Fundraising Lead

Role Overview

As Fundraising Lead, you will find and develop funding opportunities that support Synnefa’s growth, with a focus on grants, foundations and corporate partnerships. Working closely with the Founder & CEO and colleagues across Finance, technical teams and grants compliance, you will take proposals from early assessment through funder engagement and decision, then ensure successful awards are handed over clearly.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a funding pipeline connected to Synnefa’s growth priorities; evaluate each opportunity for eligibility, strategic fit, timing and delivery obligations.
• Identify relevant foundations, institutional funders and corporate partners, and create routes to engagement through research, outreach and introductions, including beyond advertised funding calls.
• Develop concept notes, applications, proposals and pitch materials, drawing on verified technical, commercial and impact information and collaborating with Finance on budgets.
• Coordinate funder communications, follow-ups, due diligence and negotiations through to a decision, involving the CEO in significant relationships and commitments.
• Pursue renewals, additional awards and partnerships with current funders, as well as appropriate consortium opportunities.
• Keep opportunity records and funding forecasts current; communicate progress, flag risks early and propose practical actions.
• Prepare complete handovers for signed awards, including budgets, funder conditions and reporting obligations, and assist the CEO with materials and due diligence for broader capital raising.

Requirements & Qualifications

• At least three years of relevant experience in fundraising, grant development or funding partnerships, with verifiable examples of successful awards and a clear account of your role in securing them.
• Experience researching funding opportunities, engaging prospective funders and building relationships, as well as preparing responses to open calls.
• Strong written and spoken communication, with the ability to explain an organisation’s work, impact and funding needs clearly and persuasively.
• Practical knowledge of proposal budgeting, restricted funding, co-financing, financial information and funder due diligence.
• Excellent organisation and follow-through, plus confidence working with spreadsheets and a fundraising database or CRM.
• A relevant degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience in agriculture, climate, energy access, technology or African social enterprises is an advantage.

What We Offer / Why Join

Success in this role will be assessed through funding secured against agreed targets, the quality and progress of the pipeline, timely and accurate proposals and forecasts, effective funder follow-up, and complete handovers of awarded funding to the compliance team.