Background

Easy and Possible Organization (EPO) is a social, non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization. EPO is formally registered with the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) under Certificate No. 342/RGB/NGO/LP/07/2018 and published in the Official Gazette No. 25 of 24/06/2019.

In 2020, EPO established the Forum of African Youth Organizations (FAYO), an international and continental platform that brings together youth-focused organizations across Africa and abroad to promote collaboration, innovation, advocacy, and sustainable development.

EPO currently manages several affiliated initiatives, including:

• EPO Media House, composed of ISANO FM Community Radio, Public Places Community Media, and their digital platforms
• ISANO Vocational Training Center (VTC)
• ISANO Savings Groups
• ISANO ARTS PRODUCTION (Drama Team)

Vision

A community whereby everyone can explore, learn, and become self-reliant in socio-economic empowerment at national, regional, and international standards.

Mission

To improve community livelihoods by promoting access to capital and other support services that enable people to take advantage of economic opportunities.

Job Purpose

The Head of Partnerships, Innovation and Funds Mobilization will lead EPO’s efforts in building strategic partnerships, identifying innovative opportunities, mobilizing resources, and strengthening the organization’s sustainability and growth.

The position will also play a central strategic role in advancing FAYO as an international platform. The successful candidate will work closely with FAYO beneficiaries, member organizations, and existing partners, while expanding its network, strengthening its institutional positioning, increasing its international visibility, and supporting its long-term growth in line with its strategic plan.

This is a full-time position (not senior), requiring a dynamic professional capable of developing strong institutional relationships, leading fundraising initiatives, supporting program expansion, engaging continental and international stakeholders, and representing FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Partnerships Development and Management
   1. Identify, initiate, and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, NGOs, INGOs, donors, private sector actors, media institutions, embassies, foundations, and community-based organizations
   2. Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective partners of EPO and FAYO
   3. Work closely with FAYO beneficiaries, member organizations, and strategic partners to strengthen collaboration
   4. Support the expansion of FAYO’s network by identifying, engaging, and onboarding new partners and members across Africa and abroad
   5. Develop partnership strategies that support institutional growth, sustainability, and internationalization of FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives
   6. Lead follow-up and engagement with key continental and international stakeholders, including the African Union, African governments, ministries, youth institutions, development partners, and international organizations.
2. Funds Mobilization and Grant Acquisition
   1. Lead fundraising and resource mobilization efforts for EPO, FAYO, and affiliated initiatives
   2. Identify funding opportunities from local, regional, continental, and international donors, foundations, development agencies, and corporate partners
   3. Coordinate the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, grant applications, expressions of interest, and partnership pitches
   4. Support donor mapping and maintain an updated database of funding opportunities
   5. Develop and implement practical fundraising strategies for institutional sustainability
   6. Maintain donor communication and support donor reporting requirements
3. Innovation, International Positioning, and Strategic Growth
   1. Propose and develop innovative ideas, projects, and initiatives aligned with EPO and FAYO missions
   2. Support international growth and strategic expansion of FAYO in accordance with its strategic plan
   3. Contribute to positioning FAYO as a strong continental and international platform for youth collaboration, innovation, advocacy, and sustainable development
   4. Develop strategies to increase the international visibility and recognition of FAYO
   5. Identify opportunities to showcase FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives through regional and international forums, media, conferences, partnerships, and policy spaces
4. Proposal Development and Documentation
   1. Lead the drafting, coordination, and quality assurance of high-quality concept notes, project proposals, partnership briefs, and fundraising documents
   2. Ensure all proposals align with donor priorities and EPO’s strategic objectives
   3. Coordinate technical inputs from relevant teams during proposal development
   4. Review and strengthen organizational profiles, brochures, presentations, and visibility materials used for fundraising and partnership engagement
   5. Support preparation of reports, case studies, success stories, and other strategic documents
5. Stakeholder Engagement, Representation, and Visibility
   1. Serve as a key focal person for strategic external engagement for FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives
   2. Act as a spokesperson and institutional representative for FAYO, EPO, and affiliated entities
   3. Promote the image, visibility, and institutional credibility of FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives among stakeholders at national, regional, continental, and international levels
   4. Coordinate communication and collaboration with public institutions, development partners, private sector actors, diplomatic missions, and international organizations
   5. Represent the organization professionally in meetings, forums, strategic events, conferences, and international engagement spaces
6. Internal Coordination and Capacity Strengthening
   1. Work closely with management and program teams to align partnerships, fundraising, visibility, and international engagement efforts with organizational priorities
   2. Support internal coordination of strategic initiatives and resource mobilization plans
   3. Support staff capacity strengthening in proposal writing, donor engagement, partnership management, and institutional communication

