Associate, Strategic Partnerships 

Location: Dakar, Senegal; Delhi, India; Lusaka, Zambia; Manila, Philippines; Nairobi, Kenya; or Rabat, Morocco

The Strategic Partnerships Associate will report directly to the Strategic Partnerships Officer and liaise with the Director of Strategic Partnerships. The Associate’s work will optimize IDinsight’s efforts to generate resources for high-impact projects across IDinsight’s geographies of operation, build brand awareness and cultivate connectivity within our community, and strengthen organizational systems for grant management and due diligence research.

About IDinsight

We amplify social impact by partnering with leaders to develop tailored solutions. Our mission is to use data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty worldwide.

IDinsight is a mission-driven global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps global development leaders maximize their social impact. We tailor a wide range of data and evidence tools, including randomized evaluations and machine learning, to help decision-makers design effective programs and rigorously test what works to support communities. We work with governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and innovative non-profit organizations in Asia and Africa. Our work spans a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, education, health, governance, sanitation, financial inclusion, and other areas.

We have expertise in a variety of rigorous approaches and methodologies, which we tailor to each client depending on their needs and constraints. To achieve a positive social impact we:

• Support clients’ use of data and evidence for routine and major decision-making.
• Inform funding decisions – toward high-impact initiatives and away from less effective programs or approaches.
• Create and share tools, knowledge, and ideas that expand the use of data and evidence for social good.

Our diverse, growing team of roughly 260 outstanding colleagues operates in nearly two dozen countries worldwide. Learn more about our mission and values at www.IDinsight.org.  

About the Associate, Strategic Partnerships role

The Strategic Partnerships Associate will join the Global Strategic Partnerships team to drive growth and innovation across our project portfolio. 

Through writing for external audiences, prospect research for new partnerships, brand building, internal systems administration, and organizational communications, this role will report directly to the Strategic Partnerships Officer and liaise with the Director of Strategic Partnerships. , to build IDinsight’s global brand, increase organizational visibility, generate resources for high-impact projects, and maintain seamless cross-functional operations. 

As part of a dynamic and evolving team, the Strategic Partnerships Associate role is designed to be flexible and adaptable, with responsibilities that may shift over time based on organizational needs. This role requires a high degree of agility, working closely and cross-functionally with multiple teams, particularly Fundraising and Strategic Communications, to advance IDinsight’s mission. The Associate will collaborate across diverse geographies, engaging with colleagues from different regions to support global initiatives. As a result, the role may occasionally involve early morning or late-night calls to accommodate various time zones, requiring a willingness to adapt to a dynamic work schedule.

Responsibilities

Partnership Development (40%)

• Proposal Writing: Assist in the development and preparation of compelling proposals for potential partnerships, ensuring alignment with IDinsight’s mission and strategic goals. Collaborate with internal teams to gather relevant data and insights to support proposal effectiveness.
• Due Diligence: Conduct thorough desk research to evaluate potential organizational risks associated with potential partnerships. Support IDinsight’s commitment to business ethics, safeguarding, and transparency by clearly communicating findings and their implications to relevant stakeholders.
• Prospect Research: Conduct detailed online research and prepare informative briefs to provide colleagues with insights into potential new partnerships. Make strategic recommendations for outreach initiatives based on research findings.

Community Building (20%)

• Client Development: Engage with current and potential clients by maintaining communication and fostering relationships that enhance collaboration and support project initiatives. Coordinate meetings and follow-ups to ensure client needs are met effectively.
• Internal and External Connectivity: Support preparations for regular meetings with Senior Leadership. Enhance efforts to engage IDinsight’s alumni network and support global connectivity by supporting engagements.
• Engagement Initiatives: Facilitate communication with partners and stakeholders by supporting the organization of events and meetings that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Sector Awareness (10%)

• Access to Information: Review relevant global development and philanthropy publications, compiling regular briefs for key senior leaders to keep them informed about potential and active funding partners and peer organizations.

