Development (Fundraising) Officer – Grant Writing

Role Overview

This position drives the university’s fundraising and resource mobilisation agenda by turning funding opportunities into tangible projects for scholarships, research, innovation, and campus development. You will spend your time researching funding sources, drafting persuasive proposals, and coordinating input from academic and administrative teams to deliver competitive applications. By nurturing donor relationships and strengthening partnerships locally and internationally, your work will directly shape the university’s ability to grow and serve its students and community.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and assess grant, corporate, and philanthropic funding opportunities that align with the university’s strategic priorities.
• Develop high-quality grant proposals, concept notes, and funding applications from initial idea through to submission.
• Coordinate with academic schools, research teams, and support departments to gather input, refine budgets, and meet submission deadlines.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, development agencies, alumni, and other strategic stakeholders.
• Support fundraising campaigns, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and donor stewardship events, including volunteer coordination.
• Maintain accurate donor and grant databases, track progress against targets, and prepare reports and impact stories that demonstrate the value of investments.
• Conduct due diligence on prospective partners to ensure alignment with university policies and strategic goals, and act as a liaison with community organisations.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, Communications, Marketing, International Relations, Public Relations, Project Management, or a related field from a recognised institution.
• At least two years of relevant experience in fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, partnership development, business development, or resource mobilisation.
• Proven ability to write successful grant proposals and deliver fundraising initiatives.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in donor-funded programmes, NGOs, higher education institutions, or development organisations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Excellent relationship management, networking, and stakeholder engagement abilities, including negotiation and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated analytical, organisational, and project management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple deadlines under pressure.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality, coupled with a proactive, self-driven, results-oriented work ethic.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office and familiarity with database management systems.

If you have the requisite qualifications and experience and desire to work as a team member in a modern, progressive, international, and multicultural institution where you can make a difference, please apply indicating in the subject line of the email address Development (Fundraising) Officer – Grant Writing. Interested applicants must provide a cover letter and a current CV, certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts, names and addresses of three referees (two of whom must be your current and previous employer), current salary and benefits, telephone and e-mail contacts by Friday, August 28, 2026 to;

Director Human Resource,

United States International University – Africa,

P. O. Box 14634-00800, Nairobi, Kenya

Email: [email protected]

Interested and qualified? Go to United States International University - USIU Africa on www.usiu.ac.ke to apply