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Public Administration, Economics, Communication, Marketing, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Master’s degree is an advantage
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience with government institutions and NGOs is a strong advantage
• Experience in proposal writing, grant acquisition, donor engagement, and partnership development
• Knowledge of youth programs, TVET initiatives, media projects, social enterprises, community development projects, or international platforms is an advantage

Language Requirements

Excellent command of Kinyarwanda, English, and French, both written and spoken

Knowledge of additional languages is an advantage

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and organizational skills
• Excellent partnership-building and networking skills
• Strong fundraising and donor engagement capacity
• Excellent proposal writing and presentation skills
• Strong negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools

Terms and Conditions

Full-time position, subject to a three-month probation period prior to confirmation

• Identify, initiate, and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, NGOs, INGOs, donors, private sector actors, media institutions, embassies, foundations, and community-based organizations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective partners of EPO and FAYO
• Work closely with FAYO beneficiaries, member organizations, and strategic partners to strengthen collaboration
• Support the expansion of FAYO’s network by identifying, engaging, and onboarding new partners and members across Africa and abroad
• Develop partnership strategies that support institutional growth, sustainability, and internationalization of FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives
• Lead follow-up and engagement with key continental and international stakeholders, including the African Union, African governments, ministries, youth institutions, development partners, and international organizations.
• Lead fundraising and resource mobilization efforts for EPO, FAYO, and affiliated initiatives
• Identify funding opportunities from local, regional, continental, and international donors, foundations, development agencies, and corporate partners
• Coordinate the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, grant applications, expressions of interest, and partnership pitches
• Support donor mapping and maintain an updated database of funding opportunities
• Develop and implement practical fundraising strategies for institutional sustainability
• Maintain donor communication and support donor reporting requirements
• Propose and develop innovative ideas, projects, and initiatives aligned with EPO and FAYO missions
• Support international growth and strategic expansion of FAYO in accordance with its strategic plan
• Contribute to positioning FAYO as a strong continental and international platform for youth collaboration, innovation, advocacy, and sustainable development
• Develop strategies to increase the international visibility and recognition of FAYO
• Identify opportunities to showcase FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives through regional and international forums, media, conferences, partnerships, and policy spaces
• Lead the drafting, coordination, and quality assurance of high-quality concept notes, project proposals, partnership briefs, and fundraising documents
• Ensure all proposals align with donor priorities and EPO’s strategic objectives
• Coordinate technical inputs from relevant teams during proposal development
• Review and strengthen organizational profiles, brochures, presentations, and visibility materials used for fundraising and partnership engagement
• Support preparation of reports, case studies, success stories, and other strategic documents
• Serve as a key focal person for strategic external engagement for FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives
• Act as a spokesperson and institutional representative for FAYO, EPO, and affiliated entities
• Promote the image, visibility, and institutional credibility of FAYO, EPO, and affiliated initiatives among stakeholders at national, regional, continental, and international levels
• Coordinate communication and collaboration with public institutions, development partners, private sector actors, diplomatic missions, and international organizations
• Represent the organization professionally in meetings, forums, strategic events, conferences, and international engagement spaces
• Work closely with management and program teams to align partnerships, fundraising, visibility, and international engagement efforts with organizational priorities
• Support internal coordination of strategic initiatives and resource mobilization plans
• Support staff capacity strengthening in proposal writing, donor engagement, partnership management, and institutional communication

• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and organizational skills
• Excellent partnership-building and networking skills
• Strong fundraising and donor engagement capacity
• Excellent proposal writing and presentation skills
• Strong negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Public Administration, Economics, Communication, Marketing, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Master’s degree is an advantage
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience with government institutions and NGOs is a strong advantage
• Experience in proposal writing, grant acquisition, donor engagement, and partnership development
• Knowledge of youth programs, TVET initiatives, media projects, social enterprises, community development projects, or international platforms is an advantage
• Excellent command of Kinyarwanda, English, and French, both written and spoken
• Knowledge of additional languages is an advantage