Development Associate at Food For Education

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Grant Reporting & Project Management

• Lead the writing and project management of high-quality grant reports, ensuring collaboration with internal teams (Policy, Operations, Finance, etc.) to collect accurate data.
• Streamline grant reporting systems and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness, reducing time spent on sourcing information and ensuring timely submissions.
• Oversee the timely submission of reports to donors, ensuring all details are aligned with the agreed terms and funding objectives.

Grant Proposal Development

• Craft and manage tailored grant concept notes and proposals, aligning them with donor priorities and funding areas.
• Lead the coordination of follow-up communications and diligence requests from donors related to pending or submitted proposals.
• Work closely with the team to optimize proposal-writing workflows, incorporating best practices to reduce bottlenecks and enhance overall efficiency.

Fundraising Communications Support & Impact Story Collection

• Working closely with the Director of Development & Impact, Senior Development Manager, Impact team, and Communications team to map out our key communications needs, including key stories and messages we want to share in our fundraising communications.
• Work with TSMs, area leads, and kitchen managers to go to our operations and gather impactful stories and videos of children, staff, and suppliers. from the field.
• Oversee the editing and organization of these materials, ensuring they are uploaded to Dropbox / Google drive and properly categorized for easy access and future use.

Development Operations & Team Support

• Manage the grant process, including reviewing grant contracts and ensuring all award materials are properly stored and maintained, proper organization of contract data on Google Drive, maintaining clear and accessible records. 
• Provide administrative support for donor visits which includes creating detailed itineraries, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring all logistical elements are flawlessly executed. The position requires a proactive approach to building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, such as Head Teachers, school staff, and kitchen managers. 
• Collaborate with the Development team to conduct research on new donor engagement opportunities, supporting the team’s strategy for expanding partnerships.
• Provide ad-hoc analyses and reports on giving data when required to inform strategic decisions.

Desired Candidate Profile

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field
• 2-4 years of professional experience, preferably in a fundraising, communications, or generally writing-focused role
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Solutions-oriented with a positive, 'can-do' attitude, able to prioritize tasks, and navigate shifting demands effectively
• Highly skilled at managing complex projects with multiple moving parts, demonstrating exceptional organization, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and multitask efficiently
• Proactive, self-motivated, and capable of working independently while ensuring follow-through on all initiatives
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media platforms
• Comfortable engaging with internal and external partners, demonstrating confidence and professionalism
• Basic videography and photography skills are desirable, but not required
• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM systems is desirable, but not required