Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Aceli Africa ("Aceli”) is a market catalyst mobilizing finance for small- and medium-enterprises (SMEs) in the agriculture sector in East Africa. Informed by original data on the economics of agri-SME lending, Aceli Africa is designed to align capital supply and demand to mobilize $500M in lending to agri-SMEs while creating a more sustainable and competitive marketplace.

Responsibilities or duties

Donor Relationship & Pipeline Management (40%)

• Cultivate and steward donor relationships in collaboration with a team, including the CEO, Head of Strategic Initiatives, and Chief of Staff.
• Draft concept notes, proposals, results frameworks, and budgets for new or renewal funders, considering donor restrictions and Aceli’s funding needs.
• Maintain the donor pipeline by tracking renewal cycles, identifying risks, and providing weekly reports to the Chief of Staff and CEO on active conversations and progress.
• Develop briefing notes and background research for the CEO and other leadership team members ahead of donor meetings and events.

Impact Reporting & Narrative Development (40%)

• Lead the coordination of quarterly, semi-annual, and annual donor reports by proactively gathering data from program teams across the organization.
• Synthesize complex program data into compelling impact stories and proposals that align with donor interests and Aceli’s mission, alongside communications lead.
• Prepare quarterly steering committee materials and ad hoc donor requests.
• Serve as a final internal reviewer for all donor-facing documents, ensuring accuracy and alignment with Aceli’s voice.

Special Projects & Fundraising Strategy (20%)

• Conduct market mapping to identify new funding opportunities, bilateral/multilateral leads, and strategic partners.
• Identify and implement improvements to the fundraising and reporting process, including how to incorporate artificial intelligence solutions.
• Assist the Chief of Staff in preparing board-level presentations and materials related to fundraising progress and organizational growth.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, business administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills; able to take complex technical information and make it accessible and persuasive.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, PowerBI, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.
• Commitment to and understanding of Aceli’s Vision, Mission, and Values

Experience needed

• Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience in business development, grant management, or executive-level project management.
• Proven ability to manage multiple high-stakes deadlines simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
• Experience in agriculture, Africa, finance and/or impact narration will be an added advantage.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

• A self-starter who identifies needs before they are flagged by leadership and presents potential solutions.
• Motivated and eager to contribute to a growing, mission-driven organization.
• Professional with a demonstrated record of the highest integrity and ethical conduct
• Ability to have flexible hours to accommodate time zones (most Aceli team members are based in East Africa; most funders and The Chief of Staff are based in the US/Europe).
• Willingness to travel 2-3 times per year to Sub-Saharan Africa (if based in Washington DC) or to Washington DC (if based in Nairobi).

• Cultivate and steward donor relationships in collaboration with a team, including the CEO, Head of Strategic Initiatives, and Chief of Staff.
• Draft concept notes, proposals, results frameworks, and budgets for new or renewal funders, considering donor restrictions and Aceli’s funding needs.
• Maintain the donor pipeline by tracking renewal cycles, identifying risks, and providing weekly reports to the Chief of Staff and CEO on active conversations and progress.
• Develop briefing notes and background research for the CEO and other leadership team members ahead of donor meetings and events.
• Lead the coordination of quarterly, semi-annual, and annual donor reports by proactively gathering data from program teams across the organization.
• Synthesize complex program data into compelling impact stories and proposals that align with donor interests and Aceli’s mission, alongside communications lead.
• Prepare quarterly steering committee materials and ad hoc donor requests.
• Serve as a final internal reviewer for all donor-facing documents, ensuring accuracy and alignment with Aceli’s voice.
• Conduct market mapping to identify new funding opportunities, bilateral/multilateral leads, and strategic partners.
• Identify and implement improvements to the fundraising and reporting process, including how to incorporate artificial intelligence solutions.
• Assist the Chief of Staff in preparing board-level presentations and materials related to fundraising progress and organizational growth.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Proficiency in Salesforce, PowerBI, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to manage multiple high-stakes deadlines simultaneously
• Attention to detail
• Self-starter
• Ability to have flexible hours to accommodate time zones
• Willingness to travel

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, business administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of professional experience in business development, grant management, or executive-level project management.
• Experience in agriculture, Africa, finance and/or impact narration will be an added advantage.
• Commitment to and understanding of Aceli’s Vision, Mission, and Values