Expert, Fundraising and Proposal Development – Congo Basin

Job Posting Organization:
WWF (World Wildlife Fund) is an independent conservation organization that has been working for over 60 years to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. With an active presence in more than 100 countries, WWF focuses on both on-the-ground and global policy action to protect and restore species and their habitats, while transforming markets and policies toward sustainability. The organization is committed to addressing the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in food and energy production and consumption, as well as financial systems. WWF aims to engage everyone in conservation efforts, particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities, ensuring that conservation is sustainable and beneficial to local populations. The organization calls for bold action on climate and nature, aiming for recovery by 2030, and is dedicated to using its resources and global network to support effective solutions for these communities.

Job Overview:
The Expert, Fundraising and Proposal Development – Congo Basin is responsible for supporting the growth and diversification of funding opportunities for WWF Congo Basin Country Offices. This role involves effective donor engagement, strategic positioning of programs, pipeline coordination, proposal development support, and fundraising planning. The position is crucial for identifying and positioning strategic funding opportunities, regional trends, and WWF conservation priorities to help Country Offices secure resources aligned with their priorities. The postholder is expected to maintain strong follow-through, coordination, responsiveness, and delivery of agreed fundraising priorities within established timelines. This role contributes to the overall mission of WWF by ensuring that the organization can effectively mobilize resources to support its conservation initiatives in the Congo Basin region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Resource Acquisition and Pipeline Coordination: Maintain and regularly update a regional funding opportunity pipeline for the Congo Basin portfolio. Monitor donor priorities, geopolitical and funding trends, and identify relevant opportunities aligned with WWF conservation priorities. Coordinate timely sharing of donor intelligence and funding opportunities with Country Offices. Proactively identify emerging funding opportunities and support the tracking of proposal development processes. Maintain regular working sessions with Country Offices to ensure timely follow-up on resource acquisition priorities. Contribute to annual fundraising planning and support additional resource acquisition and partnership development as needed.
• Proposal Development and Coordination: Coordinate and actively contribute to the development of high-quality, donor-ready concept notes and proposals. Lead or support the development of proposals in alignment with donor formats and standards. Take primary responsibility for drafting assigned proposal sections and consolidating inputs into coherent submissions. Coordinate the preparation and submission of proposals in collaboration with Country Offices and technical teams. Ensure submissions meet donor requirements and internal quality assurance standards.
• Donor and Partner Engagement: Support the maintenance of relationships with priority donors and partners. Contribute to donor engagement processes through coordination of meetings and communication materials. Assist Country Offices in strategically positioning programs to donors based on priorities and funding trends. Contribute to donor mapping and engagement planning.
• Capacity Strengthening and Internal Support: Support Country Offices in strengthening resource acquisition practices and proposal development processes. Share tools, templates, and good practices across the region. Promote compliance with quality assurance and donor requirements across supported projects.
• Monitoring and Accountability: Maintain accurate records of proposals and donor engagements. Provide regular updates on pipeline status and fundraising performance. Escalate delays or risks affecting proposal development timelines. Advise the Director, Programme Quality in setting annual grant income projections for the region.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in International Development, Environmental Management, Conservation, Business Development, Project Management, or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, donor coordination, proposal development, or partnership management within an NGO or international development environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of donor priorities and conservation financing opportunities relevant to the Congo Basin and wider African region.
• Experience contributing to the development and successful positioning of donor proposals for various types of donors.
• Strong understanding of donor landscapes and fundraising trends in the conservation and international development sectors.
• Ability to proactively identify opportunities and build strategic relationships.

Educational Background:
A degree in International Development, Environmental Management, Conservation, Business Development, Project Management, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of fundraising and proposal development in the context of conservation efforts.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, donor coordination, proposal development, or partnership management within an NGO or international development environment. This experience should include a demonstrated understanding of donor priorities and geopolitical trends, as well as a proven track record of successfully positioning donor proposals and concept notes for various types of donors, including bilateral, multilateral, foundation, and private sector donors.

Languages:
Fluency in both spoken and written French and English is mandatory for this position. This bilingual requirement is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including donors, partners, and team members across different regions. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Congo Basin region would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered on a 1-year renewable contract basis, with the location being either Yaoundé or Kinshasa. The role involves significant interaction with various internal and external stakeholders, including bilateral and multilateral public sector partners, donors, foundations, and other NGOs. The organization emphasizes the importance of fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, encouraging applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Early application is encouraged as the organization will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserves the right to close the advert early.