WIDEF DIGITAL INCLUSION RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

JOB SUMMARY:

Digital Inclusion is a growing priority for CARE USA, a cornerstone of which is the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) – a $60M+ initiative to close the gender digital divide globally. CARE, along with the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP) and the GSMA Foundation, lead this groundbreaking effort with support from USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among other donors. As an ever growing, multistakeholder initiative, the Digital Inclusion/WiDEF team requires a person capable of leading partnership development, stewardship, and coordination efforts for a large INGO in a significant sector, navigating complex relationships within and outside the organization.

As a member of the PSI team, the WiDEF/Digital Inclusion Relationship Manager will be tasked with cultivating and maintaining relationships with a portfolio of donors (including corporations, governments, foundations, high net worth individuals and investors), non-profit collaborators and WiDEF-supported organizations, as well as a host of cross-functional internal CARE partners and collaborators.

The Relationship Manager will lead concept and proposal development for current and prospective funders around key priorities as identified by the Digital Inclusion / WIDEF team and long-range strategic plans; develop and maintain internal communications and engagement processes with key stakeholders across International Programs and Operations; Program, Strategy and Innovation; Office of the President; and Resource Development; and work with a Grants Management team responsible for regular monitoring of implementation and spending, as well as reporting to donors, to ensure proper stewardship of the portfolio of active grants. Periodically, the DoP will represent the Digital Inclusion and/or WiDEF team internally and externally.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

DONOR CULTIVATION AND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT:

• Works with Digital Inclusion/WiDEF leadership and Resource Development (RD) teams to develop strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects and donors that will generate the largest and most strategic contributions. Leads donor relations functions for certain donors in the WiDEF portfolio, as assigned, and closely collaborate with RD leads on donor relations functions for donors/prospects in their portfolios. Meet with assigned donors to cultivate the relationship between WiDEF and donor partners, pitch ideas, obtain information about upcoming grant opportunities and solicit feedback on CARE’s submissions. Works in collaboration with RD teams to identify new opportunities, organizes donor meetings, and contribute to preparing briefing materials for the President and CEO of CARE and other senior managers as required. Oversees prospect research for new and existing donors within the Digital Inclusion space.

CONCEPT and PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

• As assigned by the Managing Director, takes the lead in developing selected concept papers and proposals for donors, including very large (7-figure+), complex, and organizationally strategic opportunities in support of WiDEF funding priorities. In close partnership with Digital Inclusion/WiDEF staff and other colleagues, authors and/or edits proposals for donors. Ensures that proposals submitted meet the highest quality standards and all donor guidelines. Works with the Grants Stewardship and Communications Coordinators in budget preparation, assembly of proposal documentation, and conducting relevant research for proposal preparation. Supports the development of work plans and budgets, and coordinates or negotiates with sub-grantees and partners

DONOR STEWARDSHIP

• Oversees the stewardship for WiDEF’s grant portfolio, especially for relationships managed by the position, as well as providing support and coordination with RD leads who oversee grants of particular complexity or strategic importance to WiDEF. This includes leading WiDEF quarterly leadership committee process – equivalent to managing board meeting preparations, meeting planning, etc. – with USAID and BMGF. Works closely with the Grants Managers, who are responsible for reporting to donors as well as tracking implementation and spending on grants. Facilitates relationships and guides Grant Managers’ efforts to work with sub-grantees or partners. Works directly with grantee to fill information gaps. This responsibility requires an understanding of CARE’s internal processes and policies, strong workflow management skills, and the ability to edit and write rapidly, in order to ensure the unit maintains an extremely high standard of excellence for reports and evidence generation.

COMMUNICTIONS and COORDINATION

• Generate evergreen and opportunity-specific partnership marketing materials for WiDEF, ensuring the program is always prepared to advance partnership opportunities. This includes developing standard materials as well as crafting tailored collateral for specific partners/cultivation opportunities, particularly presentations/pitch decks and follow up communications. Support overall WiDEF knowledge management, including ensuring WiDEF team and collaborators are able to access information easily and efficiently on demand. Under the guidance of the Managing Director, builds and maintains strong internal relationships, particularly with Global Management Team, Executive Management Team, Board of Directors, Resource Development, Institutional Program and Operations, and Program, Strategy and Innovation teams. Coordinate WiDEF engagement with these stakeholder groups to maximize value of CARE to WiDEF and of WiDEF to CARE, such as conduct outreach and present information about WiDEF at various internal fora and maintain and disseminate written information to increase organizational understanding project’s priorities and operating procedures. Coordinate WiDEF advisory council of 10-12 executive-level leaders in Digital Inclusion from across the global south including managing engagement and process, generating and refining agendas; preparing pre-reads and other materials; and supporting WiDEF Technical Director in managing quarterly meetings, including supporting online facilitation, capturing and ensuring completion of all follow up actions. Build relationships with advisory council members and explore avenues to maximize their value to WiDEF and of WiDEF to members and their institution

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 5-7 years of experience in any combination of fundraising, project design/management; proposal writing; program advisory or field work, preferably in Digital Inclusion. An understanding of gender programming as a cross cutting issues
• Detail oriented, self-sufficient and proactive – anticipate scenarios, develop contingency plans, proactively engage and guide leadership team to ensure partnerships are healthy and thriving
• Knowledge of global development landscape