Director of Partnerships and Fundraising – Action For Ocean (AFO

Job Description

Action For Ocean (AFO) is a marine conservation organization focused on promoting the
health and resilience of ocean ecosystems alongside the wellbeing of coastal communities.
Across Tanzania, many people depend on the sea for their food, income, and identity. For
conservation to be meaningful and lasting, it must recognize and respond to this connection.
AFO integrates sustainable livelihood activities into its conservation work as a way to reduce
pressure on marine resources and encourage long-term stewardship. Supporting communities
with viable economic alternatives helps foster local ownership of conservation goals and
strengthens their capacity to adapt to environmental challenges.

ROLE PURPOSE
Lead the execution of AFO’s existing fundraising strategy and established pipeline, turning
qualified opportunities into signed funding commitments, cash received, and high-value
partnerships. The Director will lead AFO’s resource mobilisation effort in support of its
approximately US$16 million five-year funding ambition. This is a fundraising and deal-closing
role, not a strategy-writing role.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
● Raise and secure resources: Own annual fundraising delivery targets; progress AFO’s
existing pipeline from cultivation through ask, negotiation, signed agreement and
disbursement. Personally lead and close major funding opportunities.
● Build donor relationships: Cultivate and steward foundations, individuals, family offices,
companies and institutional funders; secure new, renewed, unrestricted and multi-year
support. Activate US philanthropy opportunities through AFO’s Myriad USA giving
mechanism.
● Convert partnerships into results: Lead strategic engagement and negotiate
partnerships that bring finance, technical capabilities, influence or access—not
agreements without tangible outputs.
● Lead fundraising execution: Direct and coach the Business Development and
Fundraising Manager; prioritise proposals and investments of staff time, and work with
programme, Finance and Communications teams to deliver strong, costed funding
requests.
● Manage funding intelligence: Maintain a disciplined pipeline with named owners,
stages, decision dates and next actions; provide monthly forecasts distinguishing
prospects, proposals, signed commitments and cash receipts.

● Protect quality and reputation: Negotiate appropriate cost recovery, delivery
commitments and reporting terms; prioritise funders aligned with AFO’s community-led
conservation model and long-term sustainability.
● Enable executive and board fundraising: Prepare and involve the Executive Director and
Board in high-level tasks and relationship stewardship; ensure reliable follow-up after
every engagement.

HOW SUCCESS WILL BE MEASURED
● Annual value of new signed funding agreements and cash received versus approved
targets; progress toward AFO’s five-year mobilisation goal.
● Conversion of priority pipeline opportunities; size and quality of multi-year and flexible
funding secured; number and value of new major donors.
● Donor renewal and retention, strategic partnership value, pipeline forecast accuracy
and timely execution of agreed next steps.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND DEMONSTRATED TRACK RECORD
● At least 8 years in fundraising, philanthropy, strategic partnerships or business
development, including senior responsibility for revenue/resource mobilisation.
● Verifiable history of personally leading or closing significant grants, major gifts,
sponsorships or partnership funding. Must state amounts secured, funder types, dates
and specific personal role; candidates who only supported proposal administration do
not meet this requirement.
● Excellent senior-level relationship building, donor pitching, negotiation, financial
judgement, persuasive writing and management skills.
● Experience with international philanthropy or conservation/development funding; ability
to manage cross-functional teams and engage funders globally.

APPLICATION
To apply for this position, please complete the application form using the link below. You will
be required to upload your cover letter and CV, and provide contact details for two
professional referees.