Global Foundations Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is a leading non-governmental organization dedicated to fighting hunger and promoting sustainable development. Established in 1962, WHH operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on humanitarian aid and development cooperation. The organization is committed to the mission of Zero Hunger, striving to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient and nutritious food. With a diverse workforce and a strong presence in various regions, WHH collaborates with local partners to implement effective programs that address the root causes of hunger and poverty. The organization emphasizes transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in its operations, making it a respected player in the international development sector.

Job Overview:
As the Global Foundations Manager, you will play a crucial role in diversifying Welthungerhilfe’s funding base and strengthening long-term philanthropic partnerships. This position is integral to advancing the organization's mission of Zero Hunger by combining partnership development, internal collaboration, and strategic fundraising. You will be responsible for developing and managing strategic foundation partnerships, working closely with country offices to establish processes and structures that facilitate foundation fundraising. This role requires a proactive approach to building strong foundation pipelines and developing compelling partnership opportunities, ensuring that the organization can effectively engage with foundations across various countries. You will also be tasked with directly pursuing selected foundation partnerships, particularly with those operating regionally or locally in the countries where Welthungerhilfe works. Your collaboration with colleagues across country offices and the German headquarters will be essential in ensuring a coherent global approach to donor relationships, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the organization’s fundraising efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will include working closely with country offices to identify, develop, and advance strategic foundation partnership opportunities. You will collaborate with country teams to build and manage strong foundation prospect pipelines, identifying opportunities that align with programmatic priorities and funding strategies. Additionally, you will accompany country offices in cultivating and developing foundation partnerships, which includes creating donor outreach strategies, engagement planning, and partnership positioning. You will contribute to developing partnership pitches, concepts, and cases for support in collaboration with country teams, translating programmatic priorities and impact evidence into compelling propositions for foundations. Facilitating the exchange of successful practices, market insights, and fundraising approaches across country offices will be part of your role to strengthen the organization’s overall capacity to engage foundations. You will also identify and pursue selected strategic foundation opportunities, particularly with regional or locally present foundations, in close coordination with relevant country offices and head office colleagues. Furthermore, you will coordinate closely with WHH colleagues worldwide to ensure aligned relationship management and coordinated donor engagement. Developing high-quality pitches, concept notes, proposals, and partnership propositions in collaboration with technical experts, program, and country teams will be essential. Lastly, you will support due diligence processes and risk assessments for prospective foundation partners in line with Welthungerhilfe’s policies and compliance requirements.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, a Bachelor’s degree is required, while a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as International Relations, Nonprofit Management, Development Studies, Marketing, or Communications is strongly preferred. Candidates should have at least five years of progressive experience in foundation fundraising or institutional philanthropy, ideally within an international NGO or global development context. A demonstrated ability to secure six- and seven-figure grants from foundations and manage long-term donor relationships is essential. Strong analytical and strategic skills are necessary to translate complex programmatic information into compelling, impact-driven funding propositions. Experience using donor relationship management systems, such as Salesforce or equivalent, to maintain a structured partner pipeline and monitor engagement is also required. Excellent interpersonal and networking skills are crucial for building trust and collaborating effectively across cultures, functions, and levels of seniority. A high degree of independence, organization, and reliability is expected, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a dynamic environment. Candidates should be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and adapt strategies to evolving philanthropic trends. A recognition of the growing value of data in the field and a willingness to build awareness and skills to incorporate data-informed approaches into work are also important. Exceptional written and verbal English skills are required, with a proven ability to develop persuasive, donor-oriented proposals and reports. Proficiency in additional languages is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum qualification. A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as International Relations, Nonprofit Management, Development Studies, Marketing, or Communications is strongly preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in foundation fundraising and philanthropic partnerships.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least five years of progressive experience in foundation fundraising or institutional philanthropy. This experience should ideally be within an international NGO or global development context, demonstrating a solid understanding of the sector and the ability to navigate its challenges. The role requires a proven track record of securing significant grants from foundations and managing long-term donor relationships, showcasing the candidate's capability to engage effectively with philanthropic entities.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills necessary for developing persuasive proposals and reports. Proficiency in additional languages is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and broaden the organization's outreach efforts.

Additional Notes:
The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration of 2 years and very good prospects for an extension. The role is based in the Kenyan office and involves collaboration with WHH country offices worldwide. The organization offers fair compensation based on a transparent salary scale, a commitment to employee well-being with a focus on safety, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and health, and a modern and agile work environment that embraces digitalization and innovation. Additionally, there are diverse learning and development opportunities available for personal and professional growth. Welthungerhilfe values diversity and ensures an inclusive, non-discriminatory working environment, welcoming applications from suitably qualified individuals from all sections of the community.