Background

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) is the first and only African-led climate change re-granting organisation on the continent. Through a combination of grant making, fellowships, transformational research, technical assistance, coalition building and advocacy the ACF seeks to support interventions at the nexus of climate change, and development that have the greatest potential to deliver long-term socio-economic transformation and inclusive development.

Purpose

As the first climate-focused re-granter on the continent, the ACF provides a mechanism through which philanthropies and donors can contribute to Africa’s efforts to address climate change. We work closely with a diverse range of funders to identify strategic opportunities to support our programmatic interventions on the continent. A core objective, underpinning all our work, is increasing philanthropic flows into the continent. The ACF is at a critical point in its growth and is looking to expand its partnerships and fundraising team.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Communications, and working with the ACF’s Programme Leads and Grants Unit, the Strategic Partnerships Programme Officer will play three critical roles:

1. Supporting the development and implementation of the ACF’s fundraising and growth strategy.
2. Managing funding relationships, proposal preparation and process management, reporting and donor support needs.
3. Monitoring trends in climate philanthropy, engaging with philanthropy networks in Africa and internationally and identifying strategic entry points for philanthropies and translating these into funding opportunities and pipelines

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Support the development of the Strategic Partnerships, Communications and Advocacy strategy, particularly focusing on diversified funding, attracting and retaining donors, strategic partnerships and long-term fundraising and growth.
• Support the ACF’s preparation of funding proposals and identify potential new funding opportunities.
• Support donor reporting processes and engagement together with relevant departments.
• Support the development of fundraising plans for identified areas of programme delivery and ACFs incubated hubs.
• Maintain and update a donor pipeline database, tracking proposals, prospects, and reporting deadlines.
• Support the drafting of briefing materials for leadership’s donor meetings and events.
• Coordinate with Finance and Grants teams to ensure donor compliance and timely reporting.
• Support the design of relationship activities, including donor inputs and alignment in newsletters, webinars, or events.
• Assist in scoping and cultivating new partnerships with corporates, foundations, and pooled funds.
• Contribute to risk assessment processes for new funding opportunities.
• Support ACF’s fiscal hosting services by coordinating donor/partner communications as needed.
• Support the development of initiatives to increase investments in the ACF’s high-impact programmes and projects
• Support the monitoring and tranche allocations, aligned to reporting, of all incoming grants.
• Support the development of knowledge management processes and systems that will create efficiency and ease within the department.
• Contribute to building the capacity of the ACF staff to engage with funders, and in philanthropy and donor forums,
• Contribute to the development of effective and diversified approaches to fundraising which anticipate future trends, including research and analysis of potential opportunities at a national, regional and international level,
• Represent the ACF in philanthropy and other funding and partnership forums.
• Monitor trends in climate and development philanthropic giving in Africa to identify gaps in and opportunities for philanthropic support in Africa

Requirements include but are not limited to:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Development Studies, Project Management or related field
• Five years of professional experience working with non-profit organisations or grant-making organisations, developing and managing proposals and developing fundraising strategies in the areas of social justice, climate change and or development
• Experience in non-profit organising or advocacy work, fundraising or stewardship, coalition projects or philanthropy is highly desirable
• Passion for social change, environmental, social justice, climate, or related issues
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently (both virtually and in-person) with minimal supervision
• Demonstrable experience working on development, climate and/social justice issues in Africa
• Experience in fundraising in African-based organisations
• Demonstrable understanding of donor audiences, proposal development and reporting
• Familiarity with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning methodologies and frameworks in the context of fundraising
• Proficiency in Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and digital collaboration tools (e.g. Zoom, MS Teams)
• Ability to relate to other staff and foster teamwork.
• Ability to organise multiple tasks and manage deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal communications skills and demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively.
• Detail-oriented and works with high levels of accuracy.
• Can do attitude.

Start date: Position available immediately

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable based on mutual agreement)

Location: ACF’s operational hub is in Cape Town, South Africa. Remote working will be considered with a preference for candidates based on the African continent.
Closing date: 27 November 2025

For further information about the ACF, visit www.africanclimatefoundation.org.

Should you not hear back from us by 28 February 2026, please consider your application to be unsuccessful.

The ACF strives to be an equitable organisation with a team which reflects the diversity of Africa.

In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), The ACF assures all applicants that any personal information provided during the recruitment process will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for recruitment purposes. Your privacy and data security are of paramount importance to us. By applying for this position, you consent to the collection, processing, and storage of your personal information for recruitment-related activities only. The ACF is committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the trust you place in us.