RECRUITMENT OF GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIP MANAGER
Upright Partners is recruiting a Grants and Partnership Manager on behalf of Children Believe As part of its development, and to strengthen its team.
Job location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Work schedule: Full-time
Type of contract: Fixed-term contract under Burkina Faso law for one-year (with a trial period of three (03) months), renewable depending on performance).
Application Deadline: May 30, 2025
JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting directly to the Regional Director – West Africa, the Grants and Partnership Manager (GPM) plays a significant role in driving business development and expanding Children Believe’s funding base across Burkina Faso and the West Africa region. The GPM is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and securing grant opportunities, including multi-country and consortium-based formats, by leading the development of high-quality, strategic proposals that align with both donor priorities and organizational goals.
The GPM manages and strengthens relationships with key institutional donors and private sector partners, promotes compliance, fosters cross-functional collaboration, and contributes to inclusive and equitable grant practices. He/she will ensure strong internal capacity on resource mobilization, proposal development, and grant compliance.
- KEY RESPONSABILITIES
- Lead the identification and pursuit of new funding opportunities from bilateral, multilateral, foundation, and corporate donors;
- Develop and implement grant acquisition strategies aligned with organizational priorities;
- Lead the design and submission of quality concept notes, proposals, and budgets in collaboration with program and finance teams;
- Ensure that all proposals comply with donor requirements and reflect organizational values and strategic goals;
- Manage the grant lifecycle from application to close-out, including compliance and performance reporting;
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with donors, government agencies, international organizations, and local NGOs;
- Provide internal training and coaching on Results-Based Management (RBM) and donor engagement strategies;
- Ensure that all grant implementation complies with donor rules, local laws, and internal policies;
- Promote inclusive partnerships with grassroots and underrepresented organizations;
- Coordinate with Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Knowledge Sharing (MELKS) staff for accurate indicator tracking and reporting;
- Liaise with donors and authorities, and represent Children Believe at relevant forums and strategic discussions;
- Contribute to organizational learning and capacity-building in grants acquisition and partnership development.
- QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or related development field;
- At least 5 years of experience in the development sector, including a minimum of 2 years focused on education-related programs aligned with Children Believe’s strategy;
- At least 2 years of experience in a donor-facing or leadership role involving proposal writing and grant reporting;
- 3+ years of experience in grant acquisition with demonstrated success in securing major awards (>$2M);
- Strong knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM);
- Excellent project planning, budgeting, and reporting skills;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with online grant submission platforms;
- Fluency in English and French; knowledge of local languages is an asset;
- Willingness to travel nationally, regionally, and internationally as required.
- ATTRIBUTES, TRAITS, BEHAVIOURS:
- Strong moral character and integrity;
- Excellent analytical, drafting, and summarizing skills;
- Initiative and thoroughness in handling tasks;
- Ability to manage and work in a team and with different stakeholder groups;
- Capacity to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in diverse cultural settings;
- Demonstrates leadership, creativity, and accountability;
- Committed to Children Believe’s mission, values, and safeguarding standards.