As a member of our team, you will be responsible for fulfilling key duties that drive our organization’s success, collaborating closely with cross-functional departments to achieve shared objectives. You will oversee critical processes, ensuring adherence to established protocols and maintaining high standards of efficiency and accuracy. This position requires a proactive approach, strong problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, you will be expected to contribute to strategic initiatives, mentor junior staff, and uphold compliance with industry regulations and company policies. Ideal candidates will possess proven experience in a similar capacity, exceptional communication skills, and a commitment to delivering measurable results. Your insights and expertise will play a vital role in shaping our company’s growth and operational excellence.
The Senior Officer, Africa, Global Partnership Development is responsible for shaping and advancing the foundation’s strategy in African philanthropy, cultivating and maintaining high-value partnerships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (Unwise), family offices, corporations, and both private and institutional foundations across Africa and its diaspora. This position is designed for an experienced professional who possesses the vision, creativity, and established network to design and finalize large-scale, multifaceted partnerships with a diverse range of donors, while also fostering and leading relationships on behalf of the foundation with prominent philanthropists, their teams, family offices, and foundations. The goal is to secure co-funding, complementary funding, and cultivate influential advocates and champions both within the continent and among the African diaspora. The role demands a sophisticated understanding of how philanthropy, business, and civil society interact across Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside a proven track record in developing and implementing ambitious partnership strategies across various sectors and regions.
This position will operate at the nexus of the foundation’s philanthropic, programmatic, and advocacy objectives, tasked with cultivating and overseeing a dynamic pipeline of partnerships with African philanthropic organizations while advancing the foundation’s strategic agenda to amplify giving across the continent. The Senior Officer will collaborate closely with the institutional philanthropy lead to design and implement engagement strategies targeting foundations and corporate entities, serving as a pivotal liaison with senior foundation leadership—including engagements tied to the Giving Pledge.
This position operates under the supervision of the Director of the African Regional Office within Global Policy and Advocacy, with an additional indirect reporting line to the Deputy Director of the Global Partnership Development’s Philanthropic Partnerships Team. This role does not encompass any direct personnel management duties.
This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and requires eligibility to work in the country without visa sponsorship.
What You’ll Do
You will spearhead the foundation’s strategy for African philanthropy, advancing an initiative to engage ultra-high-net-worth individuals (Unwise) residing in or with origins from the continent in global health and development endeavors. This encompasses identifying, assessing, and nurturing potential partners; overseeing a dynamic portfolio of high-value relationships; and advancing toward substantial annual portfolio commitments aligned with the foundation’s Global Health & Development objectives.
You will leverage extensive expertise in structuring deals and partnerships across Africa’s varied philanthropic, corporate, and civic sectors to craft strategies that balance local relevance with global coherence. Collaborating with PPT, program teams, and the Africa Regional Office and Country Offices, you will formulate persuasive cases for support and design flexible partnership frameworks that may include philanthropic contributions, co-investment, blended finance, and alternative capital solutions.
This position demands the ability to establish and oversee intricate collaborations involving diverse partners, program domains, and geographic regions, necessitating exceptional organizational, negotiation, and strategic deal-making skills. Your responsibilities will include pinpointing opportunities to align multiple partners around common objectives, crafting partnership frameworks for multifaceted multi-stakeholder initiatives, and embedding African viewpoints into global philanthropic strategies. Depending on the portfolio’s structure and the intricacy of agreements, you will assume a primary, supportive, or advisory function in key partnerships.
Institutional philanthropy initiatives require effective engagement and coordination across diverse sectors to foster collaborative partnerships and maximize impact. This role focuses on building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders from various sectors, ensuring alignment of goals and resources to advance shared philanthropic objectives. Responsibilities include facilitating cross-sector dialogue, identifying opportunities for joint funding initiatives, and developing strategic frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of institutional giving.
You will serve as the foundation’s ambassador across African philanthropic networks, sector forums, and peer communities. Duties may entail engaging with key stakeholders, participating in collaborative initiatives, and fostering strategic partnerships to advance shared objectives.
Forge meaningful connections with and inspire leaders across Africa’s business, civil society, and philanthropic sectors.
Collaborating with communications and advocacy teams, you will develop culturally relevant narratives designed to inspire philanthropic engagement across diverse African contexts.
Identifying and cultivating influential donors who can serve as spokespeople, strategic thought partners, and advocates for Global Health & Development (GH&D) across the continent and among the African diaspora.
In collaboration with the foundation’s institutional philanthropy lead, you will develop and implement strategies for engaging African foundations and corporate foundations.
Foundation Leadership and Giving Pledge Engagement encompasses strategic oversight of philanthropic initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational missions and donor objectives. This role demands expertise in cultivating high-net-worth relationships, securing major gifts, and fostering long-term partnerships with foundations and institutional donors. Responsibilities include managing grant applications, monitoring compliance with funding agreements, and reporting impact to stakeholders. Candidates must possess a proven track record in foundation relations, exceptional communication skills, and a deep understanding of nonprofit governance. Proficiency in data analysis to assess giving patterns and optimize fundraising strategies is essential, along with the ability to lead cross-functional teams in executing impactful philanthropic programs.
