Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor
Position Title: Partnerships Manager
Department: Partnerships & Communications
Place of work: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: Permanent Grade: 9
Salary: KES 4,022,159 – 4,279,543 annual salary, plus mobile phone with allowance, up to 10% matched pension contribution, medical insurance, and life assurance
Reports to: Head of Funding (in London)
About Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)
Today, around one billion city-dwellers lack access to safe drinking water, a number the UN estimates will nearly double by 2050 as more and more people are moving to cities for work and other opportunities, most of them ending up living in informal settlements without basic services. Meanwhile the changing climate is making water even more precious. Against this backdrop, our work has never been more vital.
WSUP is a not-for-profit company, expert at improving water and sanitation services for low income, urban communities. We work alongside utilities, entrepreneurs, and communities to develop and deliver solutions which are affordable for the poor, financially viable for suppliers, and sustainable for the environment.
We were founded in 2005 in the UK, and currently work in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, Ghana, Zambia, Bangladesh), supported by a global Secretariat. We are a small organisation, but we have a big impact; since inception we have helped nearly 40 million people with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene services. And we have ambitions to reach many more.
WSUP’s innovative approach to creating impact is guided by our values, which are the common fundamental beliefs and principles that inform our approach and work. All our staff are expected to embody these values in their day-to-day work and interactions. To learn more about our values, please see www.wsup.com/about/work-with-us/
For more information about WSUP's vision and approach, see www.wsup.com.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious fundraiser with a proven track record in grant management, business development and relationship management to join our friendly Partnerships and Communications team and support our global funding strategy and the achievement of our ambitious goals.
Job Description
Overall purpose
This Partnerships and Communications Manager role is a key part of the global team responsible for securing funding for WSUP’s work. The role includes relationship management of existing including overseeing grant management and reporting, and new business generation including pipeline management and developing stewardship plans and actions.
You will manage and grow existing funding partnerships across a broad range of funder types and identify and build new ones. You will work closely with colleagues in the Global Secretariat and in our countries of operation to identify, develop and sustain relationships with funders. The role offers a wide and varied portfolio, international responsibilities, and scope for creativity, agile thinking and taking on challenges.
The role is based in our Nairobi operational office, allowing you to benefit from proximity to our expert and welcoming team there, but this is a global role that is part of the Secretariat, and carries with it a portfolio with grants and funders across all WSUP’s countries. Existing funders you will manage include international corporations, major philanthropic trusts and foundations, and institutional funders, particularly providing support on a new and ambitious project in Kenya with a major UN funder. You will work closely with the managers of WSUP country offices and other colleagues to identify and support the development of relationships with funding sources at a local level, for example national businesses.
Main responsibilities & tasks
1. Strategy
• Plan and lead on WSUP’s engagement with those identified prospects including developing stewardship plans and maintaining an up-to-date pipeline and income projection, in line with WSUP’s global funding strategy and adhering to WSUP’s due diligence requirements
• Identify and brief the Head of Funding on any identified key risks, issues, and mitigations in a timely manner, and provide guidance to relevant teams to improve organisational understanding of the terms and conditions of grants and contracts
• Stay well informed of latest developments in WASH funding and financing with a view to identifying funding opportunities for WSUP
2. New Business Development
• Develop new business opportunities through proactive research to identify prospective funders in coordination with colleagues in the team
• Work closely with the Head of Funding and country teams to identify and develop country-level funding opportunities, including donor research, network mapping and due diligence
• Work with the Head of Funding and other colleagues to support the development of complex, multi-partner/multi-country proposals
• Lead in managing the preparation, submission and follow up of high-quality funding proposals, presentations, and concept notes to your target prospects. This will require working closely with the Finance and Programmes teams to ensure cost recovery is built into all proposal budgets.
3. Relationship Management
• Take overall responsibility for developing and strengthening relationships with current funders within your portfolio, working closely with senior colleagues in Kenya and internationally, to ensure exemplary delivery of projects and fulfilment of related reporting requirements.
• Identify strategic external communications opportunities relating to funder partnerships and liaise with communications colleagues to ensure opportunities are maximised
• Participate in conferences, workshops and workgroups to build relationships within the sector.
• Be a core member of the Project Task Force (PTF) by attending the meetings and contributing towards project discussions
Other
• Adherence to WSUP policies regarding safeguarding and Business Ethics
• Willingness to travel within Kenya and internationally
• Any additional duties as may be reasonably required within the scope of the above This document is not an exhaustive list of core elements of the role. This job description is a working document and may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement.
How to apply
To apply for this position, go to https://www.wsup.com/vacancies/ to upload your resume and cover letter.
Please note: This job is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Applicants must have the right to work in Kenya at the time of application. Please do not apply if this is not the case