MSF Eastern Africa is looking for a Donor Relationship Manager

Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? MSF is an organization committed to promoting diversity and equity by providing equal access to professional opportunities. We understand that women, people of color, indigenous individuals, members of the LGTB+ community, and other underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all the requirements. At MSF EA, we strive to create a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. Therefore, if you’re interested in this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.

Introduction

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

About MSF Eastern Africa

MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Data Protection, mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.

Rationale/Objective for Position

The Donor Relationship Manager is responsible for securing significant financial donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Also supporting in implementing the fundraising strategy. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to advance MSF ‘s mission and programs.

This position will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the Head of Fundraising.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Donor Identification and Cultivation:

• Responsible for developing, planning, implementing and evaluating set goals in relation to the donor acquisition strategy, with the right mix of acquisition methods, and target groups.
• Research and identify potential major donors, Mid-level donors, Individual donor, corporate partners, and foundations aligned with MSF’s principles.
• Oversee the donor journey from acquisition to retention phase, and identify and coordinate activities that optimize donor recruitment, payment, and overall online and offline donor experience.
• Develop personalised engagement plans to cultivate relationships with prospective donors.
• Develop the annual acquisition plan and budget for approval in conjunction with broader Fundraising plans and budgets.

Solicitation and Stewardship:

• Prepare and present compelling proposals to secure donations.
• Maintain ongoing communication with donors, providing updates on the impact of their contributions.

Strategic Planning:

• Collaborate with the fundraising team to set and achieve fundraising goals.
• Plan and execute donor events to enhance engagement and recognition.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Work closely with the Head of Fundraising and other team members to integrate donations/gifts strategies into overall fundraising plans.
• Coordinate with programme staff to gather information and develop proposals that accurately reflect MSF’s work and impact.

Budget Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:

• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and transactions using the organisation’s CRM system.
• Generate regular reports to evaluate the effectiveness of donations strategies and progress toward fundraising goals.
• Support budget planning, monitoring and reporting on fundraising activities to achieve sustainable return on investment.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through income modelling and thorough testing, in collaboration with the Head of Fundraising.
• Conduct regular analysis and generate reports on engagement metrics, ensuring that all activities and campaigns align with and achieve established targets.
• Perform monthly and quarterly reforecasts, updating reforecasting and budget models as necessary.

Teamwork and Cooperation;

• Collaborate closely with the communications and fundraising teams and support a unified approach to fundraising and communication initiatives, maximising overall impact for all donors.

Organisation and Compliance;

• Ensure good governance of MSF EA digital engagement programs through compliance with MSF policies, and contractual obligations.
• Comply with data protection policy/ guidelines and procedures as required.

Networking and Relationship Building;

• Network and build relationships with the teams in MSF Eastern Africa, other MSF offices, and industry professionals, to enhance fundraising engagement efforts.
• Foster strong relationships with relevant organisations/bodies to ensure successful collaboration execution of fundraising events.
• Engage with online communities and influencers to amplify MSF EA’s presence and reach new audiences working in close collaboration with the comms digital team.
• Identify and evaluate new fundraising opportunities through testing new ideas and agencies, creative thinking, keeping abreast of new developments in fundraising and the broader marketing environment.
• Maintain contact with professional bodies and other charities, other MSF offices to identify and evaluate new fundraising opportunities.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Communications Public Relations.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of experience in fundraising or a Diploma and eight years of experience in fundraising.
• Experience in engaging with corporate and foundation partners is highly desirable with a proven track record of securing donations.
• Demonstrated fundraising skills, creativity, analysis and experience, including the ability to identify opportunities and implement innovative solutions.
• Good understanding of the local fundraising market landscape.

Competencies

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Strong strategic planning abilities.
• Proficiency in fundraising software and CRM systems.
• High emotional intelligence and a donor-centric approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrated passion for MSF’s mission and humanitarian principles.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic fundraising environment
• Demonstrated ability to listen actively and understand donor motivations.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising practices and respect for donor confidentiality.

What We Offer:

• An Open-Ended full-time employment contract through MSF East Africa Section Office in Nairobi, Kenya.
• An annual salary of EUR 31,216 at HQ Level 9 based on a full-time appointment.
• Global benefit package; includes school fee benefit/support for dependents and other allowances ranging between EUR 620 to 1,159/month based on individual & administrative status.
• Other benefits include; 25 days of annual leave, Employer Pension contribution, Medical Insurance cover (staff and family), Relocation support for non-Kenyan residents etc based on MSF EA terms/conditions.

How to Apply:

• If you recognize yourself in this profile, we welcome you to apply directly via this link or from the MSF EA website, ReliefWeb, or LinkedIn.
• Applicants are required to upload a Letter of Motivation + Curriculum Vitae (in English) in PDF format as one combined document.
• The closing date for applications is 25th April 2025.

Information

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. MSF will not use your personal data in any other way not foreseen for purposes of recruitment.

MSF is an equal-opportunity employer and does not charge any application/ recruitment fee. Women and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.