Save the Children Program Development Manager Jobs 2027 present an excellent opportunity for experienced development professionals seeking to advance their careers with one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, this full-time position focuses on leading proposal development, strengthening donor partnerships, expanding funding opportunities, and supporting the implementation of Save the Children’s Country Strategic Plan.
If you have extensive experience in programme development, fundraising, donor engagement, and proposal management within the NGO or international development sector, this leadership role offers the opportunity to contribute to programs that improve the lives of children and vulnerable communities while working in a collaborative international environment.
About Save the Children
Save the Children is an international humanitarian and development organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights and improving their health, education, protection, and well-being worldwide. Through partnerships with governments, donors, communities, and civil society organizations, the organization delivers life-saving humanitarian assistance while supporting long-term sustainable development initiatives.
The Program Development Manager will play a key role in helping the Kenya Country Office secure funding and partnerships that support strategic priorities and maximize impact for children.
Position Overview
Position: Program Development Manager
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with field travel as required)
Contract Type: Full-time, National Position
Contract Duration: One Year
The successful candidate will support the Impact, Innovation and Influencing Director by leading proposal development processes, coordinating fundraising initiatives, strengthening donor relationships, and ensuring high-quality submissions to institutional donors and development partners.
Key Responsibilities
The Program Development Manager will lead and coordinate several strategic functions, including:
Fundraising Strategy
- Support implementation of fundraising plans aligned with the Country Strategic Plan.
- Monitor fundraising progress and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Help expand partnerships and funding opportunities.
Proposal Development
The successful candidate will:
- Lead proposal development from concept to submission.
- Coordinate technical specialists, finance, operations, MEAL, HR, security, supply chain, and awards teams.
- Develop proposal schedules and ensure timely submissions.
- Draft key proposal sections including organizational capability statements, country context, and programme experience.
- Support proposal budget development alongside finance teams.
- Facilitate proposal design workshops and lessons-learned sessions.
Donor Engagement
Responsibilities also include:
- Developing proactive donor engagement strategies.
- Supporting relationships with institutional donors, foundations, corporate partners, and development agencies.
- Coordinating domestic fundraising initiatives.
- Identifying and assessing new funding opportunities.
Knowledge Management
The manager will help strengthen organizational learning by:
- Maintaining proposal and donor information systems.
- Ensuring proposal documentation is properly archived.
- Supporting knowledge sharing across teams.
- Promoting continuous learning and improved proposal quality.
Humanitarian Response
During major emergencies, the role may involve supporting strategic resource mobilization and funding coordination for emergency response operations.
Qualifications
Applicants should possess:
- An advanced university degree (Master’s preferred) in:
- Development Studies
- International Relations
- Social Development
- Business Administration
- Or another related discipline
Candidates should also demonstrate significant professional experience in programme development, fundraising, proposal management, or international development.
Required Experience
Competitive applicants should have:
- 7–10 years of progressive experience in programme development or fundraising.
- Extensive experience developing high-value donor proposals.
- Strong knowledge of institutional donor funding mechanisms.
- Experience working within INGOs, NGOs, or nonprofit organizations.
- Proposal budgeting experience in collaboration with finance teams.
- Excellent proposal writing skills.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary proposal teams.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
- Experience engaging donors and external stakeholders.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
Skills That Will Strengthen Your Application
Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate:
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Project management
- Proposal coordination
- Stakeholder engagement
- Budget development
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Cultural awareness
These competencies are essential for managing complex proposal processes under tight deadlines while ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
Why Work at Save the Children?
Joining Save the Children offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful programs that improve children’s lives while developing your leadership career in international development.
Employees benefit from:
- Working with a globally respected humanitarian organization.
- Leading strategic fundraising and programme development initiatives.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary international teams.
- Contributing to child-focused development and humanitarian programmes.
- Building relationships with major international donors and partners.
- Supporting innovative, high-impact projects that create lasting change.
The organization also maintains a strong commitment to child safeguarding, staff wellbeing, diversity, equal opportunity, and professional integrity.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications before the advertised closing date through Save the Children’s official recruitment process.
Before applying:
- Tailor your CV to highlight proposal development and donor engagement experience.
- Demonstrate measurable fundraising achievements.
- Showcase leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
- Highlight experience working with institutional donors and development partners.
- Emphasize strategic planning, budget management, and proposal writing expertise.
Final Thoughts
The Save the Children Program Development Manager Job 2027 is an excellent opportunity for experienced development professionals who want to lead high-value fundraising initiatives while supporting programmes that improve children’s lives. With responsibilities spanning proposal development, donor engagement, knowledge management, and strategic planning, the role offers both professional growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact through one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations.
If you have a strong background in international development, proposal management, and donor relations, this position provides an opportunity to contribute to sustainable development and humanitarian outcomes while advancing your career in the nonprofit sector.
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