As a strategic advisor to foundation leadership, you will cultivate and manage relationships with prominent African philanthropists and partners, ensuring that high-level engagements are meticulously planned, purposefully executed, and thoroughly followed up on. Your responsibilities will include delivering insightful briefings, developing strategic relationship plans, and coordinating follow-up actions to enhance the effectiveness of leadership interactions and drive meaningful impact.
You will take a proactive approach to cultivating and expanding relationships tied to the Giving Pledge, with a focus on identifying potential new signatories from Africa and maintaining strong engagement with current African signatories in accordance with PPT’s overarching Giving Pledge strategy.
We are seeking a seasoned professional to oversee internal alignment initiatives and portfolio management strategies. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring cohesive direction across departments, optimizing resource allocation, and maintaining strategic coherence. Key duties include evaluating project portfolios, prioritizing initiatives based on organizational goals, and fostering collaboration between teams. Additionally, the role entails developing frameworks to monitor performance, aligning investments with long-term objectives, and driving continuous improvement in portfolio execution.
As a pivotal internal relationship manager, you will collaborate with PPT, the Global Partnership Development team, the Africa Regional Office, program strategy teams, and the Global Policy & Advocacy division to align partner engagement efforts across teams, ensuring timeliness, strategic alignment, and responsiveness to both donor interests and foundation priorities. In this role, you will work in close partnership with Africa country offices—specifically in Nigeria and Ethiopia—and maintain strong coordination with regional leads across Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa.
This role involves playing a key part in designing innovative philanthropic offerings, engaging in strategic content and cultivation initiatives for events such as Goalkeepers, Proponent Labs, and other Africa-focused gatherings, as well as partnering with PPT’s Shared Services team to enhance communications, audience engagement, and data-driven insights capabilities.
You will oversee meticulous portfolio and pipeline tracking via Salesforce, encompassing forecasting, performance reporting, and ongoing updates to partner intelligence.
Your Experience
A relevant field-related bachelor’s degree or higher, or commensurate practical experience, is required.
With a minimum of seven years of expertise in partnership development, major gifts fundraising, business development, resource mobilization, investment, or strategic relationship management, you must have a proven history of securing substantial financial commitments or finalizing high-value partnerships.
We value candidates with extensive expertise in African philanthropy, business, and civil society, alongside a strong grasp of partnership and deal structuring across Sub-Saharan Africa. Ideal applicants may hail from diverse fields such as business, finance, investment, international development, or NGOs—prioritizing the depth of their African market insight, relationship networks, and proven achievements in business development or resource mobilization.
Proven success in cultivating and overseeing relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional partners, evidenced by a strong history of securing substantial, multi-year commitments.
Seasoned in cultivating and overseeing intricate collaborations spanning diverse partners, multifaceted issue domains, and varied global regions.
A solid understanding of global health and development priorities, coupled with an awareness of their alignment with African development agendas, is essential. While specialized expertise in global health and development (GH&D) is not mandatory, intellectual curiosity, rapid learning capabilities, and a sincere dedication to the mission hold greater significance.
Proven capability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional internal teams to accomplish collective objectives.
Proficient in a range of technical and interpersonal proficiencies, candidates should demonstrate expertise in [list key skills, e.g., project management, data analysis, or customer service]. Familiarity with [specific tools, software, or methodologies] is highly advantageous, along with the ability to adapt to evolving industry standards. Strong problem-solving capabilities, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous professional development are essential. Candidates must exhibit effective communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Proficiency in [relevant industry-specific skills] is required to fulfill the role’s demands successfully.
Dynamic and results-driven professional with a strong track record in fostering meaningful connections and cultivating trust across diverse stakeholder groups—spanning senior leadership, executives, and operational teams—to achieve targeted objectives.
Strategic thinker who demonstrates deep insight into philanthropic trends across Africa, donor motivations, and the expansive framework of giving throughout the continent.
Proven expertise in designing and structuring deals, along with cultivating strategic partnerships, with a focus on blended finance, co-investment models, and the integration of non-traditional philanthropic capital.
Skilled in converting intricate global issues into engaging stories that captivate and connect with varied African demographics.
Demonstrates a robust ability to cultivate influence, champion causes, and empower individuals to become strong advocates.
Demonstrates outstanding proficiency in both verbal and written English communication, with a proven ability to effectively engage and persuade high-net-worth individuals and key senior-level decision-makers.
Proficient in collaborating across varied cultural settings spanning Sub-Saharan Africa and global regions, demonstrating a profound appreciation for local customs, power structures, and established relationship etiquettes.
Skilled in evaluating the effectiveness and achievements of partnerships, utilizing a data-driven methodology to inform decisions and strategies.
Preferred Attributes
Established professional relationships within African philanthropic, business, and civil society sectors—especially with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporate and institutional foundations—are essential.
Fluency in one or more African languages, or other languages prevalent in key markets, is required.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with top-tier executives, key decision-makers, and corporate governance bodies.
Acquaintance with or prior experience in the Giving Pledge or similar philanthropic networks is essential.
Seeking professionals with a demonstrated background in blended finance, impact investing, or the cultivation of cross-sector partnerships.
Skilled professionals with extensive expertise in mobilizing resources for Global Health and Development (GH&D), gender equality, or other pertinent development initiatives.
Capable of traveling up to 40% of the time, including throughout regions within Sub-Saharan Africa.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
