Senior Resource Mobilization Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is dedicated to improving food and nutritional security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and reducing poverty in developing countries through research focused on the efficient, safe, and sustainable use of livestock. Established as one of the 15 CGIAR Research Centres, ILRI is unique in its exclusive focus on animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI operates regional or country offices and projects across East, South, and Southeast Asia, as well as Central, East, Southern, and West Africa. The organization aims to enhance the livelihoods of people who depend on livestock and to contribute to sustainable development goals. ILRI's mission is to provide innovative solutions that address the challenges faced by livestock-dependent communities, ensuring that livestock production is sustainable and contributes to food security. For more information, visit www.ilri.org.

Job Overview:
The Senior Resource Mobilization Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) within the Director General’s Office (DGO). This position is designed for an innovative, self-motivated, and goal-oriented individual with a strong background in fundraising strategies and proposal development. The specialist will be responsible for assisting senior staff and research leads in strategic resource mobilization efforts, proposal development, and coordination across the institute. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying funding opportunities and developing proposals that align with the organization's mission to reduce poverty and hunger through research-based policy solutions. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in securing funding from various sources, including foundations, government, and multilateral agencies, and will be expected to work collaboratively with diverse teams to achieve common objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Resource Mobilization Specialist include:

• Fundraising: Advising staff on the development and implementation of effective fundraising strategies; conducting competitive intelligence gathering to identify new donors and funding prospects; advising on approaches to donor prospects and drafting outreach and communication materials; managing cultivation and stewardship for select foundations and individual donors.
• Proposal Development & Coordination: Liaising with research units and corporate services to facilitate proposal development efforts; supporting research units from project concept to full proposal development; providing high-quality reviews for key proposals to ensure compliance with requirements; assessing and proposing improvements for practices and systems involving IFPRI’s proposal pipeline and funding intelligence.
• Event Coordination: Assisting with event coordination as needed to support fundraising and outreach efforts.
• Continuous Improvement: Continually assessing and proposing improvements for practices and procedures related to fundraising and proposal development.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in agricultural development, international development practice, project management, agricultural economics, or a relevant field. Candidates must have ten years of relevant professional experience, with at least five years in a management role. Experience in a business development team supporting international development clients is essential, along with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies for nonprofit organizations. Candidates should have experience in prospect research, outreach to funding sources, and donor cultivation and stewardship, particularly in agriculture, nutrition, or related fields. Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are mandatory, along with the ability to synthesize complex scientific and programmatic content for diverse audiences.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as agricultural development, international development practice, project management, or agricultural economics. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the organization's goals and objectives.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years in a management capacity. This experience should include a strong background in business development within the international development sector, particularly in roles that involve fundraising and proposal development. Candidates should demonstrate a history of successfully securing funding from various sources, including government, private industry, and foundations, preferably in the fields of agriculture and nutrition.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the role requires effective communication with diverse stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly in languages relevant to the regions where ILRI operates, such as French or Spanish, which could enhance the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of donors and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a one-year, renewable appointment based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is only open to Kenyan nationals. The job level is HG 18, and ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes pension, medical, education, and other insurances. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and CV detailing their qualifications and interest in the position, along with the names and contact information of three referees. The application deadline is 3 April 2025, and candidates are encouraged to apply early. ILRI is committed to equal opportunity employment and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.