Global Foundations Manager

About Welthungerhilfe

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is one of Germany's leading private aid organizations, independent politically and religiously, committed to creating a world free from hunger. Through partnerships both nationally and internationally, WHH responds to humanitarian crises and implements long-term strategies that enhance the living conditions of vulnerable populations. The organization emphasizes local leadership, global connectivity, innovation, and evidence-based decision making to foster continuous improvements and contribute to achieving #ZeroHunger. The vision is a world with universal food access and a healthy, sustainable planet.

Role Overview

The Global Foundations Manager based in Nairobi will play a vital role in expanding Welthungerhilfe's funding from philanthropic foundations and building sustainable partnerships aligned with the Zero Hunger mission. This full-time role involves developing strategic relationships with foundations at regional, local, and global levels while collaborating closely with country offices and the German headquarters. The initial contract is for two years with a strong potential for renewal. Employment terms including salary will be determined according to the candidate's recruitment category, whether national or expatriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with WHH country offices to identify, develop, and advance strategic opportunities for foundation partnerships.
• Support country teams in building and maintaining robust pipelines of foundation prospects that align with program goals and funding strategies.
• Guide country offices in cultivating foundation relationships, including designing donor outreach, engagement strategies, and partnership positioning.
• Co-develop partnership proposals, presentation materials, and cases for support that translate programmatic priorities and impact data into compelling cases for foundations.
• Facilitate the sharing of best practices, fundraising insights, and market intelligence across global offices to strengthen overall foundation engagement capacity.
• Pursue selected strategic foundation partnerships, especially with regional and locally operating foundations, ensuring alignment with global and country strategies.
• Coordinate closely with WHH teams worldwide to ensure consistency and coherence in managing donor relations and engagement approaches.
• Develop high-quality pitches, concept notes, formal proposals, and partnership offers in cooperation with program experts and country staff.
• Support foundation partner due diligence and risk assessment processes in accordance with WHH's policies and compliance requirements.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree required; a Master’s degree in fields such as International Relations, Nonprofit Management, Development Studies, Marketing, or Communications is highly preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in foundation fundraising or institutional philanthropy, preferably in international NGOs or global development contexts.
• Proven track record of successfully securing six- and seven-figure grants and managing long-term partner relationships.
• Strong analytical and strategic abilities to craft compelling, impact-focused proposals from complex programmatic information.
• Familiarity with donor relationship management tools like Salesforce or equivalents to track pipelines and engagement status.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills to build trust and collaborate effectively across diverse cultures and organizational levels.
• Highly organized, independent, and reliable with the capacity to manage multiple parallel priorities in a fast-evolving environment.
• Adaptability to shifting philanthropic trends and eagerness to incorporate data-driven approaches into fundraising strategies.
• Superior written and spoken English communication skills with demonstrated capacity to develop persuasive donor documents; additional languages are advantageous.

What We Offer

• Equitable and transparent salary reflecting fair compensation standards.
• Strong commitment to employee well-being, emphasizing safety, security, and health.
• A modern, agile workplace that embraces digital innovation across all functions.
• Opportunities for personal and professional development and career advancement.
• A dynamic, diverse, and passionate team dedicated to making a positive global impact.

Additional Information

The position is based at the Nairobi office and requires close collaboration with global and country teams, including virtual coordination across time zones. Welthungerhilfe is committed to diversity and inclusion, offering an equitable working environment. Candidates will be screened as part of counterterrorism policies. Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2026, through the official recruiting system. The contract is initially for two years with excellent prospects for extension.