Development Officer - Kenya

About Girls Not Brides

Girls Not Brides is an international coalition dedicated to ending child marriage and empowering girls worldwide to determine their own futures. Founded in 2011, it unites over 1,400 organizations across nearly 100 nations with a mission to eliminate child, early, and forced marriages. The vision is a world where every girl can freely decide if, when, and whom to marry, fully realizing her rights and potential. As of 2025, one in five girls married under 18 years old, and by 2030, the coalition aims to reduce this figure to one in seven through mobilizing global commitment and driving collective action in select focus countries.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Development Officer to join our dynamic team and contribute to fundraising activities including identifying new funding sources, preparing proposals, managing donor relationships, and supporting team operations. This varied role demands strong organizational abilities, communication skills, attention to detail, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, global context. This position offers excellent growth opportunities for an early-career professional interested in a comprehensive fundraising cycle experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage fundraising operations by tracking deadlines, maintaining accurate donor and prospect databases, and ensuring quality data and workflow management using tools like Excel and Monday.com.
• Develop and refine team tools, systems, and processes to enhance fundraising efficiency.
• Organize and support donor-focused events, including preparing briefing materials and coordinating logistics.
• Coordinate development team communications including newsletters and staff inductions.
• Research and monitor prospective donors aligned with organizational strategies and funding priorities, including analysis of funding trends in child marriage and gender equality sectors.
• Support qualification and prioritization of prospects and manage a detailed pipeline of fundraising opportunities.
• Conduct due diligence on potential funders and assist in exploring non-grant income sources, such as individual donations and partnerships.
• Maintain stewardship of a philanthropic donor portfolio, acting as a reliable point of contact.
• Assist with development and submission of funding proposals, reports, and renewals, coordinating technical, financial, and monitoring inputs.
• Ensure full compliance with contractual and policy requirements including branding, safeguarding, and reporting obligations.
• Contribute to donor communications and represent the organization in meetings and events to enhance relationships and positioning.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in fundraising, development, or partnerships within the nonprofit sector.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail and ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficient with CRM systems or fundraising databases and experienced in contributing to funding proposals and donor reports.
• Exceptional written communication abilities capable of distilling complex information for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills to collaborate across global teams and external partners.
• Analytical skills with aptitude for thorough research and interpretation of diverse information sources.
• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset exhibiting sound judgement and discretion.
• Adaptability to flexible working hours across various time zones.
• Commitment to the values and mission of Girls Not Brides.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience related to child marriage, girls' rights, or gender equality initiatives.
• Knowledge of charity fundraising trends and philanthropic landscapes.
• Background in international or global organizational environments.
• Familiarity with design tools such as Canva.

Additional Information

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, with occasional international travel required to attend events. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in Kenya for the full two-year fixed term. The salary is competitive and paid in local currency according to NGO market surveys. Occasional work outside regular hours may be expected for global team collaboration. Girls Not Brides is committed to safeguarding vulnerable populations and requires background checks on new hires. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Only one Development Officer position will be filled, which may be based in Kenya or India. The closing date for applications is September 24, 2026, at 17:00 BST; applications will be assessed on a rolling basis.