Job Title: Resource Development Officer
Organisation: Legal Resources Centre (LRC)
Location: Johannesburg (LRC National Office)
About the Legal Resources Centre: The LRC is a dynamic and impactful non-governmental public interest law firm that has been at the forefront of advancing human rights and constitutionalism in South Africa for over four decades. We are dedicated to promoting justice, equality, and social change through public interest litigation, advocacy, and legal services.
Position Overview: The Resource Development Officer will play a crucial role in strengthening the financial position of the LRC by securing funding for its programmes. This involves cultivating and nurturing relationships with new and existing domestic and international institutional donors, including foundations, trusts, and government organizations. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the entire donor funding lifecycle, from prospecting to stewardship.
Key responsibilities: Under the supervision of Development Manager, the Resource Development Officer’s responsibilities will include:
Donor Acquisition:
- Identifying, researching, and proactively pursuing high-probability funding opportunities.
- Cultivating and nurturing strong relationships with new prospects, as well as maintaining relationships with existing donors and other stakeholders.
- Maintaining an up-to-date database of prospects and donors on the LRC’s CRM system.
- Managing the funding application process, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
- Collaborating with internal teams to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities and to develop and submit high-quality concept notes, proposals, and project budgets.
- Working with the communications team to create fundraising materials.
- Keeping abreast of trends and best practices in fundraising and donor relations.
- Actively engaging in relevant networking events to build awareness of the LRC with key stakeholders, influencers, and the South African public more broadly.
Donor Relationship Management:
- Supporting internal teams with monitoring implementation of project activities, budget expenditure, and evaluating the impact of projects.
- Manage the donor reporting process – collaborating with internal teams to prepare high-quality reports and status updates, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and deadlines.
- Overseeing grant closeout procedures, ensuring timely completion, and assisting with grant audits (if required by funders).
- Enhancing relationships with funders and other stakeholders through meaningful engagements and events.
Internal reporting and accountability:
- Assist with the preparation of documents for internal and external communication which give oversight of the LRC projects (including our annual report)
- Identifying areas of organisational development to improve departmental and organizational efficiency.
- Other duties as assigned by the Development Manager.
Essential qualifications and experience:
- An appropriate tertiary qualification in related/relevant field.
Strong understanding and knowledge of the local and international donor landscape and philanthropy.
A fundraiser with 3-5 years of experience, or somebody from a sales/marketing background with transferrable skills, and a commitment to social change.
Experience in developing and writing proposals and arguments, business plans, budgets, concept papers, briefs, executive summaries, reporting, as well as coordinating multiple inputs from a variety of sources, and simultaneously managing a variety of relationships.
Civil society experience and knowledge of South Africa’s socio-political environment and how it impacts on social justice.
Skills and Attributes:
- Self-driven, proactive, determined, and resilient.
- Perfect written English (essential), together with the ability to think outside the box and write creatively and persuasively.
- Excellent interpersonal skills: A good communicator, articulate and confident in presenting to key decision-makers. The ability to pursue leads and develop funding relationships is key.
- Good research skills and the ability to identify opportunities.
- A commitment to social change and alignment with the values of the LRC.
- Highly organised with good administration, time and project management skills.
- Able to manage humdrum tasks like maintaining database records.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office.
- Experience with Salesforce CRM software is advantageous.
- A valid driver’s license, as travel for stakeholder engagement is required.
Closing Date: 6 December 2024
How to Apply: Please click the apply button below and fill out the form.
Job Type: 12 month contract
