SOWC Manager, Fundraising and Operations

ABOUT ALU

The African Leadership University (ALU) is committed to developing ethical, entrepreneurial leaders for Africa. Through unique educational models, ALU aims to equip students with the skills needed to make a significant impact in their communities and across the continent.

HOW WE WORK

As a high-growth start-up, the ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ALU SCHOOL OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

The ALU School of Wildlife Conservation promotes conservation as an African growth sector by developing, equipping and informing entrepreneurial conservation leaders. Our vision is to be the catalyst for a more inclusive conservation sector that is equitably led by Africans, financially sustainable and creates value for African economic development (at all levels).

The team at ALU’s School of Wildlife Conservation (SOWC) is a close-knit, dynamic group. Although each member has designated responsibilities, there is a strong emphasis on collaboration and mutual support across various school functions. 

The team focuses on:

• Educational Support and Conservation Ecosystem: Providing educational resources, guest speakers, conservation boot camps, internships, and centres of excellence for students pursuing a planetary health pathway.
• Conservation Specialisation in MBA: Facilitating conservation electives, capstone projects, and guest speaker engagements within ALU’s MBA program.
• Professional Development for the Conservation Sector: Delivering both general and customised professional development courses for African conservation organisations.
• Research and Thought Leadership in the Wildlife Economy: Leading research and advocacy, including the Wildlife Economy Investment Index for Africa.
• Operational Coordination: Overseeing logistics, financials, partnerships, and all marketing and PR efforts, including the SOWC website.
• Annual Business of Conservation Conference (BCC): Organising and executing this flagship conference in Kigali, Rwanda, in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Manager, Fundraising and Operations will work closely with the Executive Director, research and academic leads, and ALU’s Partnerships and Fundraising team. This role is critical in driving the financial and operational success of SOWC, with responsibilities focused on:

• Fundraising: Leading philanthropic efforts, managing grant processes, and implementing donor reporting to support SOWC’s growth.
• Impact Evaluation: Developing systems to assess and report SOWC’s impact.
• Operational Oversight: With the support of a Senior Associate, overseeing departmental operations, including budget management, alumni engagement, and internship and scholarship program administration.
• Network and Partnership Development: Assisting in building and managing SOWC’s strategic partnerships.
• Marketing and Communications: Leading marketing initiatives, particularly around SOWC’s programs and the BCC.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising

• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Research Director, and ALU’s Fundraising team to secure philanthropic funding.
• Identify potential donors, write proposals, and manage grants.
• Coordinate with SOWC’s PR and Communications Associate to create impactful reports for brand-building and to support funding efforts.

Operations

• Oversee daily operations, including management of internship and scholarship programs.
• Support logistical needs for both accredited and non-accredited educational programs.
• Manage SOWC’s digital presence, including its website and social media.
• Promote SOWC’s events, particularly the BCC, through targeted marketing initiatives.
• Coordinate with ALU’s Finance team to monitor and allocate funds accurately.
• Establish robust operational systems to support SOWC’s expansion and brand-building goals.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 5+ years of experience with at least 3 years experience  in a similar role preferably in tertiary education or a customer-service-oriented role in education.
• Experience in the following areas is advantageous:
• Marketing and communications.
• Monitoring and impact measurement.
• Working within a higher education institution in Africa.

Core Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High comfort level with a self-directed culture and ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Open-mindedness and eagerness to learn from diverse perspectives.
• Strong project management skills,

This role is based on ALU’s Kigali campus in Rwanda and reports to the Executive Director of the School of Wildlife Conservation.