Development Manager

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER at Jacaranda Health ABOUT THE ROLE Jacaranda Health is seeking a Development Manager to spearhead fundraising initiatives that will diversify and strengthen the organization's funding base. In this hands-on leadership position, you will take ownership of developing compelling funding proposals, executing a donor stewardship program that keeps partners engaged and informed, and maintaining a robust pipeline of funding opportunities. Your work will be instrumental in securing the resources necessary to support Jacaranda's ambitious growth trajectory and expansion across Africa. Location: Remote Reports to: Director of Global Communications & Development Contract Terms: One-year renewable contract Start Date: August 2026 ABOUT JACARANDA HEALTH Jacaranda Health transforms maternal and newborn health outcomes across Africa's public health systems. We combine innovative AI-driven technology with human-centered solutions, partnering directly with governments to deploy data-driven interventions at scale. Our flagship programs include PROMPTS, an AI-enabled platform supporting mothers throughout their healthcare journey, and MENTORS, an on-site training initiative that equips frontline nurses with critical lifesaving competencies. To date, our innovations have reached over 3 million women across more than 1,100 health facilities. As we scale operations throughout Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, we are recruiting dynamic leaders committed to transforming maternal health on the continent. Jacaranda Health is an equal opportunity employer. We actively welcome applications from all qualified candidates without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. ABOUT THE TEAM The Communications team is the engine of Jacaranda Health's visibility, strategic positioning, and resource mobilization. This team drives external communications, storytelling, donor engagement, fundraising, and brand development — all critical to building Jacaranda's impact and financial sustainability as we expand across the continent. Operating at the intersection of strategy, partnerships, and compelling narratives, the team translates complex maternal and newborn health interventions into stories that inspire foundations, multilateral institutions, bilateral donors, governments, and partners to invest in transformative health solutions. The team leads proposal development, donor relationship management, digital communications, organizational branding, and thought leadership initiatives that position Jacaranda as a leader in the maternal health space. WHAT YOU'LL DO Proposal Development and Writing Lead the creation and coordination of high-caliber proposals, concept notes, and expressions of interest tailored to diverse funding sources including foundations, bilateral agencies, and multilateral institutions. Collaborate with program and country teams to transform complex maternal health work into persuasive narratives and clear funding requests that unlock new revenue opportunities. Conduct strategic funder research and develop targeted positioning strategies that help Jacaranda expand its donor portfolio and reduce funding concentration. Donor Stewardship Build and implement a proactive stewardship strategy that maintains consistent funder engagement and visibility between formal reporting periods, strengthening long-term partnership continuity. Prepare senior leaders with comprehensive briefing materials and strategic talking points for all significant funder meetings and site visits. Oversee the complete reporting calendar across the entire funding portfolio, coordinating inputs from relevant teams, drafting narratives and data-driven reports, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery of all donor communications. Pipeline Management Own the RFP pipeline by tracking funding opportunities, determining which align with organizational priorities, and recommending appropriate investment of response resources. Maintain detailed records of funder relationships, proposal deadlines, and next steps across the complete portfolio. Partner with the team to strategically allocate business development time, balancing organizational ambition with realistic capacity as Jacaranda scales. WHO YOU ARE What You Bring Bachelor's degree in Communications, International Relations, Marketing, or a closely related field. A postgraduate qualification in Fundraising, Project Management, Business Development, or a related discipline is highly advantageous. Between four and seven years of demonstrated experience in fundraising, development, partnerships, or related fields. Skills and Competencies Exceptional writing ability with flexibility to adapt tone, format, and messaging across different funder types and proposal formats while maintaining clarity and polish. Strong organizational and project management capabilities, with proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines in a multifaceted, multi-funder operating environment. Solid understanding of donor compliance requirements, particularly as they relate to major foundations and large institutional funders. Working familiarity with CRM platforms and development operations systems. WHY JACARANDA HEALTH Mission-driven impact: Contribute directly to improving the lives of millions of mothers and newborns across Africa. Innovation at your core: Engage with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and technology applications in