Job Context 

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by war, conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks and epidemics or healthcare exclusion. The organisation now works in more than 70 countries around the world, with significant projects across East African countries including in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office for MSF. The office focusses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI), mutualization, trainings, medical operational support and environmental health.

You can learn more about MSF EA on our website or via our digital channels – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

From 2018, MSF has been investing in a communications and fundraising department based in Nairobi. The aim of the department is to progressively raise the profile of MSF in the region, to support communications and dissemination for crises within East Africa and to develop fundraising from the region.

MSF EA is seeking an energetic and highly motivated individual to join the Communications and Fundraising team as MSF EA’s Head of Fundraising.

Main objectives of the role

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Fundraising (DCF), the individual in this position will be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive fundraising programme at MSF EA and will be pivotal in inspiring current donors, prospects, and supporters to contribute funds to the organisation. They will have a proven track record of securing private revenue for nonprofits and will bring the vision, experience, curiosity, creativity, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm to build a fundraising team and a dedicated base of loyal and committed supporters.  They will be an individual who is deeply motivated by the goal of MSF to deliver medical care to those most in need across the world and will be guided by MSF fundraising principles.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Strategic Planning: implements and monitors a comprehensive fundraising plan to develop and grow philanthropic support from a variety of sources including individuals, corporations, and family foundations and trusts.

Donor Engagement Strategies: Cultivates and strengthens existing donor relationships and actively pursues prospects by using multiple cultivation techniques including one-on-one meetings, events, and other fundraising touchpoints. Identifies and develops relationships with corporate entities that adhere to the parameters of the MSF EA corporate gift acceptance policy. Creates a donor pipeline and a donor journey cycle for mid and high-capacity supporters. Identifies donors and prospects for cultivation and stewardship by the General Director and other senior level leaders at MSF EA. Collaborates with the DCF in identifying and selecting members of a fundraising advisory group which will serve as a networking vehicle for high level donor giving.

Prospecting: Researches, maintains, and develops a regional and local portfolio of individuals, foundations, and corporate prospects who have capacity and inclination for supporting MSF EA.

Donor Communications: Ensures consistency of messaging in all fundraising communications. Leads in preparing fundraising content and materials to ensure that the information is accurate and reflects MSF’s values and principles and that all communications with donors reflect the unique and independent voice of MSF, with final oversight going to the DCF

Fundraising Revenue: Forecasts revenue and collaborates with DCF to project expense and revenue targets for the annual MSF EA budget. 

Systems and Processes: Creates and implements KPIs and best practices for donor cultivation and stewardship.  Develops and/or identifies systems for donor tracking and gift processing.

Team Management: Manages the engagement officer and collaborates with them in stewarding donors and in organizing events that will raise the visibility of and financial support to MSF EA.

Represents MSF EA: Develops strategic relationships within the regional fundraising and business communities to increase visibility of MSF EA and to foster financial support and networking potential.  Participates in MSF EA international working groups and initiatives and develops working relationships with counterparts in specific MSF entities to advance global fundraising goals.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications & competencies required 

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university.
• 3-5 years of progressive fundraising or sales management experience with a focus on donor/client development.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate in person and in writing to people from various backgrounds and experiences.
• Excellent written and spoken command of the English language.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence in current donors and supporters.
• Initiative and a high degree of autonomy is expected combined with the ability to work well as part of a team.
• Analytical skills and experience in creating and tracking budgets.
• High level of discretion and an ethical approach to fundraising.
• A commitment to MSF’s mission and value.

Desirable experience

•  5+ year in fundraising with experience in creating and implementing a fundraising program.
• 3+ year experience in cultivating and soliciting mid-level and high-level donors.
• Knowledge of the local fundraising environment.
• Knowledge of CRM systems.
• Experience with international relief and development and/or humanitarian organizations desired.