AGI Fundraising and Grants Manager

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About the Africa Governance Initiative
The Africa Governance Initiative (AGI) is a UK charity pioneering a new way of working with African countries, supporting governments to develop the capacities they need to turn their leaders’ development visions into real change. Our work is underpinned by the principle that effective governance and results-oriented political leadership are essential for delivering the public services and nurturing the thriving private sector that will create sustainable development and end aid dependency in Africa. We work with countries – currently Sierra Leone, Liberia and Rwanda – that are at turning points in their history, and where we have had an invitation from the Head of Government to provide support. Our model of capacity development combines the high-level experience of Tony Blair with an on-the-ground team of professionals recruited from the international public and private sector, working at the heart of government in presidential offices, investment agencies and key ministries.
Founded by Tony Blair (who is now the charity’s Patron) in 2008, AGI is a young but growing organisation, with ambitious plans to expand our operations to additional countries and develop new products and services for African governments as well as development partners. Our London office sets the strategic direction of the organisation, manages the performance of our country teams, and performs essential fundraising, financial and operational functions for the organisation.
Job Summary
With an exciting agenda and forward strategy in place, AGI wishes to strengthen its fundraising operation so that it can support AGI’s ongoing development, growth and expanding influence. We are looking to recruit a Fundraising and Grants Manager to join our small and dynamic team in London to help lead this effort, and diversify our donor base to include a broad range of bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations and major donors.
The successful candidate will thrive in a start-up atmosphere, and have a creative and entrepreneurial attitude, and proven experience of successfully raising funds, managing grants and, ideally, building fundraising operations.
Reporting to AGI’s Director of Strategy and Fundraising, the Fundraising and Grants Manager will be responsible for:
Designing and delivering a coherent and effective fundraising programme for AGI
- Leading the design and implementation of a project to professionalize AGI’s fundraising operation, setting up a pipeline for proposals and knowledge management systems, and helping to embed it across the organisation;
- Engaging programme teams to build awareness of fundraising and foster a more business development-focused mindset;
- Supporting the Director of Strategy and Fundraising to implement, evaluate and refine AGI’s overall fundraising strategy and work plan;
Prospecting and managing donor relations
- Proactively identifying and cultivating new sources of income, representing AGI at the highest level with new and current donors;
- Building and managing relationships with a range of new and current donors, in particular multilateral and bilateral development agencies, as well as foundations;
Preparing proposals
- Leading the design, writing and timely submission of proposals and concept notes in coordination with programme teams, the finance team and the Director of Strategy;
- Acquiring and maintaining an in-depth knowledge of AGI’s work, including regular field travel (e.g. once or twice a year to AGI projects) in order to develop a compelling case for support.
Grant Management
- Supporting the programme teams in programme cycle management, from project design (including the development of log frames), to monitoring and evaluation and reporting - conducting training through regular field visits as necessary;
- Coordinating reporting with the management team, finance team and programme teams and ensuring compliance with all terms and conditions of the grant agreement, maintaining the grant management schedule;
- Working in coordination with the finance team to meet donor requirements such as reporting.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate for this role would have the following qualifications, experience and competencies:
Qualifications and Experience
 An excellent academic and professional track record; educated to degree-level or equivalent with a Masters in development, or comparable work experience including the development of large scale programme design, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, budgeting and log frames;
 A proven, broad-based track record of successfully securing, managing and monitoring large and complex grants (e.g. grants of £500,000 or more) from multilateral and bilateral development agencies. Knowledge of fundraising requirements and best practices, with substantial experience of building successful
fundraising operations e.g. setting up a fundraising team for a new charity or establishing a new unit within a more established fundraising team;
 Experience of successful fundraising from USAID, UN, WB, DfID, EC and other bilateral and multilateral agencies highly desirable;
 Experience securing grants for public sector reform work, and knowledge of approaches to monitoring and evaluation within this area highly desirable;
 Significant prior experience of securing funds from foundations and trusts as well as high net worth individuals desirable.
Competencies
 Excellent proposal writing skills;
 Excellent numeracy skills and an ability to work with complex budgets;
 Strong written and verbal communication skills;
 Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize high volumes of work to meet tight deadlines;
 Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to work in a team and inspire colleagues and peers;
 Ability to understand donor priorities so as to be able to pitch a proposed programme of activities;
 Self motivated, with the ability to work under limited supervision and exercise judgement and diplomacy;
 Ability to work effectively with staff across all areas of AGI’s work to ensure effective fundraising and project delivery
 Excellent problem-solving skills, with an entrepreneurial, “can-do” attitude;
 Understanding of best practice in fundraising, charity and international development;
 Ability and willingness to travel.
Job information and how to apply
This is a permanent position and we are looking for candidates to start in Summer 2011. The role will involve significant travel to Africa.
Remuneration will be dependent on experience and competitive with the international charitable sector.
To apply, please send a CV and covering letter detailing your interest in the role and relevant expertise to Harry.Bradwell@tb-agi.org
The closing date for this position is 9am, Wednesday 13th April 2011.
For more information on the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative, you may wish to refer to www.africagovernance.org.
If you require further information on our organization, please contact Megan Lees-McCowan at Megan.Lees-McCowan@tb-agi.org