Programme Partnership Manager

Role Purpose

Lead on delivering grants and partnerships for SolarAid’s new ambitious plans to leave no one in the dark by 2030.

Our mission - No one left in the dark by 2030

Along with our social enterprise, SunnyMoney, SolarAid aims to reach the poorest people in the most remote communities in Arica with clean and affordable light. Our approach is creating a sustainable solar market in Africa through solar enterprises. This has proved to be more effective than handouts of aid.

The latest projections show there will be 600 million people still living in the dark in Africa by 2030. This is the deadline for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals - number 7 being ‘universal access to clean and affordable energy’.  Much more needs to be done for no one to be left in the dark by 2030. No home, no school and no clinic in Africa should be left in the dark when the sun goes down.

We are in a new growth phase, and we are looking for an ambitious and agile fundraiser to join the team to us help achieve our mission and to grow sustainable income from institutions, foundations and programme partners.

About the role

This new position is suited to an experienced fundraiser who is comfortable in bid writing, grant management and working with international teams on programme development. The role covers fundraising from institutions, foundations and building programme partnerships.

We are on target to receive £500k across these income streams for 2019/2020 and are looking to increase this forecast to £1.2 million in 2021/22. Our growth is directly linked to our change in strategy. 

Whilst we still look to maintain our business-based, market-building model, we are looking Beyond the Market. Millions of people cannot afford the most affordable solar light that we or anyone else sells. Therefore, we are looking at innovation to reach these individuals and communities. Essentially, we are launching new ambitious programmes which need partners and funding. 

This position will be responsible for the process from programme development to acquiring funding to grant management. You will work closely with the SunnyMoney teams in Malawi and Zambia (currently our areas of focus) to ensure we have a regular flow of information to build bids and manage grants - this flow of information supports the whole team.

You will manage the Programme Partnerships Officer who is responsible for small/medium trust applications, prospect research and grant management. You will also work with the Director of Development to work on SolarAid’s larger strategic partnership plans. 

SolarAid will provide support through mentoring and training. We will also help you understand SolarAid’s approach to fundraising - based on inspiring people who believe in what we believe to spread our story. Our strong culture of positive fundraising, emphasising storytelling and valuing our supporters, makes for a very fulfilling working environment.

Your values

You will be expected to uphold the values and ethos of SolarAid in the way we engage with audiences, and inspire support, at all times.

Specific tasks

Identifying opportunities

• Building relationships with a variety of funders.
• Tracking of funding opportunities from governments, multi-laterals and foundations.
• Managing the plans for applications with reference to our programme delivery plan.

Programme development and bid writing

• Working with the teams in Malawi and Zambia on their planned work, gathering information and data to build into programmes to fundraise against.
• Working with the Director of Development on larger strategic partnerships programmes for the organisation – including country expansion and Beyond the Market innovations with the wider sector.
• Writing complex bids to a variety of funders – from Governments to Foundations.
• Reacting to the more rigid funding opportunities as well as preparing bids to present to those we have been developing relationships with.
• Agreeing and managing a work plan for the Programme Partnerships Officer for small to medium opportunities.

Programme and grant management

The nature of our work means we are always active. You will be responsible for:

• Ensuring a regular flow of data and programme information is being collected by the teams in Malawi and Zambia and shared with SolarAid in London.
• Ensuring every team member, in London and internationally, has agreed on their reporting responsibilities before each grant begins.
• Managing each grant management process and sharing report writing responsibilities with the Programme Partnerships Officer.
• Designing reporting templates for efficient data collection from the Malawi and Zambian teams.

Partnerships

• Partnerships (i.e. work beyond a funding relationship) are essential to the delivery of our ambitious plans. This role will include forming practical and influential partnerships with multilaterals (e.g. World Bank) and potential replicators of our model and/or partners who want to utilise energy for their needs (e.g. health).
• The role will also include managing the delivery of research partnerships.

Team Fundraising

As a small tight knit team every role is expected to help achieve the team’s overall fundraising target in order to further the organisation’s mission. This includes mucking in to help the running of the office and creating a positive working environment.

Personal Specification

Skills and Competencies

• A sunny disposition, of course!
• Able to collaborate with colleagues from a range of cultures and backgrounds.
• Great team player and willing to support colleagues.
• Able to work with minimal supervision.
• Able to present to audiences clearly and passionately
• Excellent phone manner.
• Able to write in an engaging, clear and concise way for a variety of audiences.
• Able to analyse data to determine the best approach and maximise learning.
• Attention to detail.
• Willingness to try new approaches and learn from mistakes.
• Interest in the issues SolarAid is tackling and international development more widely.
• Occasionally willing to work evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to travel.

Experience – Essential

• Experience in grant fundraising and building programme partnerships for a minimum of 3 years.
• Experience in writing and managing complex bids.
• Understanding of international development and climate change issues.

Experience – Desirable

• Worked in a small team.
• Working in an international team.
• Worked overseas for short periods of time.
• Line management.
• Understanding of GDPR and good practice in relation to fundraising.

Application Process

Please send a covering letter stating why your experience is relevant for this position along with your CV. Applicants without a covering letter will not be considered.

Application deadline 27th Nov 2019 (once you apply you may be contacted before the closing deadline).

Interviews will take place as and when suitable candidates apply.