The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), World Service, is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing humanitarian assistance and fostering development. LWF’s Kenya-Somalia Program is dedicated to assisting refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable host communities in Kenya and Somalia. With operations in Kakuma, Dadaab, and other arid regions, LWF Kenya-Somalia aims to create sustainable and impactful solutions that uplift the most marginalized populations.
To strengthen our resource mobilization and partnership efforts, we are looking for a highly motivated and experienced professional to join our team in Nairobi.
Position: Senior Program Development Officer
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with travel to field offices in Kenya and Somalia as required)
Reports to: Program Manager, Kenya-Somalia
Application Deadline: February 20, 2025
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Summary
The Senior Program Development Officer (SPDO) plays a key role in securing financial resources, strengthening strategic partnerships, and enhancing business development efforts for LWF’s Kenya-Somalia Program. This position is crucial in ensuring that LWF continues to deliver impactful and sustainable programs to vulnerable communities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Development, Resource Mobilization, and Fundraising
- Lead the development of project proposals, concept notes, and full proposals in alignment with LWF’s strategic objectives.
- Design and implement a resource mobilization strategy to secure funding from multiple sources, including institutional donors, foundations, and private sector entities.
- Identify and research potential funding opportunities and maintain a database of prospective donors and partners.
- Ensure that all proposals meet donor requirements while aligning with LWF’s mission and community needs.
- Maintain compliance with donor regulations, reporting expectations, and submission deadlines.
- Coordinate resource mobilization efforts across LWF Kenya-Somalia’s sectors.
2. Partnership Development
- Identify and establish strategic partnerships with NGOs, UN agencies, government institutions, and the private sector.
- Lead negotiations and facilitate agreements that align with LWF’s mission and foster effective program delivery.
- Maintain strong relationships with existing donors and partners through regular engagement and communication.
- Represent LWF in external forums, stakeholder meetings, and partnership discussions to increase the organization’s visibility.
3. Strategic Planning and Program Development
- Collaborate with internal teams to design and implement programs aligned with community needs and donor priorities.
- Ensure sustainability and capacity-building principles are embedded in all partnership and fundraising efforts.
- Support innovation and new project development to drive LWF’s humanitarian and development initiatives.
- Conduct assessments and research to identify new program opportunities.
- Contribute to the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, and strategic objectives related to resource mobilization.
4. Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation
- Track and report progress on resource mobilization efforts and fundraising targets.
- Develop donor reports in collaboration with program and finance teams to ensure compliance with funding expectations.
- Assist in program evaluations to assess impact and effectiveness of partnerships and funding initiatives.
- Provide regular updates to senior management on achievements, challenges, and opportunities related to resource mobilization.
- Document and share lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful initiatives.
- Participate in grant inception, launch, and closeout meetings to ensure proper fund management and accountability.
5. Capacity Building and Team Support
- Provide training and mentoring to LWF staff on fundraising, donor relations, and partnership development.
- Work closely with finance and program teams to ensure effective grant management and compliance.
- Develop communication materials, including brochures, donor reports, and newsletters, to enhance LWF’s visibility and outreach efforts.
Required Experience and Competencies
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.
- A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is an advantage.
Experience
- At least 7 years of professional experience in program development, fundraising, partnership building, or business development within the humanitarian or development sector.
- Proven track record in developing successful funding proposals and securing grants from bilateral, multilateral, and private donors.
- Strong understanding of donor policies, regulations, and compliance frameworks.
- Experience in negotiating and managing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including UN agencies, NGOs, and government bodies.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals and reports.
- Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with donors and partners.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- High level of organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising platforms or proposal management software.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify and pursue growth and sustainability opportunities.
- Results-Oriented: Commitment to achieving measurable outcomes and meeting targets.
- Collaboration: Strong teamwork skills and the ability to work effectively across functional teams.
- Adaptability: Willingness to adjust to changing priorities and new challenges.
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership skills and a proactive, solution-focused approach.
- High ethical standards, integrity, and accountability.
- Self-motivated, with a strong initiative and the ability to work independently.
Working Conditions
- This is a full-time position based in Nairobi, Kenya, with occasional travel to Somalia and field offices in Kenya as required.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about humanitarian work and meet the qualifications and experience required for this role, we encourage you to apply before February 20, 2025.
