Pro Bono Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships Volunteer

About The Stroke Association Of Kenya

The Stroke Association of Kenya (SAoK) is a survivor-led non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming stroke care in Kenya through advocacy, evidence-based rehabilitation, and systemic health system strengthening. Kenya carries one of the highest documented stroke burdens in Africa an estimated 7,738 DALYs lost per 100,000 person-years yet stroke remains critically underfunded and underserved.

SAoK's 2026–2031 Strategic Plan charts an ambitious course toward a Kenya where every person at risk of stroke is empowered to prevent it, every patient receives timely and quality care, and every survivor achieves optimal recovery and meaningful reintegration. Delivering on this vision requires building sustainable, diversified funding infrastructure and that work begins now.

We are seeking an exceptional pro bono professional to join us at this founding stage and help build the funding base that will power Kenya's stroke care transformation.

Every day in Kenya, families watch a loved one die from a stroke that was survivable because they didn't know the signs, because the ambulance arrived too late, because there was no rehabilitation service within 200 kilometres. SAoK exists to end that. We have the strategy, the evidence, the survivor leadership, and the determination. What we don't yet have is the funding infrastructure to turn vision into action. That is what we need you to build.

The Opportunity

This is a rare and meaningful engagement for a seasoned resource mobilisation professional who wishes to apply proven expertise in service of a high-impact public health cause. The Pro Bono Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships Volunteer will work directly with SAoK's leadership to build the organisation's fundraising function from the ground up identifying, cultivating, and securing funding from institutional donors, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, corporate partners, and individual philanthropists.

We are not asking you to manage a fundraising programme. We are asking you to build one from first principles, in one of the most compelling public health contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is not a role for someone who needs systems in place to operate. This is a role for someone who wants to be the person who built those systems and whose name will be on the founding chapter of SAoK's story.

Recognition & future consideration

SAoK is deeply grateful for the contribution of pro bono professionals and is committed to recognising this engagement appropriately. In acknowledgement of this service, SAoK will provide:

·  A formal letter of appointment on SAoK letterhead, signed by the Board Chairperson, with a defined scope of engagement and A formal LinkedIn Recommendation authored by the chairperson of the board endorsed by the Board of Directors, attesting to the scope, quality, and impact of the volunteer's contribution.

·  A Certificate of Voluntary Service and named attribution as a founding contributor in SAoK's donor communications, annual report, and stakeholder publications, with the volunteer's prior consent.

·  Priority consideration for a salaried, contract, or permanent appointment to a Resource Mobilisation role when SAoK achieves the financial capacity to engage paid staff, subject to organisational readiness and mutual agreement.

This engagement is strictly pro bono. No monetary compensation, stipend, or expense reimbursement is provided at this stage.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising Strategy & Pipeline Development

Design and implement a comprehensive resource mobilisation strategy aligned with SAoK's five-year strategic plan, spanning grants, institutional donors, corporate partnerships, and individual giving. Develop and maintain a live, prioritised funding pipeline tracking grant cycles, deadlines, relationship stages, and projected income. Conduct landscape analyses to identify opportunities from bilateral donors, multilateral agencies, foundations and pan-African health financing mechanisms.

2. Grant Writing & Proposal Development

Lead the research, writing, and submission of high-quality grant proposals and concept notes, ensuring compelling alignment between funder priorities and SAoK's programmatic impact. Develop and maintain a library of reusable narrative assets, results evidence, organisational credentials, and budget templates to enable rapid, responsive proposal development. Coordinate with programme leads to gather data, case studies, and outcome evidence for inclusion in funding applications.

3. Donor Relationship Management & Stewardship

Cultivate and manage relationships with prospective and existing donors, ensuring timely, personalised, and impact-centred engagement. Develop donor stewardship frameworks encompassing acknowledgement protocols, impact reporting schedules, and relationship journeys. Represent SAoK at relevant funding forums, health sector convenings, and partner networking events as appropriate.

4. Corporate Partnerships & CSR Engagement

Identify and approach corporates with aligned CSR mandates, healthcare interests, or ESG commitments for sponsorship, co-investment, or cause-marketing arrangements. Develop compelling partnership proposals and tiered partnership packages. Negotiate and formalise partnership agreements in collaboration with SAoK leadership.

5. Individual Giving & Philanthropic Engagement

Support the development of SAoK's individual giving programme, including online platforms, recurring donation campaigns, and major donor cultivation pathways. Assist in designing and launching digital fundraising campaigns aligned to key health moments, including World Stroke Day (29 October).

6. CRM, Data Management & Reporting

Establish and maintain a donor relationship management system to track all funder and partner interactions, proposal outcomes, and stewardship activities. Where Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) is in use or being implemented, manage and optimise the system to support fundraising operations and donor lifecycle management. Generate regular fundraising performance reports and dashboards for leadership and Board oversight.

7. Institutional Capacity Building

Document all fundraising processes, tools, and institutional knowledge to ensure organisational continuity and support future staff onboarding. Provide guidance and light-touch mentorship to SAoK's core team on resource mobilisation principles. Contribute to SAoK's organisational development by advising on governance, donor compliance, and due diligence readiness.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in fundraising, resource mobilisation, or development work within the non-profit, NGO, international development, or global health sectors.
• Proven track record of independently securing grants or funding from institutional donors, foundations, or bilateral/multilateral agencies, including end-to-end proposal development.
• Direct experience building a fundraising function, pipeline, or development department from an early or nascent organisational stage.
• Experience managing a diverse portfolio of funder and partner relationships through the full relationship lifecycle.
• Familiarity with East African, pan-African, or international donor ecosystems.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling, funder-facing narratives, proposals, and impact reports.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial information, assess funding landscapes, and produce pipeline dashboards.
• Strategic thinker able to operate effectively in a resource-constrained, early-stage organisation with a high degree of autonomy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and virtual collaboration tools (Google Workspace, Zoom, Microsoft Teams).

Personal Attributes

• Collaborative, mission-driven, and comfortable in a start-up, volunteer-led environment.
• Culturally competent, with an understanding of the Kenyan and East African non-profit context.
• Reliable, accountable, and consistently professional in all stakeholder-facing conduct.

Desirable

• Working knowledge of or hands-on experience with Salesforce for Nonprofits / Salesforce NPSP for CRM and donor management (added advantage).
• Familiarity with health sector funding streams, including global health donors, UHC financing mechanisms, or NCD-focused grant-making.
• Established networks within the Kenyan or East African philanthropic, development finance, or CSR communities.
• Experience working with survivor-led, grassroots, or health advocacy organisations.
• Knowledge of international NGO compliance standards (e.g. Core Humanitarian Standard, INGO Accountability Charter).

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline: Development Studies, International Relations, Public Health, Business Administration, Communications, or equivalent is required.
• A postgraduate qualification or professional fundraising certification (e.g. CFRE — Certified Fund Raising Executive; IoF Fundraising Certificate) is desirable but not required.

Engagement Terms

Days per week - 3 days (hybrid,  remote & periodic in-person, Nairobi).

Duration - Initial 2-year term, renewable by mutual agreement.

Review - Bi-annual performance and engagement review.

Supervision - SAoK Chairperson & Head of Programmes.

Compensation - Pro bono (no financial remuneration at this stage).

Expenses - Not reimbursed.

Safeguarding & Ethics

SAoK is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding and ethical conduct. All volunteers are required to uphold SAoK's Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy, and to disclose any conflicts of interest at the point of application and on an ongoing basis throughout the engagement.

The Stroke Association of Kenya is an equal opportunity organisation. Applications from persons with disabilities, stroke survivors, and individuals from underrepresented communities are warmly encouraged.

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