Strategic Partnerships Manager / Senior Associate (Fixed-Term) at One Acre Fund in All, Nairobi, Kenya

    One Acre Fund logo

    Strategic Partnerships Manager / Senior Associate (Fixed-Term)

    One Acre FundAll, Nairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    1 week ago

    Apply by

    23 Oct

    Contractor
    On Site
    Senior
    Agriculture & Agribusiness
    Management & Business Development

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    Job Description

    By 2030, our organisation will serve 10 million farm families annually. This growth will be fuelled by fundraising, and at One Acre Fund, our fundraising relies on industry-leading grant and partnership management. We have a 10-person grant management team within our larger Business Development department, responsible for stewarding our highest-value donor partnerships, and are now looking for new Strategic Partnerships Senior Associates / Managers to join this team. These roles will manage some of our highest-value donor partnerships, leading the coordination and monitoring of grant-funded activities.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Drive thematic partnerships happening in the field: You will bring an ambitious vision of smallholder prosperity to life in new thematic areas for the organisation, helping us build the capacity to deliver impact to smallholders through conservation agriculture, women/youth engagement, and/or smallholder insurance.
    • Project Management and Coordination: Partner with program teams to set goals, design and run project activities, anticipate challenges, and keep every part of the plan moving forward smoothly.
    • Collaborative Problem Solving: Work closely with program staff to tackle day-to-day and long-term challenges, bringing real-world insights directly to org leadership and the donor.
    • Program Fluency: Spend dedicated time in the field with farmers and staff to fully understand work and ensure that all we do in the partnership remains tailored to what farmers really need.
    • Own, manage and/or support key donor relationships: You will ensure One Acre Fund builds and maintains an excellent relationship with our partners, translating field impact into clear, compelling narratives and keeping our partners deeply connected to our progress.
    • Donor Engagement: Act as the main point of contact for all funder communications, seamlessly bridging the gap between donors and field teams in whatever ways are needed, including regular communications, coordinating visits, and more as required.
    • Storytelling and Reporting: Through deep program fluency, deliver clear, high-quality narrative and financial updates that demonstrate to our partners the true impact of their support.
    • Grant Administration: Manage the essential day-to-day details of the funding, including accurate data tracking, invoices, and otherwise ensuring all grant operations are running smoothly and on time.

    Required Qualifications

    • Bachelor's degree in International Development, Public Policy, Business, Economics, or a related field.
    • 5-10 years of professional experience in international development, strategic partnerships, grant management, consulting, or project management, depending on role level.
    • Experience in a public-facing role and with managing external stakeholders, preferred.
    • Strong writing and communication skills.
    • Excellent organisational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive.
    • Proven negotiation and problem-solving skills.
    • Comfortable with data and working in Google Sheets, preferred.
    • Fluency in English required.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Management & Business Development

    Minimum Experience

    5 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Business

    Field of Study

    International Development

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to One Acre Fund's career page to submit your application. The application deadline is 23 October 2026, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

    Show Donor Stewardship and Field Fluency on Your CV

    This role sits at the intersection of donor relationship management and field-level program coordination. Hiring managers will look for evidence that you can translate complex field realities into compelling narratives for funders, and that you can navigate the operational details of grant administration.

    1. Lead with partnership outcomes: On your CV, highlight specific partnerships you've managed, the size of the grants, and the outcomes achieved. Use numbers to show scale, like 'managed a $2M grant portfolio' or 'improved donor retention by 30%'.

    2. Show field experience: If you've spent time in rural settings or with smallholder farmers, make that prominent. This role requires deep program fluency, so any direct experience with agricultural programs or community engagement is a plus.

    3. Demonstrate writing samples: Since storytelling and reporting are key, prepare a portfolio of your best donor reports, proposals, or impact narratives. Be ready to discuss how you tailored each piece to different audiences.

    4. Highlight data comfort: You'll be working in Google Sheets and tracking grant data. Mention any experience with data analysis, dashboards, or financial tracking. Show that you can turn numbers into insights.

    5. Prepare for stakeholder questions: Expect interview questions about managing difficult stakeholders, handling conflicts, and negotiating. Have concrete examples ready that show your problem-solving and communication skills.

    6. Understand the donor landscape: Research One Acre Fund's major donors and the types of grants they receive. Be ready to discuss trends in international development funding and how you'd approach stewardship.

    7. Show adaptability: This role involves travel and time in the field. Demonstrate your willingness to be flexible and your ability to work across cultures and time zones.

    8. Ask smart questions: In your interview, ask about the specific donor partnerships you'd manage, the team structure, and how success is measured. This shows you're thinking strategically about the role.

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    Tags

    partnerships
    grant management
    project management
    donor relations
    strategic partnerships