Terms of reference: Fundraising and Communications Officer
The purpose of the position:
Under the general guidance of the Regional programme manager and the Fundraising and Communications manager, and with frequent interaction and technical support from the communications and fundraising department of ICS Netherlands, the incumbent will be responsible for developing/translating and implementing the communications and fundraising initiatives of ICS Africa.
The position will be based in the ICS Africa regional offices in Nairobi.
Key areas of accountability
Fundraising
- Consolidate existing partnership with major international and corporate donors to maintain or increase their contributions to ICS programmes; ensuring additional income by first half of 2013. Fundraising targets have been set per programme
- Research corporate landscape – A mapping and segmentation of corporate prospects in the region with research to include, interests and potential range of investors and /partnerships, etc.
- New Prospects: Ensure follow-up contact with prospects who have expressed interest in partnering with ICS. Significantly expand prospect base by targeting specific private sector companies and international donors
- Organize and implement donor/investor cultivation events in the region
- Ensure donors and partners receive consistent, quality communications and have highly effective opportunities to engage with ICS programmes.
- Write fundraising materials, including letters of inquiry, grant proposals, acknowledgement letters, and other donor-targeted content.
- Develop and maintain ICS donation and prospect records in a fundraising database,
- Monitoring of fundraising costs and income against plan. Ensuring correct procedures followed and donor/investor requirements are clear to the programme teams
Communication
- Develop/translate and implement the ICS Africa communications strategy
- Will have a primary responsibility for internal and external communications of ICS Africa including liaison with internal and external partners, stakeholders, foundations , government, the media and potential investors ;
- Brand visibility: Promote the new ICS brand with clear messaging and targeting of specific audiences. The new brand is expected to gain regional and global recognition over time.
- Lead communications efforts around various events planned within ICS Africa, including knowledge fairs, ICS regional and international meetings, conferences, workshops hosted by ICS etc.
- Lead the development of communications material on results and impact, also in support of the ongoing fundraising campaigns. Lead and coordinate materials that ‘sell’ the relevance of ICS programmes
- Provide active guidance on more optimal use and work on improvements of website, including social media and production of new audiovisual materials.
- Maintain and strengthen the existing partnership with civil society organizations, foundations and other external and new partners.
- Lead the development of the production ICS annual reports and lead on preparation of related communications material.
- Develop/provide input to briefing notes, press releases, communiqués, talking points and speeches for external and internal communications
Educational background & previous work experience:
- A degree in a relevant field: Business administration, business management, communications, public/international relations, or journalism
- At least 5 year’s work experience in fundraising, communications and/or public relations, media, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Sales (of organizations projects) – and account management experience a must
- Knowledge of current theories and practices in fundraising, marketing and communications highly desirable.
- MA in a relevant field is an asset;
- Work experience within a national/international project is a must
Competencies required
- Proven ability to design and implement complex resource mobilization strategies and to bring additional income in
- Proven ability to open new doors, to built a network of organizations and funds that are willing to support ICS financially
- Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major campaigns, including in the field of marketing and branding, especially utilising modern communication tools and processes
- Proven skills in information, communication, marketing, fund-raising outreach, advocacy and ability to relate to mass media:
- Experience in different forms of communications production and marketing including, web-based applications , social media networking as well as on-line campaigning:
- Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines and to manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiency;
- Knowledge about institutional and multilateral donors and an understanding of the politics affecting major donors and their policies
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Well developed sense of creativity and innovation
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
How to Apply
Eligible candidates are requested to submit an online application at the following link: rorecruit@icsafrica.org: with the subject: Application for communications and fundraising officer.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 11th February 2012.
Applications received after this will not be considered.
In view of the volume of applications, only candidates being invited to an interview will be contacted