Transform Lives with Children Believe!

Join us to help break the barriers to education that steal children’s choices one by one until they have none. Together, we can foster an environment where education unlocks a world of choices, nurturing creativity, resilience, and hope for a better tomorrow. At Children Believe, we won’t stop until every child can dream fearlessly and grow up to live the life they choose to live.

Children Believe is currently recruiting for the following position:

Grants and Partnership Manager - Burkina Faso

The Grants and Partnership Manager (GPM) is responsible for driving the organization's grants acquisition, management, and business development efforts in Burkina Faso and in the region. The role is pivotal in expanding Children Believe's funding base, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and fostering partnerships with donors, government agencies, NGOs, and other key stakeholders to advance the organization’s strategic goals and develop strategies for long-term sustainability of projects beyond initial grant-funding, ensuring continuous impact.

The incumbent will lead the process to identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including multi-country and consortium partnerships. Developing and managing strategic relationships with donors such as UNICEF, UNOCHA, UNHCR, GAC, EU, MCF, USAID, DFID, and private corporations will be crucial requirements. The GPM will be responsible for overseeing the development of high-quality project proposals and ensuring alignment with donor expectations. S/He will provide strategic leadership on resource mobilization, including risk management and diversification of the funding portfolio. S/he will be responsible for training and supporting country teams in proposal development using frameworks like Sustainable Livelihoods and Logical Framework. S/he will promote a learning culture within an organization, ensuring best practices in grants and partnership management are shared and adopted across teams.

The GPM will report directly to the Regional Director - West Africa, offering strategic input on building partnerships and driving revenue generation through innovative resource mobilization strategies.

This role includes, but not limited to:

Grants Acquisition and Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive grants acquisition strategy that aligns with the CB’s objectives.
• Identify, research, and pursue new funding opportunities from bilateral, multilateral, foundation, and corporate donors.
• Lead the proposal development process by working with program and finance teams to create high-quality concept notes, proposals, and budgets.
• Ensure that all grant proposals meet the donor’s requirements and align with the organization’s mission.
• Oversee the grants management process, ensuring timely reporting, compliance with donor guidelines, and achievement of project objectives.
• Manage the grant lifecycle from submission to close-out, including budget monitoring, donor communications, and performance reporting.

Partnership Development and Management

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including donors, government agencies, international organizations, and local NGOs.
• Cultivate relationships with new donors and partners, while maintaining strong relationships with existing funders.
• Act as the primary point of contact for donor and partner communications.
• Advocate for the organization’s priorities in external forums, ensuring the NGO is seen as a credible and effective partner.
• Negotiate partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), and other formal agreements.

Capacity Building and Support

• Provide training and support to program and finance teams on donor requirements, proposal development, and reporting standards.
• Build the capacity of local partners in grant acquisition and compliance.
• Mentor and train staff on effective grant management practices, ensuring a culture of accountability and compliance.
• Compliance and Risk Management
• Ensure compliance with all donor regulations, local laws, and organizational policies throughout the grant management process.
• Conduct regular grant audits and compliance checks, identifying and mitigating risks.
• Oversee the development of risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful grant implementation and avoid potential liabilities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Work with the M&E team to ensure proper tracking of grant performance and results.
• Develop reports and presentations for internal stakeholders and donors, highlighting the impact of programs and partnerships.
• Coordinate with program teams to ensure the timely collection of data required for donor reporting and proposal submissions.

Liasioning & Special Tasks

• In coordination with the RDWA & DGP, liaise with government authorities, donors, NGOs, and other operational partners, including attendance at scheduled and ad hoc meetings, and represent Children Believe and Children Believe’s interests by maintaining positive, constructive relations, and to raise the profile of the organization.
• Supervise and complete special projects, as assigned, by the supervisors.
• Lead new grant opportunities that occur in the areas of Resource Procurement and/or Disaster Risk Reduction and/or Emergency Response in coordination with RDWA and Canada office counterpart.
• Develops targeted messaging, e.g. corporate capabilities statement and fact sheets.
• Prepare Terms of Reference for consultants, and coordinate their work in project development-related assignments.
• Ensure Safeguarding protocols are adhered at all levels and all times.
• Other related duties as assigned by the supervisors.

The ideal candidate possesses:

Qualifications & Experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a relevant development field. An MBA or other relevant post-graduate degree is a plus.
• At least 5 years of experience in the development sector, with a minimum of 2 years focused on education-related priorities aligned with Children Believe’s current strategy.
• Minimum 2 years in a leadership role, including building relationships with development and funding agencies, and writing successful concept papers, grant proposals, and donor reports.
• 3+ years of experience in grants acquisition within an international development organization, with proven success in securing grants from governments, foundations, and corporations, and meeting targets.
• Demonstrated track record of winning major grant awards (> $2M).
• Strong project planning, management, monitoring, and evaluation experience, including budgeting and reporting.
• Proficient in Results-Oriented and Participatory Development Approach (PDA) tools; experience with Logical Framework Analysis (LFA) is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, relationship-building, conflict management, and negotiation skills, especially in developing and maintaining contacts with development and funding agencies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, networking, and presentation. Fluency in English, French, and other relevant local languages is preferred.
• Proven experience in engaging with bilateral and multilateral donors and identifying new business opportunities and partnerships.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet-based tools.
• Willingness to travel extensively, nationally, regionally, and internationally as required.
• Flexibility to work in a time-sensitive, dynamic environment.
• Commitment to Children Believe’s Vision, Mission, and Values.
• Proven experience in engaging with bilateral and multilateral donors and identifying new business opportunities and partnerships.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet-based tools.
• Willingness to travel extensively, nationally, regionally, and internationally as required.
• Flexibility to work in a time-sensitive, dynamic environment.
• Commitment to Children Believe’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

Attributes, Traits, and Behaviors:

• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ownership, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Champions organizational decisions and upholds values such as respect for diversity, integrity, professionalism, results-orientation, and accountability.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Proactive, results-driven, self-motivated, honest, and responsible.
• Flexible and able to meet internal and external deadlines amidst changing demands and priorities.
• Adaptable and open to change.
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative and inclusive team player.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and maintaining positive relationships.
• Influential leadership style that inspires trust and respect.
• Prioritizes personal health, stress management, and well-being.
• Commands respect with a credible presence, instilling confidence in others.

Application Process:

If you believe you have that unique combination of a not-for-profit heart combined with the skills and interest for the “Grants and Partnership Manager - Burkina Faso” position, click the “Apply” button found at the bottom of this screen.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Burkina Faso.

Consistent with our Child Protection/Safe-Guarding Policy the successful candidate must receive clearance by a criminal record check.

Children Believe is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all applicants for applying, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

People & Culture Team

Children Believe