We are seeking a highly motivated professional to fill this pivotal role, where you will be responsible for a diverse range of critical tasks and initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in [specific field/industry], along with a proven ability to [key skill or responsibility]. Essential qualifications include [specific degree or certification], complemented by [X years] of relevant experience in [relevant area]. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to [specific responsibility or goal], ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Additionally, you will be tasked with [specific duty or project], demonstrating expertise in [relevant skill]. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills are required to thrive in this dynamic environment.
The Senior Officer, Africa, Global Partnership Development is responsible for shaping and advancing the foundation’s strategy in African philanthropy, cultivating and nurturing high-value partnerships with Africa-based and Africa-originating ultra-high-net-worth individuals (Unwise), family offices, corporations, and private and institutional foundations to advance critical health and development initiatives across the continent. This senior-level position demands a dynamic professional with the foresight, innovation, and relationship-building expertise to design and finalize substantial, multifaceted partnerships across diverse donor segments—and to establish and lead meaningful engagements with leading philanthropists, their teams, family offices, and foundations, securing co-funding, complementary investments, and fostering dedicated champions and advocates both within Africa and among the African diaspora. The role necessitates a sophisticated understanding of the intersections between philanthropy, business, and civil society throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, along with a demonstrated track record of crafting and implementing bold partnership strategies spanning multiple sectors and regions.
This position will operate at the convergence of the foundation’s philanthropic, programmatic, and advocacy objectives, focusing on cultivating and overseeing a dynamic pipeline of African philanthropic collaborations while advancing the organization’s strategic vision to expand charitable 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 foundation leadership, including in relation to the Giving Pledge.
This position operates under the supervision of the Director of the African Regional Office within Global Policy and Advocacy, maintaining a secondary reporting line to the Deputy Director of Global Partnership Development on the Philanthropic Partnerships Team. The role is not responsible for overseeing or managing a team.
This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya. Candidates must possess the legal right to work in Kenya without requiring visa sponsorship.
What You’ll Do
You will spearhead the foundation’s strategy for African philanthropy, expanding initiatives to engage ultra-high-net-worth individuals (Unwise) from the continent in global health and development efforts. Your responsibilities will include identifying, assessing, and nurturing potential partners; overseeing a dynamic portfolio of high-value relationships; and advancing substantial annual commitments that align with the foundation’s global health and development objectives.
You will leverage extensive knowledge of deal and partnership structuring across Africa’s varied philanthropic, corporate, and civic sectors to craft strategies that are locally relevant yet globally coherent. In collaboration with PPT, program teams, and the Africa Regional Office and Country Offices, you will craft persuasive cases for support and design innovative partnership models—encompassing philanthropic contributions, co-investment, blended finance, and alternative capital sources.
This role demands the development and oversight of intricate partnerships that cross diverse collaborators, program domains, and regions—entailing expert coordination, negotiation, and strategic deal formulation. Your responsibilities will include recognizing opportunities to unite multiple partners around mutual objectives, crafting partnership frameworks for multifaceted multi-stakeholder initiatives, and embedding African viewpoints into global philanthropic strategies. Depending on the portfolio’s makeup and the complexity of agreements, you will take a leading, supporting, or advisory position in designated partnerships.
Engage collaboratively across diverse sectors to foster alignment and synergy in institutional philanthropic initiatives, ensuring cohesive coordination and strategic partnerships.
You will serve as the foundation’s ambassador within African philanthropic networks, sector forums, and peer communities. Your role may encompass engagements such as:
Cultivating strong connections and driving engagement with key decision-makers across African business, civil society, and philanthropic sectors.
Collaborating closely with communications and advocacy teams, the role involves developing culturally relevant narratives designed to inspire philanthropic support across diverse African regions.
The role focuses on cultivating and engaging influential supporters to serve as ambassadors, strategic collaborators, and vocal advocates for GH&D across the continent and within the African diaspora community.
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 involves leading strategic initiatives to foster philanthropic partnerships, aligning fundraising efforts with organizational goals, and cultivating high-net-worth donors. The role requires a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in nonprofit leadership, with a proven track record in major gift cultivation and solicitation. Responsibilities include developing and implementing giving strategies, overseeing pledge fulfillment, and engaging donors through personalized outreach and impact reporting. Strong interpersonal skills, exceptional communication abilities, and a deep understanding of donor motivations are essential. The position demands proficiency in donor management systems and a commitment to ethical fundraising practices.
As a strategic advisor to foundation leadership, you will cultivate and sustain meaningful relationships with prominent African philanthropists and partners, guaranteeing that executive engagements are meticulously planned, strategically aligned, and thoroughly executed. You will deliver comprehensive briefings, develop tailored relationship strategies, and oversee coordinated follow-up efforts to amplify the effectiveness of leadership interactions.
