Development Manager

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

POSITION OVERVIEW

Advancing Girls’ Education in Africa (AGE Africa) seeks a creative and dynamic individual to build and implement a strategic and comprehensive fundraising strategy to increase charitable giving, foster lasting relationships with donors, creatively raise the profile and visibility of the organization, and, ultimately, support the growth of AGE Africa’s high-impact work.

The Development Manager will work closely with the Executive Director to manage the research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors, individual donors, foundations, corporations, and creation of a monthly giving circle. After establishing her/himself, she/he will be responsible for AGE Africa’s messaging and donor outreach in conjunction with the Executive Director. This will be a full-time exempt position with a one-year initial appointment after a six-month probationary period. This position is perfect for a young professional with 3-5 years of work experience, a passion for fundraising, serving adolescent girls, and someone who is excited about playing a very large role in a small but fast-growing organization.

REPORTING

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will act in a leadership role on our dynamic team as you lend your talents to ensuring AGE Africa’s immediate and long-term success. This role offers unique opportunities to work with our valued partners in Malawi and around the world and promises considerable flexibility in all aspects of the role.

SPECIFIC DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Identify, research and write proposals for private foundations, family foundations and corporate donors.
  • Work with Executive Director and on occasion board members to develop high-level technical proposals.
• Manage a prospect pipeline, moves management and donor communications (including grant reports and donor newsletters) for institutional donors throughout the year.
  • Work with the board of directors to thank major donors.
• Work with Executive Director to develop a monthly giving circle.
• Manage high-level relationships with funders, prospective funders, and high net-worth individuals.
• Support the Executive Director’s engagement in major gifts and foundation cultivation and stewardship through research, briefing, and logistical support.
• Oversee the use and management of the donor database (eTapestry)
  • Creatively work to use data to drive fundraising decision-making.
  • Maintain meticulous records on donor and prospect giving.
• Oversee the execution of AGE Africa’s annual fundraiser with a fundraising goal of $100,000 per year.
  • Develop key messaging and fundraising strategy tools to galvanize athlete participation.
  • Work with Executive Director to plan and execute events.
• Work with the Executive Director to produce PR materials, organizational messaging, e-newsletters, and effective use of social media.
• Oversee the development and output of a 2,000-person direct mail appeal.
• Plan low-touch outreach and point of entry events as needed.
• Oversee aspects of fundraising administration including:
  • Management of donor database, eTapestry
  • Management of communications database, Constant Contact
  • Gift processing and donor stewardship.
• Effective use of data: Track, evaluate, and report communications-related metrics for distinct campaigns, digital content, and fundraising efforts, with the help of the Executive Director.
• Develop a strong working relationship with AGE Africa staff in Malawi to monitor in-country fundraising efforts by AGE Africa Malawi staff.
• Represent AGE Africa in appropriate events, conferences, and in-person meetings.

CRITICAL QUALITIES

• You are a mission-driven person with a passion for social justice and gender equity.
• You think of yourself as a hard worker, a self-starter, flexible, and as someone who is unafraid to take on new opportunities and responsibilities.
• You have strong attention to detail and believe in reviewing your work and asking for feedback whenever it may strengthen your efforts.
• You have a ready willingness to take an uplifting and positive approach to your work.
• You have a strong sense of integrity and believe in producing the best work possible.
• You have no trouble with (and sometimes enjoy) multitasking and can make steady progress on multiple projects simultaneously.
• You enjoy working independently, collaboratively and can adapt to work well in a small team.
• You have the ability to connect with others, build relationships, and bring a sense of enthusiasm to meeting new people in a variety of contexts.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Must have a minimum of two-three years of fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record of success.
  • Experience cultivating, securing and/or stewarding Corporate giving a plus.
• Prior experience with major gifts cultivation and/or portfolio management.
• Must have excellent written communication skills. No exceptions.
• Must have excellent oral communication skills, with prior experience in public speaking and/or presenting.
• Must demonstrate a strong personal commitment to AGE Africa’s work and mission.
• Ability to multi-task, work productively with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.
• Excellent personal organizational skills.
• Positive attitude and ability to motivate others effectively.
• Previous experience in education or international development sectors a plus, as is familiarity with sub-Saharan Africa, sub-Saharan African funders and/or international education is a plus.
• Previous experience with event coordination and/or ‘race fundraising’ an advantage.
• Must have a passion for fundraising.
• Master’s degree preferred, but not required in light of relevant professional experience.

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ABOUT AGE AFRICA

Advancing Girls’ Education in Africa’s mission is to provide life-changing opportunities for young women in Malawi through targeted initiatives in education, mentoring, and leadership development. Our vision is that all girls in Africa will have equal access to secondary education and that young scholars will be empowered to finish school, leverage their educations into viable opportunities for earned income, and have the tools they need to self-advocate for their own life choices. Since 2005, AGE Africa accomplishes this goal through a combination of educational programs that include scholarships for needy girls to attend secondary school and tertiary education, as well as holistic after-school programming in life skills education and career guidance. In Malawi only 6% of women hold a secondary school degree and less than 1% of women hold a university degree, over 90% of AGE Africa participants graduate from secondary and more than half move on to college or university, and AGE Africa scholars are more than likely to be the first in their families to attend and complete secondary school, and move on to university.

Reports to: Executive Director

Liaison to: The Board of Directors

Hours: Full time, exempt.

Staff Support: The Development Manager will be assigned, two part-time interns.

Salary Range:  Will be dependent on experience

Office Location:  This position is based out of AGE Africa’s office in Washington DC.

To Apply:  Please email cover letter, CV, and writing sample (preferably a case document or successful proposal for which you are the sole author) to [email protected]. Please put your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until May 1^st, or until the position is filled. No phone calls, please.