Business Development & Partnerships Associate

Nairobi

  • Organization: HIAS
  • Location: Nairobi
  • Grade: Junior level - Junior
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Sustainable trade and development
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
    • Sustainable Business Development
  • Closing Date:

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS Kenya seeks to recruit a Business Development and Partnerships Associate to support the Country Office in its resource mobilization, communications, advocacy, and partnership activities. The Associate will assist in mapping potential donors and partners, coordinating and preparing proposals, drafting and distributing newsletters and donor reports, and sharing success stories to highlight program impact. This role provides operational and administrative support to ensure timely and effective resource mobilization processes, strengthen donor engagement, and enhance HIAS Kenya’s visibility and strategic partnerships.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Resource Mobilization

  • Coordinate donor mapping exercises and implement strategies to secure resources for HIAS Kenya programs.
  • Review donor agreements before signing.
  • Be the focal person for Grants Management System (GMS) in the country office.
  • Manage proposal development processes, including timelines, task lists, and coordination across program teams.
  • Draft and edit donor-facing materials such as letters of interest (LOIs), concept notes, capacity statements, and technical narratives.
  • Conduct research on potential funding opportunities, summarize findings, and present recommendations to program teams and senior management.
  • Coordinate donor feedback and debriefs, ensuring lessons learned are integrated into future submissions.

Communications and Advocacy

  • Develop and distribute donor newsletters, success stories, and other communication materials highlighting program impact.
  • Coordinate donor reporting, ensuring timely and accurate submission of progress reports and updates.
  • Maintain and update donor management databases to support efficient communication and reporting processes.
  • Support donor site visits and engagement activities, including preparing materials and managing logistics.
  • Collaborate with HQ and program teams to align communication strategies with recource mobilization and advocacy efforts.

Partnerships

  • Identify and map potential international and local partners (NGOs, academia, CBOs, FBOs, etc.) for collaboration and inclusion in proposals.
  • Draft MOUs with partners and conduct due diligence.
  • Maintain a database of partnerships and track engagement opportunities to strengthen relationships.
  • Coordinate joint initiatives with partners to enhance resource mobilization and program impact.
  • Facilitate networking and stakeholder engagement activities to expand HIAS Kenya’s strategic alliances.
  • Support portfolio diversification by tracking resource mobilization opportunities from donors.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in communication, Media Studies, International Relations, or a related field, preferably with a focus on international development.
  • 1–2 years of professional experience in resource mobilization, communications/advocacy, and donor engagement within the humanitarian and/or human rights sector.
  • Proven experience in grant writing, proposal development, and donor communications.
  • Familiarity with institutional donors, corporate partners, private foundations, and non-traditional sources is an advantage.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of supporting successful proposal submissions.
  • Skilled in researching and summarizing potential funding opportunities to inform program and fundraising strategies.
  • Able to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Proficient in Microsoft 365 and experienced with Salesforce or similar donor/database management systems.
  • Knowledge of the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) framework.
  • Awareness of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Anti-Fraud principles.

DISCLAIMER:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person. Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees. Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

How to Apply:

All applications should be completed through the online portal.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

HIAS is an equal opportunity employer, does not charge candidates for recruitment and dissociates itself from any entity defrauding candidates.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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