You will contribute to the expansion and nurturing of relationships tied to the Giving Pledge, with a focus on identifying new signatories from Africa and fostering continued engagement with current African signatories, all in accordance with PPT’s strategic framework for the Giving Pledge.
We are responsible for ensuring internal alignment and managing our portfolio efficiently. This role involves coordinating across departments to maintain consistency and drive strategic initiatives. Key responsibilities include overseeing project prioritization, resource allocation, and performance tracking to optimize portfolio outcomes. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, experience in portfolio management, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
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, ensuring they are timely, cohesive, and responsive to both donor interests and foundation priorities. This position involves close coordination with Africa country offices—especially Nigeria and Ethiopia—and works in tandem with regional leads across Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa.
This role involves shaping new philanthropic products, engaging in strategic content and cultivation initiatives for events such as Goalkeepers, Proponent Labs, and other Africa-focused convening, while partnering with PPT’s Shared Services team to enhance communications, audience engagement, and data-driven insights capabilities.
You will ensure meticulous tracking of portfolios and pipelines within Salesforce, encompassing forecasting, performance reporting, and the timely updating of partner intelligence.
Your Experience
A relevant bachelor’s degree or higher, or commensurate professional experience, is required.
With a minimum of seven years of expertise in areas such as complex partnership development, major gifts fundraising, business development, resource mobilization, investment, or strategic relationship management, the ideal candidate will possess a proven history of securing substantial financial commitments or finalizing high-value partnerships.
Experts with extensive familiarity in African philanthropy, business, and civil society, along with a strong grasp of partnership and deal structuring across Sub-Saharan Africa, are sought. Ideal candidates will come from diverse fields such as business, finance, investment, international development, or NGOs—though the critical factors remain the depth of their African market expertise, their established network of relationships, and their proven success in business development or resource mobilization.
Proven expertise in cultivating and overseeing relationships with ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional partners, coupled with a strong history of securing substantial, multi-year commitments.
With a proven track record in cultivating and overseeing intricate collaborations involving diverse stakeholders, geographical regions, and thematic domains.
A solid understanding of global health and development priorities, particularly how they align with African development agendas, is essential. While specialized expertise in global health and development is not mandatory, intellectual curiosity, rapid learning capabilities, and a sincere dedication to the mission are critical.
Able to effectively collaborate with various internal teams to accomplish collective objectives.
Proficient in a variety of technical and interpersonal skills, with a strong ability to analyze complex problems and devise effective solutions. Demonstrates expertise in [specific software/tools], [industry-specific knowledge], and [relevant methodologies]. Exhibits exceptional communication and teamwork capabilities, ensuring seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams. Maintains a keen attention to detail and adheres to strict quality standards. Possesses advanced organizational abilities to manage multiple priorities efficiently while meeting deadlines. Exhibits a proactive approach to professional development and continuous learning.
Skilled at fostering meaningful connections, this professional excels in establishing trust and cultivating relationships across diverse organizational levels—from top-tier leadership to operational staff—to achieve well-defined goals.
Adept at analyzing African philanthropy trends, donor motivations, and the overarching giving landscape across the continent, with a strong strategic mindset.
Proven expertise in crafting transactions and designing strategic partnerships, with a strong grasp of blended finance models, co-investment frameworks, and innovative philanthropic funding mechanisms.
Proven ability to distill intricate global issues into engaging stories tailored to diverse African audiences.
Skilled in cultivating influence, championing advocacy efforts, and nurturing individuals to become impactful advocates.
Demonstrates outstanding proficiency in both verbal and written English communication, with a proven capacity to effectively engage and persuade high-net-worth individuals as well as key senior decision-makers.
Proficient in collaborating effectively within diverse cultural settings across Sub-Saharan Africa and globally, demonstrating a profound appreciation for local customs, power structures, and established relationship conventions.
Skilled in evaluating the effectiveness and outcomes of partnerships, employing a data-driven approach to measure performance and drive informed decision-making.
Preferred Attributes
With an established presence in African philanthropic, business, and civil society networks—especially among ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and corporate and institutional foundations—you will bring valuable connections and relationships to the role.
Demonstrated fluency in at least one African language, or another language prevalent in significant markets, is required.
Proven track record collaborating with executive leadership teams, key decision-makers, and board of directors to drive strategic initiatives and align organizational goals.
Familiarity with or prior participation in the Giving Pledge or similar philanthropic initiatives is preferred.
Candidates should possess a proven track record in blended finance initiatives, impact investing strategies, or the cultivation of cross-sector partnerships.
Proven expertise in mobilizing resources for gender, Human Development (GH&D), and related development initiatives, with a strong focus on advancing gender equality.
Capable of traveling up to 40% of the time, with regional coverage extending across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
