The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to work on behalf of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in the Director General’s Office (DGO), headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. ILRI is seeking to recruit a highly skilled and innovative Senior Resource Mobilization Specialist to support IFPRI’s fundraising and donor engagement strategy. This position offers a unique platform for an individual who thrives in strategic roles, enjoys developing high-impact relationships, and excels in coordinating institutional resource mobilization efforts.
IFPRI is a premier global research organization providing evidence-based policy solutions aimed at sustainably reducing poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in developing countries. It is one of the 15 CGIAR research centers, and works collaboratively with national and international partners in more than 50 countries. The ideal candidate for this position will be experienced in designing and executing fundraising strategies, drafting successful proposals, and cultivating long-term partnerships with foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and other strategic funders.
About ILRI and IFPRI
ILRI is dedicated to improving food and nutritional security and reducing poverty in developing countries through research on efficient, safe, and sustainable livestock use. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI is the only CGIAR center focused exclusively on livestock. IFPRI, on the other hand, was established in 1975 and is focused on providing policy solutions in agriculture, nutrition, and development. The institute employs over 600 staff globally, advancing research across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The successful applicant will be stationed in Nairobi and will serve within the Director General’s Office, working in close collaboration with IFPRI’s research, finance, and communications teams, as well as with its regional programs.
Position Summary
The Senior Resource Mobilization Specialist will be central to advancing IFPRI’s global fundraising strategy. The individual will play a key role in proactively identifying funding opportunities, supporting proposal development, managing donor relations, and helping position the institute within global donor networks. This strategic role goes beyond grant writing and includes donor intelligence, stewardship, and building long-term partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Execution
- Provide strategic guidance and advice to senior staff and research leads on the development and implementation of effective fundraising strategies.
- Conduct donor prospecting through competitive intelligence gathering, identifying potential funders including foundations, high-net-worth individuals, private sector actors, government bodies, and multilateral agencies.
- Advise on approach strategies for donor engagement, prepare communication materials and outreach plans tailored to specific funding prospects.
- Support and manage cultivation and stewardship for select donors, maintaining strong and professional relationships to encourage long-term support.
- Translate donor interests and strategies into viable fundraising opportunities that align with IFPRI’s research agenda.
Proposal Development and Coordination
- Collaborate with research units and corporate services teams to coordinate and streamline proposal development across the institute.
- Provide hands-on support throughout the proposal lifecycle—from project concept to full submission—ensuring proposals are technically sound, well-articulated, and compliant with donor requirements.
- Ensure timely and high-quality inputs from multi-disciplinary teams, tracking the progress of proposal development and coordinating necessary internal approvals.
- Offer quality control through detailed review of proposal documents, facilitating grant writing or editorial support where necessary.
- Evaluate and propose improvements to existing proposal development systems, contributing to more efficient processes and stronger outputs.
Strategic Donor Intelligence and Networking
- Develop a structured system to track and analyze donor trends, funding priorities, strategic shifts, and pipelines across various geographies and sectors.
- Provide strategic insight and guidance to the Director General’s Office, regional teams, and research leaders to align fundraising efforts with emerging donor priorities.
- Represent IFPRI at donor meetings, external engagements, and relevant global events, acting as a key liaison and positioning the institute effectively within strategic networks.
- Support the creation and dissemination of targeted partnership materials such as capability statements, investment briefs, and thematic concept notes tailored to donor needs.
- Facilitate relationship-building initiatives between research units and funding organizations, promoting collaborative planning, co-investment discussions, and joint design of initiatives.
Partnership Development and Stakeholder Engagement
- Initiate and nurture high-impact relationships with new and existing donors, identifying opportunities for joint partnerships and program co-creation.
- Work with internal communications and leadership teams to align messaging and materials with external funding priorities and opportunities.
- Support efforts to enhance IFPRI’s visibility and credibility within key donor ecosystems.
- Monitor institutional positioning and adjust engagement tactics to strengthen donor relationships and institutional competitiveness.
Other Duties
- Provide support in the coordination of strategic institutional events.
- Collaborate with other resource mobilization staff across CGIAR centers to align and enhance collective fundraising efforts.
- Contribute to special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned by the Director General’s Office.
Required Competencies and Experience
- Master’s degree in agricultural development, international development, agricultural economics, project management, or a related field.
- A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years of management responsibility in fundraising, partnership development, or business development.
- Proven experience working in international development contexts and within a business development team supporting nonprofit or research-oriented organizations.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing fundraising strategies, conducting prospect research, and managing donor relationships.
- A successful track record in developing high-quality funding proposals for a range of donors including government agencies, foundations, private sector partners, and philanthropic individuals.
- Strong networking and influencing skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and donors effectively.
- Experience in donor mapping, institutional positioning, and cultivating strategic partnerships in complex international environments.
- Proficiency in translating donor strategies into actionable partnership approaches.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize technical content for varied audiences.
- High levels of professionalism, with a proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage multiple tasks, and deliver on deadlines.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills, with attention to detail.
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively across global teams, often across time zones.
- Willingness to travel as needed.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and donor management databases.
- Background or demonstrated interest in international development, agriculture, nutrition, and/or food systems.
- Experience working in or with institutions operating in Africa, Asia, or Latin America is an added advantage.
Location and Contract Terms
The selected candidate will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and will serve under a 1-year fixed-term renewable contract. This position is open to Kenyan nationals only and is graded at Job Level HG 18.
ILRI offers a competitive compensation package, including pension contributions, medical insurance, education benefits, and other standard insurances.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- A detailed cover letter expressing interest in the role, outlining what the applicant can bring to the position.
- A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV).
- Contact details for three referees (including email addresses and telephone numbers), who can provide insight into the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience.
All applications should be addressed to the Head of People and Culture, quoting the position title and reference number REF: R0/IFPRI/2025 in the subject line of the cover letter.
Applications must be submitted by 20 August 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Please note:
ILRI does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process. This includes application submission, interview arrangements, and training. Additionally, the institute does not require applicants to provide banking information during the recruitment process.
