Development & Learning Officer at Youth Network for Community and Sustainable Development (YNCSD)

Job Summary

• The Development & Learning Officer contributes significantly to the growth and sustainability of Youth Network for Community & Sustainable Development (YNCSD).
• This role is responsible for managing the writing and submission of grant applications and reports, leading the organization’s annual fundraising and donor recognition, and carrying out the administration of the donor database.
• The Development & Learning Officer works collaboratively across departments on grant activities while stewarding relationships with new and existing donors, and provides support to the CEO and Board of YNCSD on achieving momentous sustainability and Business Development plans.
• This role has significant responsibility for overseeing complex projects and is accountable for achieving specific funding goals laid out in the strategic plan.
• This role will oversee internal reporting, and database maintenance of reports and operational support to operationalize the Learning and Monitoring plans of YNCSD so as to drive internal learning, knowledge management, and cross-breeding these into new project designs.

Responsibilities
The following are the key duties and responsibilities of the Development Officer:

Grant Portfolio Management (70%):

• Writes and leads the development of proposals and reports, manages the submission and agreement processes
• Takes leadership and full end-to-end responsibility of the proposal pipeline, donor research and BD project management.
• Works collaboratively across departments to compile the necessary information for applications and reports
• Manages the grant proposal and reporting calendars, and tracks activities in fundraising database and hard-copy filing system
• Researches funding prospects and keeps an eye on grant and funding trends
• Works closely with the Senior Programme Associate, and Strategic Advisors to ensure grant requirements are fulfilled on time
• Makes deliberate efforts to establish linkages with like-minded organizations and position YNCSD for consortium applications and joint proposals.

Donor Relations Management (10%):

• Maintains detailed records of all donor (including major donors) contact; ensures timely and personal appreciation and recognition is completed
• Manages weekly Business Development calls and monthly pipeline overview meeting
• Works with the Communications and Advocacy department to develop and enhance promotion and recognition tools aimed at individual donors (website, print pieces, email content, story/pic/video library, frames, project briefs)
• Manages the donor recognition and stewardship program, including updating organization policies and procedures

Maintains active database of partners, stakeholders and like minded organizations Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning plus Database Administration (20%):

• Acts as the organization’s database system administrator covering MEL products, Business Development trackers etc.
• Performs regular database maintenance, including system backups and duplicate management
• Tracks internal reporting and maintenance of staff and activity reports and synthesize into monthly, quarterly and annual reports
• Manages monthly Knowledge Management Calls with Executive Team

Project support:

• Manages projects on an ad hoc basis related to Program Department priorities when needed especially when new projects are won before handing over to a Project Officer.

Qualifications
Required:

• Candidates should possess a B.Sc Degree
• Minimum 2 years of experience in writing winning proposals across a wide range of donors
• Experience working with large, complex organizational budgets and in an operations role.
• Excellent written and oral communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff, the board, and external relations.
• Resourceful and organized with high attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively prioritize, multi-task, and manage time.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Works well independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to work well in a complex and fluid environment in an organization that is growing.
• Honest and willing to admit mistakes and ask for help from team members
• Pro-active and dynamic in delivering work streams
• Must be an excellent writer.

Remuneration
We value the health and well-being of our employees, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Salary: N70,000 - N150,000 Monthly (depending on experience)
• Comprehensive and generous health insurance options
• Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave
• Flexible work schedules and technology benefits
• Professional learning and development and educational assistance.