Global Development Director

ABOUT SPARK MICROGRANTS

Spark MicroGrants believes in a world where everyone lives with dignity and determines their own positive future. Spark has worked in 1000+ villages in 6 countries and has pioneered a community-driven development model in sub-Saharan Africa. Spark works with NGO and Government partners to scale the model's adoption and impact on rural communities - on their own terms. Our model combines facilitated community meetings with a small, discretionary grant to catalyze local action and institution building. Read more about our Approach, Impact and Values on our website. 

WHO YOU ARE 

We are seeking a leader who is fueled by making partnerships happen, closing deals, and engaging with people to imagine a better future together. You get energy from connecting with people, an urgent mission, and are diligent about follow through. Your peers would remark about you that you are motivated by audacious yet achievable partnerships, don’t let important things fall through the cracks, and you are always striving for more. You know how to build trusting relationships, make an ask, and bring resources to the table for high impact development work. You care about long term results, not only short term wins, but you take action when opportunities arise. You will independently develop fundraising strategies, manage a robust donor portfolio, and advance opportunities from early cultivation through close.

The Global Development Director will work closely with Spark’s CEO, fundraising team, and executive leadership to shape and execute Spark’s overall philanthropic and strategic partnerships. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Fundraising Year One Goal: Develop and begin to beta test a philanthropic round for Spark that encompases a potential 2x direct growth with 10x leverage. 

• Drive revenue growth for the organization. 
• Develop a strategic brief on how Spark hypothesizes it can reach 100 million people over the next decade. 
• Govern the fundraising team with measurable targets, coaching, and cultivate a supportive environment. 
• Meet with 10+ partners and 10+ prospective partners to garner input on the strategy with the CEO. 

2. Communications Year One Goal: Hire and increase external communications and engagement by 15%. 

• Hire and manage a senior communications manager.
• Support strategic communications to external partners. 

3. Brand building Year One Goal: Build the brand of Spark’s community-driven work based on the data and culture. 

• Develop a field building approach to cultivate enthusiasm and understanding of community-driven change.
• Identify and cultivate new strategic partners for the organization. 
• Run cultivation processes and events.

What You Bring

• 10+ years of professional experience combined with a proven track record of closing significant philanthropic gifts or partnerships, including major and multi-year commitments.
• Honesty, integrity, and community orientation to your work. 
• Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and advance a fundraising pipeline from prospecting through close.
• Strategic thinking paired with a strong bias toward action and results.
• High emotional intelligence and strong relationship instincts.
• Comfort operating independently in a senior, externally facing role.

OTHER INFORMATION

Job Location: Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Uganda, Elsewhere in East Africa will also be considered, if candidates already possess valid, legal work authorization for other requested job locations. 

Reporting to: Growth Director or CEO

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: Salary is based on geographic location and commensurate with experience

Probation period: Three months probation period with learning and performance objectives

How to Apply: Follow the link to apply:  https://sparkmicrogrants.bamboohr.com/careers/161 

SAFEGUARDING

Our safeguarding follows a do no harm principle. All Spark staff are expected to respect and uphold the safeguarding procedures and principles to minimize harm to stakeholders, program participants, and the environment, in compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and national legislation in the countries where we operate. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.