Job Title: Business Development Associate
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Organisation: Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI)
Job Type: Full Time
Starting: March 2025
Closing Date: January 31st 2025
Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is a non-profit design and community development organisation that collaborates with communities to improve their physical, economic, and social quality of life. Our work spans various regions, focusing on participatory design and holistic development.
Job Description
We seek a highly organized, detail-oriented, and experienced professional to coordinate our East African business development. The BD Associate will identify and pursue funding opportunities, coordinate proposal development processes with the programmes team, and ensure high-quality, factual written outputs. The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of urban development, the built environment, the design process, social justice, climate change, and/or informal settlements in the Kenyan and East African context. Preference will be given to Kenyan nationals with relevant expertise.
Key Responsibilities
Proposal Development:
- Research and identify funding opportunities from donors, development agencies, and philanthropic organizations.
- Lead the development of high-quality proposals, concept notes, and grant applications, incorporating insights from KDI’s work in urban development, the built environment, and climate resilience.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure technical and programmatic accuracy in proposals.
Grant and Donor Management:
- Maintain a comprehensive database of funding opportunities and submission deadlines.
- Track and manage donor relationships, ensuring timely follow-ups and compliance with grant requirements.
Coordination and Communication:
- Act as a central point of contact for business development processes, engaging stakeholders across KDI teams (design, research, and implementation).
- Facilitate internal and external meetings to align teams on funding priorities and proposal strategies.
Writing and Reporting:
- Draft, edit, and finalize a variety of written materials, including proposals, donor reports, and pitch decks.
- Articulate KDI’s mission and impact clearly, ensuring alignment with donor priorities and social justice principles.
Strategic Funding Alignment
- Analyze funding trends and donor priorities to align KDI’s funding strategies with long-term organizational goals
Partnership Building
- Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with other organizations to co-develop funding opportunities or joint projects.
Qualifications and Skills
- Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills, with a persuasive and clear style.
- Knowledge of Kenyan social justice and urban issues, informal settlements, urban climate resilience, and/or the processes of co-design and construction.
- Experience in business development, grant writing, and/or proposal coordination, preferably within urban development or social justice-focused organizations.
- Familiarity with Kenya’s development context and donor networks is highly desirable.
- Bachelor’s degree in development studies, built environment, business administration, or a related field or equivalent relevant experience; a Master’s degree is an advantage.
- Kenyan nationality preferred.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified applicants should submit their applications via this form no later than January 31st, 2025. Send an electronic copy of your motivational cover letter, CV, and three (3) references with subject heading “BD Associate: <Your Name>”
KDI is a multi-ethnic, inclusive, anti-racist organisation that reflects the countries and communities in which we work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, disability, marital status or medical condition.
KDI Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or offer stages. We strongly advise applicants to be vigilant and cautious of fraudulent job offers or solicitations of money claiming to be from KDI.If you encounter any such incidents or suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately by emailing us at mailkenya@kounkuey.org.
KDI is committed to transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity in its recruitment processes.