Director of Resource Mobilisation

ABOUT AFO Action For Ocean (AFO) is a marine conservation organization focused on promoting the health and resilience of ocean ecosystems alongside the wellbeing of coastal communities. Across Tanzania, many people depend on the sea for their food, income, and identity. For conservation to be meaningful and lasting, it must recognize and respond to this connection. AFO integrates sustainable livelihood activities into its conservation work as a way to reduce pressure on marine resources and encourage long-term stewardship. Supporting communities with viable economic alternatives helps foster local ownership of conservation goals and strengthens their capacity to adapt to environmental challenges. ROLE PURPOSE Lead the execution of AFO’s existing fundraising strategy and established pipeline, turning qualified opportunities into signed funding commitments, cash received, and high-value partnerships. The Director will lead AFO’s resource mobilisation effort in support of its approximately US$16 million five-year funding ambition. This is a fundraising and deal-closing role, not a strategy-writing role. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES – Raise and secure resources: Own annual fundraising delivery targets; progress AFO’s existing pipeline from cultivation through ask, negotiation, signed agreement and disbursement. Personally lead and close major funding opportunities. – Build donor relationships: Cultivate and steward foundations, individuals, family offices, companies and institutional funders; secure new, renewed, unrestricted and multi-year support. Activate US philanthropy opportunities through AFO’s Myriad USA giving mechanism. – Convert partnerships into results: Lead strategic engagement and negotiate partnerships that bring finance, technical capabilities, influence or access—not agreements without tangible outputs. – Lead fundraising execution: Direct and coach the Business Development and Fundraising Manager; prioritise proposals and investments of staff time, and work with programme, Finance and Communications teams to deliver strong, costed funding requests. – Manage funding intelligence: Maintain a disciplined pipeline with named owners, stages, decision dates and next actions; provide monthly forecasts distinguishing prospects, proposals, signed commitments and cash receipts. – Protect quality and reputation: Negotiate appropriate cost recovery, delivery commitments and reporting terms; prioritise funders aligned with AFO’s community-led conservation model and long-term sustainability. – Enable executive and board fundraising: Prepare and involve the Executive Director and Board in high-level tasks and relationship stewardship; ensure reliable follow-up after every engagement. HOW SUCCESS WILL BE MEASURED – Annual value of new signed funding agreements and cash received versus approved targets; progress toward AFO’s five-year mobilisation goal. – Conversion of priority pipeline opportunities; size and quality of multi-year and flexible funding secured; number and value of new major donors. – Donor renewal and retention, strategic partnership value, pipeline forecast accuracy and timely execution of agreed next steps. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND DEMONSTRATED TRACK RECORD – At least 8 years in fundraising, philanthropy, strategic partnerships or business development, including senior responsibility for revenue/resource mobilisation. – Verifiable history of personally leading or closing significant grants, major gifts, sponsorships or partnership funding. Must state amounts secured, funder types, dates and specific personal role; candidates who only supported proposal administration do not meet this requirement. – Excellent senior-level relationship building, donor pitching, negotiation, financial judgement, persuasive writing and management skills. – Experience with international philanthropy or conservation/development funding; ability to manage cross-functional teams and engage funders globally.

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