RECRUITMENT OF ACTIONAID RWANDA (AAR) FUNDRAISING LEAD

Position: Fundraising Lead

Reporting To: Executive Director

Grade: C

Background:

ActionAid Rwanda (AAR) is a local non-Governmental organization and an Affiliate Member of ActionAid Global Federation, an Anti-Poverty Agency working with the poor. AAR has had its operations in Rwanda since 1982, due to effects of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi, AAR resumed its operations in 1997 as a full Country Program and has contributed towards eradication of Poverty and Injustice with a focus on tackling their root causes. AAR has a very strong commitment to supporting and empowering women and children as well as Promoting their Rights through Campaigns, Sensitizations and Advocacy.

AAR’s vision is a Country without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys their right to life of dignity and mission is work with people living in poverty with focus on women and girls to eradicate poverty and injustice.

Position overview

The Fundraising Lead is responsible for leading in the implementation of the Country Programme’s fundraising strategy through effective partnership fundraising and coordination of sponsorship work in the country Programme.

Specific roles include

1. Development and implementation of AAR resource mobilization policies, strategies and tools

Lead the development and implementation of the Country Programme resource mobilization/fundraising strategy
Develop systems and structures for effective implementation of resource mobilisation and fundraising
Review and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the resource mobilization strategy
Ensure availability of adequate resources to meet organizational commitments and funding needs
Review and customize AAR fundraising and sponsorship policies, and tools to support effective utilisation and implementation at the country level
Provide advice to management on fundraising
Research and develop fundraising products to be marketed in Rwanda
Link up with various units to promote AAR’s work to attract donors and support within and outside Rwanda
2. Implementing donor intelligence mechanisms and influencing development aid architecture

Develop and maintain an up-to-date donor intelligence system that provides information on donor funding and the link to Actionaid International Rwanda’s work and CSP
Conduct annual donor scoping to inform donor focus and identify opportunities available to ActionAid International Rwanda and partners
Support partners to identify potential donors to support their work
Provide periodic information on the existence of funding available for AAR and partners
Identify and lead on opportunities for consortium funding
Identify new donors and or donor policy campaign targets
Participate in development discourse to influence development aid agenda to improve the level and quality of development cooperation
3. Donor relationship management

Identify and maintain positive relations with existing donors
Invite and ensure that donors are involved in AAR programmes
Maintain an open communication channel with donors
Identify and establish contact with new / potential donors
4. Proposal development, verification and submission

Design innovative quality projects/proposals with key stakeholders and beneficiaries
Lead in the coordination for proposal development
Review proposals for compliance with funding guidelines and protocols and recommend for submission
Provide guidance in the development of proposals in line with different donor funding protocols
5. Donor MOU/ Contract management at corporate level

Lead on ensuring that all donor conditionality on all AAR projects are adhered to on time and to the highest quality
Initiate the development of donor contracts as soon as proposals for funding are approved
Negotiate contracts ensuring organizational interests are secured
Provide appropriate communication and education on donor contract terms and conditions to all parties involved in the implementation and execution of donor projects
Periodically review progress of donor project implementation and advise management on appropriate actions needed to ensure donor satisfaction
Share best practices, experiences, materials and tools with AAR staff and partners.
6. Sponsorship mobilization, monitoring and reporting

Ensure effective and efficient delivery of child sponsorship in AAR – by ensuring high quality and timely child messages, photo updates, progress reports etc. are provided to the supporters
Develop the necessary accountability framework and tools for use by relevant stakeholders
Solicit and share learning on sponsorship performance in liaison with sponsorship fundraising practitioners from other CPs, learn and implement from their excellent and innovative sponsorship performances
Lead in building the capacity of community sponsorship teams
7. Management of partnership funding and sponsorship function

Build staff capacity to support provision of information for donor intelligence, proposal development, contracts management and development aid policy influencing
Develop and implement the annual PF&S plans and budgets
Account for and report on resource utilization in the function
8. PF&S reporting and knowledge management

Define key sponsorship and fundraising information requirements of stakeholders and develop mechanisms for periodic provision of this information
Contribute to knowledge sharing and learning forums, document and share feedback with AAR and partners
Track and make improvements in the use of PF&S related knowledge in AAR and amongst its partners
Track trends in contemporary PF&S practices, document and provide advice/recommendations on key developments to AAR Management
9. Human Resource Management

Support the recruitment and induction of programme staff as guided by ED and Head of HROE
Set annual targets/Objectives for each staff of the Unit in consultation with the staff and conduct Quarterly/Annual Performance Appraisals Maintain ongoing monitoring of the performance of staff against targets and take corrective steps if targets are not being
Providing Career Growth and Development support through Coaching and Mentoring.
Handlings fundraising staff issues appropriately in consultation with Head of HROE and ED.
Ensure a spirit of team work and Team Building, change Management and Motivation initiatives to ensure strong fundraising team.
Ensure Programmes weekly and regular planned meetings take place and reports shared.
10. Communication Strategy and Campaign Management

Develops the Communications Strategy, and monitor its implementation in line with local and international priorities
Nurtures and builds relationships with media and publicize organizational events and publications
Employs innovative approaches to promote the work and impact of ActionAid work to the public within and outside the country through media and other available opportunities
Works together with programme and policy staff to identify change stories for documentation and sharing as well as support staff with effective communications and media strategies to help achieve objectives
Initiates, supports and drives campaigns in the most realistic and practical ways to deliver high impact
Works with the IT Coordinator to establish the country programme’s website and showcase AAR’s work have life on the website.
Leads/Coordinates visits by supporters, potential donors, Immersions, national and international media to project sites and ensuring that information is availed in the most suitable manner.
Enhances Designing, Branding and Documentation of AAR Profiles, Brochures, and Reports, fundraising and learning materials across the organisation.
Liaises with IT Coordinator to update the organization website in line with AAI on line policy and strategy.
Qualification & Skills Required:

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, International Development, Development studies, Social Sciences, Mass Communication, Marketing or related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
5-10 years working experience in donor funded projects and development organization particularly in the field of fundraising and/or Resource Mobilisation
Excellent ability on writing proposals/reports, verbal and written communication in English. Knowledge of budgeting, planning and keeping track of expending
Gender sensitive and responsive
Excellent interpersonal skills, facilitation, communication, negotiation, networking and knowledge in working partnership
Have a good understanding of ActionAid’s vision, mission, values, policy positions AAR project implementation strategies and plans, transparency and accountability mechanisms, the context in Rwanda and the rules and regulations of the government.
How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply here not later than Thursday, 22nd January 2026 at 5:00 pm.Indicate in the subject line: Fundraising Lead. Applicants are requested to state their net salary expectation in the cover letter.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ActionAid is an equal opportunity employer, and candidates will be expected to embody ActionAid’s values and adhere to organization policies including the Safeguarding Policy and the Child Protection Policy, among other ActionAid policies.