Systems Strengthening and Maintenance (30%)

• Internal Systems Maintenance: Monitor and regularly update various platforms, live spreadsheets, CRM, and knowledge management systems to ensure accurate information related to project timelines, reporting deadlines, and deliverables.
• Administrative Support: Provide comprehensive administrative support by scheduling meetings, managing calendars, preparing meeting materials, and tracking action items to ensure accountability among team members. Facilitate communication within the team to enhance overall operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, with a preference for candidates who have studied relevant social sciences and humanities, including communications, global health, international education, community development, social innovation, public policy, international affairs, government, or international business.
• 1-3 years of professional experience in non-profit partnerships, fundraising, or similar settings (including internship experience)
• Strong communication skills, including writing (creative, academic, and/or professional), presenting, and public speaking
• Excellent attention to detail, execution, systems thinking, and organizational skills, with particular strengths in self-management and upward management 
• Excellent project management skills and experience working in complex and dynamic projects or organizations
• Commitment to IDinsight’s values, including service, professionalism, honesty, and humility
• Agility to work with people across and outside of the organization; willingness to be flexible and look for solutions in different professional contexts 

Desired

• Experience contributing to a mission-driven organization
• Demonstrated track record as a self-starter and leader, including comfort with ambiguity and dynamic environments and work streams
• Passion for global and organizational development, social impact, and business ethics
• Previous exposure to multiple geographies and workplaces with staff across multiple time zones
• Previous experience managing CRM systems
• Creativity to generate ideas and strengthen systems
• Proactive team player with a high degree of flexibility
• Comfortable working under a dual-supervisory structure, reporting to and collaborating with two managers or teams effectively

Professional development

Skill and career development are core to IDinsight's values and long-term impact strategy and have been noted as highlights of teammates’ experiences. IDinsighters receive significant mentorship from IDinsight leadership, and support from talented peers, and are given considerable autonomy when ready. They maintain professional development plans and are given "stretch" opportunities designed to strengthen a variety of skills. Real-time feedback is embedded in our culture, and formal structure enables maximum professional growth. Additionally, teammates have access to an annual professional development stipend that they are encouraged to utilize to explore their career interests and develop their skills.

Nuts & bolts

Location

This position can be based in IDinsight’s Dakar, Senegal, Delhi, India, Lusaka, Zambia, Manila, Philippines, Nairobi, Kenya, or Rabat, Morocco office(s). It is not eligible for remote work or work from the United States. 

Start date

This position starts on 1 January 2025. We expect a one-year minimum commitment, with regular professional development conversations and the potential for a long-term career at IDinsight.

Work Authorization

IDinsight is able to sponsor employment visas for all nationalities in these locations; however, we will prioritize candidates who do not require IDinsight to sponsor work authorization in the aforementioned countries. All candidates who are not currently located in our country offices listed above will be expected to relocate to their office locations at the onset of their employment. 

Compensation

Compensation and benefits are commensurate with the qualifications and experiences IDinsight is hiring for, and competitive within the global development sector. We are especially proud of the people-focused benefits we offer including comprehensive international health insurance, including mental health coverage; paid vacation, sick, and parental leave; relocation benefits; a travel stipend; technology and work-from-home stipends; a professional development budget; and more.

Please note that, as a non-profit, we are unable to provide compensation similar to leading private sector organizations. 

How to apply

Please click the "Apply for this job online" button at the top right. Applications are due on December 13, 2024. The application asks various questions in order for us to get to know you and requires a CV and cover letter. 

Please ensure that your CV includes relevant professional and personal experience as well as details on academic qualifications. CVs can range from one to two pages. Please note, that headshot photographs, parental details, birth dates, marital status, and other personal information not relevant to the application do not need to be included in your CV. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to use your cover letter to highlight why you want to work for IDinsight specifically, and what has prepared you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. A customized cover letter is an important part of IDinsight’s recruiting process as it allows us to understand your motivations for the position, relevant skills, and clarity of writing.

More information, including details on IDinsight’s hiring process and frequently asked questions, can be found online at IDinsight Careers. Any questions should be directed to careers@IDinsight.org. 

IDinsight’s commitment to reducing power asymmetries

IDinsight is committed to reducing power asymmetries in the social sector. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion reflects our understanding of the need for the sector to abandon unhealthy practices of the past. We wish to be part of a new generation of international NGOs who are honest about this history and transparent about our role in the present. Our commitment is also aligned with the impact of our work. 

We seek a workforce that is inclusive of a variety of perspectives that will help us refine and improve our methods and relationships, and strengthen the services we provide our clients and their communities or constituencies. The following commitments represent our vision for the IDinsight team:

1. IDinsight will have greater representation from the populations with whom we work and the clients we serve.
2. IDinsight will have greater representation from the countries in which we work.
3. Across all countries in which we recruit, we will seek greater representation from historically excluded communities.
4. IDinsight will foster an inclusive work culture that empowers a diverse team to do their best work.

IDinsight is committed to non-discrimination in our recruitment, employment practices, and organizational culture, regardless of people’s age, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable law.