Grow Great - Strategic Partnerships and Fundraising Lead

Strategic Partnerships and Fundraising Lead

Contract - 12 months

April 24, 2026

Grow Great is a national campaign aimed at galvanising South Africa towards a commitment to a stunting-free generation by 2030.

Stunting is a critical social justice issue associated with lifelong cognitive impairment, reduced educational and employment outcomes, increased risk of chronic disease, and intergenerational poverty.

Launched in 2018, Grow Great works to mobilise all of South African society to support early childhood development and end stunting. We do this through:

• Data-driven advocacy and systems change
• Strategic communications and public engagement
• Free mom and baby classes for parents
• Capacity building for community health workers

Our vision is a future where no child is denied the opportunity to reach their full potential due to poor nutrition and early development in the first 1 000 days of life.

Grow Great is seeking a results-driven Strategic Partnerships & Fundraising Lead to drive new funding growth, strengthen funder relationships, and improve how the organisation positions and packages its work for investment.

This role is focused on delivering funding in year one, while building the core materials, partnerships, and pipeline discipline needed to sustain and grow income beyond 2027.

The successful candidate will combine strong fundraising capability with the ability to translate programme impact into compelling, fundable opportunities, particularly within the South African corporate and foundation landscape.

• A relevant degree in a related field
• Minimum 5 - 8 years' experience in fundraising, partnerships, or resource mobilisation
• Proven track record of securing funding from corporates, foundations, or institutional donors
• Strong experience in proposal writing and donor communications
• Ability to translate programme impact into clear, compelling funding propositions
• Experience managing funder pipelines and relationships
• Understanding of the South African corporate funding and B BBEE/CSI landscape
• Strong coordination skills, with the ability to work across multiple internal stakeholders
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple opportunities and deadlines

Success will be defined by the ability to:

• Secure new funding, particularly multi-year and flexible/core funding
• Build and actively manage a credible, high-quality funding pipeline
• Strengthen Grow Great's external positioning and donor facing materials
• Improve corporate readiness and competitiveness in the South African market
• Establish practical, lightweight pipeline discipline and visibility

Preferred Skills and Competencies

We are looking for:

• A strong alignment with Grow Great's vision and mission
• A commitment to social justice and equity
• High levels of initiative, ownership, and accountability
• Strong communication and relationship building skills

• Identify, pursue and secure new funding opportunities, with a focus on multi-year and flexible/core funding
• Build and actively manage a high-quality funding pipeline, ensuring consistent progression from prospecting to closing
• Develop compelling donor-facing materials, including pitch decks, proposals, and case for support documents
• Strengthen Grow Great's corporate readiness and B BBEE positioning to unlock corporate funding
• Lead and coordinate end-to-end proposal development, working across programme, finance and leadership teams
• Steward relationships with existing funders to support renewal and growth of funding

Grow Great is an incubated project of the DG Murray Trust. DGMT is a public innovator committed to developing South Africa's potential through strategic investment.

Grow Great Campaign is an equal opportunity employer.

We offer a market related salary (commensurate with experience) and an opportunity to contribute to meaningful national impact.

Please send a 1 page motivation letter and CV by 24 April 2026 by clicking here . You will be directed to our recruitment portal. Scroll to the bottom, click apply, complete the form and upload the required documents.

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