Sinapi Aba Trust is a leading Microfinance not-for-profit organization in Ghana. For over 18 years Sinapi Aba Trust has support the economically active poor to enhance their lives through microfinance and basic business training. In 2009, Sinapi Aba Trust partnered with IDP Foundation, to implement the IDP Rising Schools Program.

The IDP Rising Schools Program aims to boost the development of existing low-cost private schools in an innovative way by efficiently delivering financial literacy and school management training followed by targeted loans. Over the last 3 years, the IDP Rising Schools Program has reached over 100 schools serving 27,000 children in 4 regions of Ghana. In the next 4 years, the partnership will expand to reach over 1200 more schools in 8 regions of Ghana.

Description Of Job

TITLE:  Relationship Manager, IDP Rising Schools Program

REPORTS TO: Head of Non-Finance Department, Sinapi Aba Trust - Kumasi, Ghana AND Program Manager, IDP Foundation, Inc. - Chicago, Illinois, USA

We are seeking a results-oriented Relationship Manager based in Accra, Ghana to identify and build relationships between the IDP Rising Schools Program and government leaders (elected officials, Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service), bi/multilateral institutions, corporate donors, and educational stakeholders in order to raise awareness, strengthen strategic partnerships, seek opportunities for public private partnerships, and secure funding for the program’s expansion.

The Relationship Manager will join a small Ghana-based fundraising team from Sinapi Aba Trust.  The Relationship Manager will also work closely with the IDP Rising Schools Program team from both Sinapi Aba Trust and the IDP Foundation, Inc. on fundraising strategies and program reporting.

A successful candidate will identify, meet and communicate with new donors; build relationships with donors; refine the donor prospect pool; identify, screen and rank potential donors; write successful grant proposals that will increase funding for the IDP Rising Schools Program, and the Youth Apprenticeship Program when appropriate; ensure implementing activities and reporting to donors is prompt and comprehensive; raise awareness of the IDP Rising Schools Program within targeted donor groups; connect, convene, and identify partnership opportunities with the Ghanaian government agencies working in education; and education stakeholders.

In addition to the IDP Rising Schools Program, the Relationship Manager should identify opportunities for the IDP Rising Schools Program and the Youth Apprenticeship Program could apply for joint proposals to ensure the continuum from basic education to employment. Sinapi Aba Trusts Youth Apprenticeship Program over the course of this three-years aims to improve the quality of life of Ghanaian youth by equipping vulnerable, uneducated youth between the ages of 15-25 with employable and entrepreneurial skills, thereby enhancing their ability to become economically productive and empowered members of society.

In addition, the Relationship Manager will perform management duties as they relate to donor-acquired funds, monitor those project objectives, engage in field research, identify and evaluate best practices, and work closely with Sinapi Aba Trust and the IDP Foundation on how to best leverage all that is learned through this project.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Business Development/Fundraising:

•  Identify and build relationships with governments, Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, institutions and corporations with the end goal of securing funds, partnerships, and making connections for the development/advancement/branding of the IDP Rising Schools Program (attend meetings, host roundtables and other networking events, etc).
•  Research government, bi/multilateral, institutional and corporate/foundation prospects to determine budgets, past projects, average gift amounts, areas of interest and activity, linkages, and the strategy to produce successful solicitations/proposals.
•  Maintain prospect database, monitor fundraising progress, write proposals, concept papers, and other documents as needed, provide history of contacts and reports for the IDP Rising Schools Program team and Youth Apprenticeship Program team.
•  Liaise with Sinapi Aba Trust and the IDP Foundation, Inc. team to understand overall funding strategy, objectives and needs for the IDP Rising Schools Program and Youth Apprenticeship Program.
•  Monitor implementing activities as they relate to donor funds, write and provide reporting to donors and the IDP Rising Schools team.

Marketing/Communications/Public Relations:

•  Seek and create public relations opportunities for IDP Rising Schools Program and Youth Apprenticeship Program.
•  Write blog posts, web updates, take photographs and videos of IDP Rising Schools Program field activities
•  Implement Donor Marketing and Outreach Campaigns: create/maintain centralized donor contact database and proactively send out messaging to identified donor groups.
•  Serve as a point person for and maintain constant contact with the IDP Rising Schools teams in Chicago and Kumasi.
•  Coordinate travel and logistics when IDP Rising Schools Program team or international visitors are in Accra.

Qualification Required & Experience

Technical and Communication Skills:

•  Experience working with/within development organizations/institutional donors such as USAID, United Nations agencies, World Bank, Africa Development Bank, Ford Foundation, CGAP, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IFAD and/or others.
•  Previous experience working in Ghana with the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service a plus
•  Strong previous track record in fundraising, business development and grant writing OR previous experience evaluating grant applications/proposals on behalf of the institutional donors listed above.
•  A working knowledge of steps needed to secure major grants from new and existing institutional and individual donors - skilled in finding new pockets of funding and aggressive in bringing deals to a close
•  A comprehensive understanding of corporate philanthropy, education, microfinance and economic development.  Experience working on youth a plus.
•  An established network of relationships with institutional and corporate/foundation donors that fund international development programs.
•  Excellent oral and written communication skills.
•  Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
•  BA in International Business, International Development, or related field.
•  Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills—able to build relationships and communicate effectively internally, externally and across multiple time zones.
•  Diplomacy, good judgment and cultural sensitivity—able to work well between Ghanaian, non-western and western cultures.
•  Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
•  Ability to bring an upbeat, energetic, self-starting, imaginative, problem solving approach.
•  Capable of synthesizing information; analyzing situations; recognizing synergies/connections; and developing action plans in a timely and efficient manner.
•  Organized, detailed-oriented, and work well under pressure of deadlines.
•  Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
•  Commitment to the vision and mission of Sinapi Aba Trust and the IDP Foundation.
•  Ability to travel - Significant travel within Ghana and Africa as well as some travel within the US to establish and maintain relationships with targeted donors.

Qualifications:

•  Minimum of 7 years’ experience
•  Bachelors degree required
•  Legally able to work in Ghana

How To Apply For The Job

SEND Cover Letter and Resume to:

Anne Schumacher
Program Manager
IDP Rising Schools Program
IDP Foundation, Inc.

at:

jobs@idpfoundation.org

Closing Date: 16th November, 2012