners in feminist and social justice movements, the philanthropic sector and international development. She/They will also be key to the execution of initiatives and activities to advance AWDF’s philanthropic advocacy and influencing agenda – working closely with the Director for Partnerships and Philanthropy (who manages the role), the CEO and the Director of Programmes. The Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer will also support the development of donor reports and proposals, and other donor relations work.

 

Specific Duties 

Cultivate, maintain and strengthen AWDF’s relationships with existing and new strategic partners

• Support the Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy, the CEO and the Director of Programmes in the development and progress monitoring of a partnerships strategy that is in line with the Fund’s new strategic direction.
• Serve as the focal point for selected AWDF partners (e.g. peer organisations in the feminist funding or advocacy sector), including by responding to partner requests and sharing updates, represent AWDF in working-level partner meetings, etc.
• Project-manage and lead selected partnerships-related activities (e.g. panels, meetings, trips, etc.)
• Develop research materials, external communications materials, and other

documents to support partnerships-related work.

• Represent AWDF and/or coordinate the AWDF team’s participation in selected

networks and alliances.

• Keep abreast of, and keep AWDF’s leadership and the wider team informed of

partners’ work and priorities, etc.

• Identify and analyse new partnership opportunities for AWDF, and coordinate

actions to leverage such opportunities.

• Maintain a strong system for managing contacts, information and

documentation about AWDF’s partnerships

 

Implement initiatives and activities to advance AWDF’s philanthropic advocacy and influencing agenda

 

• Monitor and analyse key developments, trends, conversations and innovations in the feminist funds/ women’s rights/ philanthropy /international development sectors, and keep the rest of organisation abreast of current events and potential opportunities
• Support the Director of Partnerships and Philanthropy, the CEO and the Director of Programmes in the definition of influencing and advocacy priorities and objectives.
• Project-manage and coordinate selected influencing and advocacy-related activities (e.g. AWDF-led events or AWDF participation in conferences.)
• Develop research materials, external communications materials, speeches and

speaking points, and other documents to support influencing and

advocacy-related work.

• Represent AWDF and/or coordinate the AWDF team’s participation in selected events or networks where AWDF engages for influencing purpose 

 

Contribute to AWDF’s resource mobilisation, development & donor engagement work

 

• Act as a focal point for a small number of AWDF donor partners (answering requests, keeping track of developments within the donor organisation, coordinating report writing and communications, etc.)
• Support the development of proposals and donor reports for new and existing

donors to AWDF.

 

Other

The Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer 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. She/They will help promote AWDF’s values and principles which include a feminist ethos, equality, collaborative ways of working, team-work and positive interaction with diverse staffing and stakeholder groups

 

Essential Knowledge and Experience 

• Strategic analysis and foresight – a critical thinker with an analytical approach to information; can think in a strategic and innovative way about AWDF’s positioning in alignment with our strategic direction and in reaction to trends and recent developments in feminist movements and philanthropy; can anticipate and evaluate future opportunities and challenges
• Good communicator –has a history of communicating effectively in writing and orally in English; including excellent public speaking skills for both formal and extemporaneous presentations; ability to represent AWDF to a diverse public, Also has the ability to design and write a variety of reports, articles and other information products
• Strong partnership-builder – has a track record of collaborating successfully with a range of partners and lead/take part in collaborative initiatives. History of with a broad and diverse range of communities and individuals.
• Some resource mobilisation and development skills and experience would be an asset 
• Autonomy, proactive with strong sense of initiative and a solution-oriented approach to work, capacity to work independently when needed, with minimum supervision and, ability to take ownership of one’s work and to hold oneself accountable for results, excellent time management and prioritisation skills.
• Resourcefulness, and ability to balance and prioritise heavy workloads and work under pressure when needed, and to proactively suggest ways to manage pressure on themselves and their team.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally regularly
• Willingness to work flexible working hours, occasionally outside of regular working hours as needed
• Proven commitment to feminist activism
• Expected to demonstrate highest levels of integrity and model the feminist and social justice values espoused by AWDF.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Excellent command of written and spoken English essential. Proficiency in French desirable

 

Qualifications 

• A graduate qualification in international relations, political science, gender studies, sociology, humanities or related field
• At least 5 years’ professional experience working in the field of women’s rights, human rights, social justice or international development , preferably in advocacy, donor liaison or partnerships management related roles.
• Experience of working in an African context  is essential 
• Deep understanding of, and strong networks in the women’s rights sector and the feminist movements in Africa and globally. Understanding/Networks in philanthropy and/or feminist funding is a valued asset.
• Demonstrates the values and principles of feminism and social justice (required). Understanding of/experience of the goals and workings of women’s rights, feminist or philanthropic organisations a valued asset.
• Excellent written and oral proficiency in English is required. French proficiency is desirable.
• In-depth understanding of African women’s rights issues and agendas and the strategies and needs of African women’s organisations and movements.
• Demonstrated advocacy track record on women’s rights issues and/or philanthropy in Africa is key.
• Experience in building and sustaining external relationships with donor partners and peer organisations is critical. Some experience in mobilizing resources for a non-profit organisation would be a strong asset.

 

Job Location: AWDF House, Accra – Ghana or work remotely from any African country where you have the legal right to work from

 

Organisational Competencies: 

All staff members must demonstrate AWDF Core values in all their professional relationships and any interactions that may reflect on AWDF: 

Accountability & Integrity 

Solidarity & Collective care 

Intersectionality & Meaningful Inclusion 

Learning & Adaptability 

Courage & Joy 

Creativity & Curiosity 

AWDF has a Zero Tolerance Approach to all forms of corruption which is an offence for which immediate dismissal without benefits will result.

 

*Salary Details

Midpoint: USD 34,133 (annually) + benefits. In practice, AWDF only makes offers between the entry point and the midpoint of our salary scale