KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide strategic direction in the evolving funding landscape, lead the 2027 - 2032 Resource Mobilization Strategy, build values-based partnerships, represent in coordination forums, contribute to country leadership, and ensure accountability through Plan International Kenya (PIK) Board reporting and Youth Advisory Panel engagement.
Lead donor and partner cultivation, build a diversified funding pipeline, and guide evidence-based "go/no-go" decisions. The role drives responsible private sector engagement, pursues innovative finance (blended, climate, outcomes-based), strengthens humanitarian mechanisms, builds competitive consortia with diverse actors, and expands local fundraising through Kenyan corporates, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.
Drive PIK's funding and partnership agenda by cultivating diverse donor relationships, building a balanced pipeline across grants, contracts, humanitarian and local sources, and guiding evidence-based investment decisions. Lead responsible private sector engagement, pursue innovative finance (blended, climate, outcomes-based), strengthen humanitarian programming, build competitive consortia with civil society and private actors, and expand local fundraising through Kenyan corporates, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.
Secure and shape PIK's funding portfolio by leading capture planning, overseeing high-quality proposal development, and ensure strong theories of change with integrated gender, inclusion, safeguarding, MEL, and risk management. Facilitate co-creation with donors and partners, prepare compelling value-for-money narratives and budgets, and implement rigorous quality assurance across bids, budgets, and compliance to maximize competitiveness and sustainability.
Build and sustain a high-performing business development function: lead and mentor the BD team, strengthen systems and tools, and expand country-wide capability in future-facing funding modalities. Drive continuous learning from bids to improve competitiveness, ensure smooth transitions from pre-award to post-award, and embed strong processes for pipeline tracking, partner frameworks, and compliance to maximize funding success and organizational resilience.
Accountable for fundraising targets, transparent reporting, donor engagement, timely compliant proposals, after-action reviews, and performance of the BD team.
Plan International has a robust global policy for Safeguarding and PII policy for Preventing Sexual Harassment Exploitation and Abuse; and Gender Equality and Inclusion principles and Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to your area of responsibility. You will therefore have a responsibility to adhere and enforce adherence of staff and associates within your sphere of responsibility.
You will be trusted to take on additional assignments within the scope of work as assigned by your supervisor on need basis.
What we are looking for:
Someone with Master's degree in International Development, business, economics, public policy, or related field (or equivalent professional experience).
10+ years of experience in business development / resource mobilization including successful leadership of complex bids and partnership negotiations for development and humanitarian opportunities.
Demonstrate success in securing funding from multiple and diverse funding sources such as grants, private sector, commercial contracts, impact investment, innovative finance, and local fundraising.
Someone with digital fluency with BD systems (pipeline), advanced Excel (including development and review of complex, cost-competitive budgets), collaboration platforms, responsible use of approved AI tools, and PowerPoint and other visual tools.
Proven experience building and leading high-performing teams, setting clear objectives, coaching and developing talent, and creating accountability to deliver results in fast-paced environments.
Experience working in Kenya and/or similar contexts; knowledge of key donor landscapes and compliance expectations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.