Development Associate- Internal Posting

Food4Education is experiencing rapid growth, and we are on the lookout for a highly motivated and creative Development Associate to help fuel our expansion. This role will focus on managing grants, proposal writing, and ensuring compliance, all while being a key player in our Development team. As the Development Associate, you will be responsible for crafting compelling donor reports and proposals, collaborating with internal teams to gather essential information, and engaging with donors for follow-up requests. Beyond writing, you’ll play an instrumental role in supporting development operations by managing key fundraising tools and systems, ensuring the proper storage of all contracts, and leading fundraising research projects.

This role is ideal for someone who not only thrives in crafting powerful narratives but also excels at uncovering and collecting impactful stories from all stakeholders, bringing creativity and fresh ideas to how we communicate our work. If you’re passionate about making an impact through storytelling, and are driven by efficiency and innovation, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Key Responsibilities

Grant Reporting & Project Management

• Lead the writing and project management of high-quality grant reports, ensuring collaboration with internal teams (Policy, Operations, Finance, etc.) to collect accurate data.
  
• Streamline grant reporting systems and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness, reducing time spent on sourcing information and ensuring timely submissions.
  
• Oversee the timely submission of reports to donors, ensuring all details are aligned with the agreed terms and funding objectives.
  

Grant Proposal Development

• Craft and manage tailored grant concept notes and proposals, aligning them with donor priorities and funding areas.
  
• Lead the coordination of follow-up communications and diligence requests from donors related to pending or submitted proposals.
  
• Work closely with the team to optimize proposal-writing workflows, incorporating best practices to reduce bottlenecks and enhance overall efficiency.
  

Development Operations & Team Support

• Manage the grant process, including reviewing grant contracts and ensuring all award materials are properly stored and maintained, proper organization of contract data on Google Drive, maintaining clear and accessible records.
  
• Provide administrative support for donor visits which includes creating detailed itineraries, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring all logistical elements are flawlessly executed. The position requires a proactive approach to building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, such as Head Teachers, school staff, and kitchen managers.
  
• Collaborate with the Development team to conduct research on new donor engagement opportunities, supporting the team’s strategy for expanding partnerships.
  
• Provide ad-hoc analyses and reports on giving data when required to inform strategic decisions.
  

Minimum Requirements

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field
  
• 2-4 years of professional experience, preferably in a fundraising, communications, or generally writing-focused role
  
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
  
• Solutions-oriented with a positive, 'can-do' attitude, able to prioritize tasks, and navigate shifting demands effectively
  
• Highly skilled at managing complex projects with multiple moving parts, demonstrating exceptional organization, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and multitask efficiently
  
• Proactive, self-motivated, and capable of working independently while ensuring follow-through on all initiatives
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media platforms
  
• Comfortable engaging with internal and external partners, demonstrating confidence and professionalism