Senior Associate - Fundraising & Communications

Senior Associate

• Fundraising & Communications Position: Senior Associate
• Fundraising & Communications Location: Remote, preferably based in Kenya or India Work Authorization: Candidates must have valid work authorization for where they are based Reports to: Director of Operations, Nurture. First Contract Type: Full-time About GDI The Global Development Incubator, Inc. (GDI Africa) is a non-profit organization independently incorporated in Kenya in April 2017 and legally registered under Kenya's Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Act. GDI Africa is governed by a locally constituted Board and directly employs over fifty staff across the country and the African region. GDI is renowned for launching and operationalizing initiatives aimed at systemic and scaled change. GDI's mission is to bring together ideas, leaders, and capital to build and scale the next generation of social solutions. More on GDI's approach and work can be found at: www.gdiafrica.org About Nurture. First Nurture. First strengthens the systems that support Home-Based Childcare (HBCC) providers — locally and globally — so the world's youngest children can thrive in quality, nurturing childcare settings. We partner with governments, funders, and communities to design and scale policies and practices that uplift HBCC providers and transform early childhood outcomes. Our work operates at two interconnected levels: In-country systems change: We partner with governments, funders, and communities to design and scale policies and practices that uplift HBCC providers and transform early childhood outcomes. Currently operating in Kenya as our first country of focus, we plan to expand to additional countries over the next decade. Global movement-building: Alongside our country-level work, we are building a Global HBCC Alliance with partner organizations to elevate the visibility of home-based childcare worldwide, share evidence and best practices, and accelerate adoption of supportive policies across contexts. Nurture. First is currently incubated as an initiative of GDI and is in the process of independent registration, expected to be completed in late 2026. Role overview Nurture. First is in an active narrative-building phase: positioning HBCC as a priority, establishing its distinct voice in the HBCC and systems-change space, growing its funder base, and building the Global HBCC Alliance's public profile. The Communications & Fundraising Senior Associate will contribute to the day-to-day execution of this work, shaping how Nurture. First tells its story and engaging funders with increasing autonomy and a growing role in setting team-level communications and driving fundraising priorities. This role reports to the Director of Operations for management and accountability, but is directly responsive to the priorities of the Executive, Programs, Learning, and Alliance teams, whose work generates the evidence, stories, and relationships this role turns into external-facing content and funder engagement. Strategic direction, organizational positioning, and major funding decisions remain with Nurture. First leadership and relevant strategic advisers. Within that direction, the Senior Associate is expected to identify communications and fundraising opportunities proactively, shape how Nurture. First's narrative is told across channels, and manage the systems and high-quality outputs that keep fundraising and external engagement on track; not simply execute a fixed brief.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fundraising and Funder Engagement (Core) This is the anchor of the role, directly supporting active fundraising priorities and funder engagement, in close collaboration with the CEO. Manage Nurture. First’s funder pipeline, directory, engagement history, and fundraising calendar. Lead the development of proposals, concept notes, expressions of interest, renewal requests, and other fundraising materials. Conduct funder research, prepare funder meeting materials, including briefing notes, talking points, one-pagers, and presentations. Coordinate and produce narrative funder reports, progress updates, and impact summaries, working with Programs, Finance, M&E, and Alliance teams. Monitor funding opportunities and proactively flag those aligned with Nurture. First’s priorities. Track funder actions, agreements, reporting requirements, grant expenditure deadlines, and renewal milestones to ensure timely follow-up. Maintain a library of up-to-date organizational information, evidence, case studies, and standard proposal content. Support the development and stewardship of funder and partner relationships, including targeted outreach, introductions, events, and other engagement opportunities.
2. Narrative, Content, Storytelling and Advocacy (Core) Given Nurture. First's current narrative-building priority, this role owns the translation of program evidence and strategy into a consistent public voice. Translate Nurture. First’s strategy, evidence, and core messages into clear and compelling communications across channels. Work with Programs, Learning, and Alliance teams to identify and package evidence, insights, and stories for external audiences. Develop and manage content for social media, the website, newsletters, campaigns, and other external platforms. Develop organizational decks, fact sheets, case studies, advocacy materials, policy briefs, knowledge products, conference materials, and other publications. Develop provider and human-interest stories in line with appropriate consent, safeguarding, and ethical standards. Identify opportunities to turn program evidence, organizational milestones, and priority engagements into compelling communications and advocacy content. Manage the communications calendar and ensure consistent messaging, tone, and visual identity. Monitor audience and digital engagement and use insights to strengthen content and communications.
3. Communications Systems, Capacity and Coordination Manage Nurture. First’s website and digital presence, ensuring content remains accurate, current, and aligned with organizational priorities. Maintain core communications assets, templates, brand guidelines, organizational materials, and an organized repository of source content. Coordinate external designers, photographers, videographers, and other communications suppliers as required. Support implementation of Nurture. First’s internal communications capacity-building plan through practical tools, templates, and guidance. Support the Nurture. First team with presentations, speaking engagements, external communications, and other representation opportunities. Maintain communications and fundraising workplans, calendars, trackers, and records. Coordinate inputs, reviews, approvals, and production timelines across internal teams and external suppliers. Track key fundraising and communications activities and use performance data and learning to strengthen approaches. Success Measures The fundraising pipeline and funder directory are current and serve as the team's single source of truth for funder status. Funder meeting materials and follow-up are consistently ready ahead of deadlines, with no dropped commitments. A recognizable, consistent Nurture. First narrative is visible across website, social, and funder-facing materials. Growing autonomy over time: by month six, this role independently identifies and proposes communications/fundraising opportunities rather than only executing assigned tasks.

Qualifications

and Experience Essential Bachelor’s degree in Communications, International Development, or a related field. 4–6 years of relevant experience in fundraising, communications, proposal development, grants, or business development, with increasing autonomy and responsibility. At least 3 years of experience raising grants from foundations, governments, and/or individual donors within the 4-6 years of overall experience.

Experience working in the nonprofit, development, or social impact sector. Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to analyze and translate complex ideas, program information, and evidence into clear, compelling narratives — in both written and visual formats, including decks and presentations — that inspire action.

Strong grant writing and reporting experience, including developing high-quality proposals, donor reports, and communications collateral that clearly articulate an organization’s purpose, impact, and value. Experience developing audio-visual and multimedia content, including content for digital platforms and social media channels.

Proficiency in key design and content creation tools, such as Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite. Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with funders, partners, and internal teams. Strong project coordination and deadline management skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.

Desirable Experience with institutional fundraising and/or foundation funding. Experience managing a donor/funder database or CRM. Experience in early childhood development, childcare, education, gender, or related fields. Experience with advocacy and policy communications. Familiarity with website CMS platforms, social media management tools, and basic digital analytics.