JOB DETAILS:
Job Purpose
The Programme Development Manager will be responsible for supporting a portfolio of Saferworld’s teams to design and mobilize funding for peace, security, and justice programmes. This role will focus on approximately four countries, determined by the candidate’s experience and preferences. The post-holder will lead programme development processes, including drafting high-quality proposals, budgets, and donor strategies, while engaging with institutional donors and maintaining relationships to grow funding portfolios.
The successful candidate will work closely with country managers, directors, and programme teams, contributing to the organization’s strategic goals and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

Key Responsibilities
Programme Design and Proposal Development
• Collaborate with country managers/directors to evaluate funding opportunities and make informed decisions on calls for proposals.
• Lead the development of programme concepts, proposals, and theories of change that align with Saferworld’s strategic plan.

• Draft and coordinate all proposal components, including narratives, budgets, risk matrices, and MEL frameworks.
• Ensure participatory approaches in proposal development, including involving partners in the design and budgeting process.

• Integrate gender and conflict analysis into all programme designs and proposals.
• Maintain a repository of programme concept notes and proposals for allocated countries.

• Provide guidance to country teams on institutional donor policies, ensuring applications align with donor priorities.

• Strengthen country teams’ capacity to identify funding opportunities and develop strong proposals.
• Support smooth handover of projects from proposal development to implementation.
• Diversify funding sources by identifying relevant trusts, foundations, commercial contracts, and other non-traditional donors.
Strategic Development
• Collaborate with country teams to develop and implement resource mobilization plans for country strategies.
• Maintain an updated portfolio of donors, tracking strategic and funding priorities.

• Act as a focal point for engagement with specific institutional donors, maintaining strategies for engagement.
• Cultivate donor relationships in collaboration with country managers and programme teams.

• Monitor and analyze country fundraising performance, including proposal success rates.
• Align country resource mobilization plans with global donor outreach strategies.
• Stay updated on donor policy developments and analyze their implications for Saferworld.
Cross-Organizational Representation
• Represent Saferworld at donor conferences, seminars, and events to build relationships and promote programmes.
• Engage with the broader NGO and fundraising community to share learning and leverage opportunities.
Internal Collaboration
• Work with the Funding Working Group to connect country plans with global outreach strategies.
• Collaborate with finance teams to develop effective programme budgets and ensure cost recovery.

• Support compliance with donor requirements during proposal development and implementation.

Key Working Relationships
• Country Managers/Directors: Collaborate on programme design and resource mobilization.

• Programme Support Team: Ensure alignment with organizational values in proposal development.
• Funding Working Group: Coordinate donor cultivation and ensure alignment with global outreach plans.
• Finance Team: Develop programme budgets and ensure effective cost recovery.

Scope and Accountability
• Decision-Making: Lead programme development processes and ensure the quality of written proposals.
• People Management: Provide technical supervision to staff, consultants, or interns as needed.
• Compliance: Ensure proposals adhere to internal and donor compliance standards.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential Knowledge and Experience
• Proven track record of designing and implementing international development programmes, particularly in conflict-affected contexts.
• Experience in writing successful funding proposals for donors like FCDO, USAID, EU, UN agencies, and Sida.
• Expertise in programme budgeting, theories of change, MEL frameworks, and risk management.
• Strong experience in building and maintaining relationships with institutional donors.
• Demonstrated ability to mainstream gender analysis and conflict sensitivity in programme design.
• Familiarity with the political, development, and humanitarian context in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Desirable Knowledge and Experience
• Experience working in countries such as Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, or Uganda.
• Experience mobilizing resources from trusts, foundations, and non-traditional funding sources.
• Knowledge of additional languages beyond English (e.g., French or regional languages).

Skills and Competencies
• Strong written and spoken English; proficiency in additional languages is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent participatory workshop facilitation skills.
• Ability to manage relationships across cultures and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Personal Qualities
• Self-motivated and resilient in handling complex challenges.
• Commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Personable and empathetic, fostering strong working relationships with global teams.
• Commitment to Saferworld’s vision, mission, and values, including safeguarding principles.

Other Requirements
• Willingness to travel to project sites, contingent on security assessments and funding availability.