The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center, is seeking an innovative & multi skilled candidate to join as the Manager – Resource Mobilization and Partnerships.

This is an internationally recruited position; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply. Please disregard the preferred geographic location indicated above, as this is a technical limitation of the Workable software. The position / successful candidate can be based in Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia or Kenya.

The Manager – Resource Mobilization and Partnerships will be responsible for the sourcing and screening of funding opportunities, engagement with donors and funders, proposal development, and the development and implementation of a resource mobilization action plan for the African Continent.

While working under the direct supervision of the Senior Manager – Resource Mobilization, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with IWMI Country Representatives based in Africa to ensure the seamless integration of the pipeline and proposal development process into IWMI’s program management cycle. Close coordination with multiple departments and teams, such as Communications and Knowledge Management, Finance, Legal, and the Research programmes, is integral to the role.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Donor Relations and Donor Intelligence in Africa,

• Conduct research and analysis to provide intelligence on funding opportunities and donor priorities on the African continent.
• Provide assessments and background information on prospective new donors for Africa, including the private sector and foundations.
• Analyze and monitor donor strategies targeting Africa, ensuring the maintenance of complete and up-to-date donor information.
• Develop briefing notes and coordinate communication materials for donor visits and events in collaboration with the Communications and Knowledge Management (CKM) Group.
• Engage and consult with donors, partners, and stakeholders, and gather country-level business development intelligence from IWMI country offices in Africa.
• Contribute to donor intelligence activities of the CGIAR IFRM (Innovative Finance and Resource Mobilization) Department.
• Advise research programs and working groups on relevant donor requirements/compliance, potential funding opportunities, and changes in donor priorities.

Management of the Project Proposal Pipeline for Africa, Providing Support to the Proposal Development Process for Africa-focused Submissions,

• Oversee the monitoring, identification, screening, and summarizing of prospective funding opportunities in Africa (e.g., calls for proposals, tenders, requests for tenders, consultancies) and donor opportunities (e.g., launch of new programs) to ensure the steady flow of research proposals for Africa through the project pipeline. The role will also support the coordination of Go/No-Go approval processes.
• Respond to research calls and commissioned research contracts for Africa and guide the proposal development and submission processes.
• Advise and assist IWMI researchers in the preparation and processing of the proposal development and submission process, as per donor requirements; draft and provide letters of support, etc.
• Ensure strict compliance with quality control checks in the proposal development process, including due diligence of partners.
• Coordinate the negotiation of agreements and contracts with partners and donors, with oversight from the Director – Business Strategy and Delivery.
• Contribute to proposal development trainings and proposal design workshops.

Strategy Development and Implementation,

• Work with management to develop a comprehensive resource mobilization action plan for the African Continent aligned with IWMI’s Organizational Growth strategy and Partnerships strategy.
• Support engagement of IWMI with the One CGIAR IFRM Department to achieve optimized benefits for resource mobilization and support integration of water and water systems into joint CGIAR activities and strategies.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential,

• Master’s degree in international relations, communications, business management, marketing, or another discipline relevant to IWMI’s mandate.
• Minimum of 08 years of demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, fundraising, and/or grant management, ideally in an international or national research organization within the development or R4D (research for development) sectors.
• Demonstrated capacity to analyze partnership opportunities and proven experience in developing and implementing successful resource mobilization strategies.
• Experience in building, maintaining, and managing relationships with strategic partners, preferably multilaterals, governmental institutions, and non-profit organizations.
• Demonstrable experience of leading, supporting, and monitoring large, multi-country, bilateral, multilateral, private sector, and philanthropic projects and partnerships.
• Extensive experience working at the international level and with a variety of international funding agencies.
• Experience working in Africa and with African-based regional organizations.

Desirable,

• Exposure in water resources management, climate change, or natural resources is an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• Strong knowledge of the regional funding landscape.
• Sound understanding of the research content across the scope of IWMI’s work.
• Ability to liaise with key donor agencies.
• Strong project management skills; meets deadlines; a sense of urgency and responsibility; ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
• Strong ability to effectively engage with others, cultivate positive relationships, and work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural setting.
• Excellent communication skills in oral and written English, with the capability to negotiate and interact effectively at all levels.
• Strong organizational, business, and proposal writing skills.
• Ability to work across organizational boundaries while demonstrating strong self-motivation and excellent teamwork skills.
• Proven financial management skills relevant to overseeing the project pipeline and resource allocation.
• Excellent intrapreneurial skills coupled with a dynamic and creative approach to work.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

Desirable,

• Ability to communicate in French language is desirable.

Benefits

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary, an attractive retirement plan, comprehensive international health insurance, life insurance accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on March 27, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.