Independent Contractor – Resource Mobilisation at South African National Parks (SANParks)

Requirements

• Be in possession of at least a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in a relevant field (Business Administration, Sustainable Finance, Financial Management).
• At least 7-10 years of experience in resource mobilisation and partnerships, fundraising, or donor relations, particularly in the conservation or nonprofit sectors.
• Extensive knowledge and preferably, experience in Sustainable Finance and leveraging it in the resource mobilisation and partnership environment.
• Excellent understanding of the conservation, environmental, and tourism sector and industry context, inclusive of Socio-Economic Transformation and the Biodiversity Economy Strategy.
• Excellent understanding of vehicles available to public sector institutions to ensure good governance and reporting of resources mobilised.
• Familiarity with potential local and international donors/partners, including multilateral agencies, foundations, and private sector partners.Understanding of donor management systems, fundraising tools, environmental stewardship, Corporate Social Investment/ Responsibility, public-private partnerships, fundraising, etc.
• Knowledge of policy management, compliance, and corporate governance.
• Strong business analytics, project management, and process/system analysis skills.
• Ability to integrate systems thinking for operational efficiency.
• Leadership skills to align resource mobilisation with organisational goals.
• Creative and innovative in fundraising and donor engagement.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and research abilities.
• Cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills in engaging stakeholders.
• Commitment to ethical, transparent, and integrity-driven fundraising.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage donors at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in English (written and verbal), with strong presentation and report writing skills.

Responsibilities

Resource Mobilisation Strategy Development

• Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive resource mobilisation strategy that aligns with SANParks’ Vision 2040 and the Financial Sustainability Strategy,
• Ensure the strategy supports key initiatives like the Mega Living Landscapes (and related durable finance model) and core conservation and tourism programs, with a focus on sustainable funding.

Donor and Partner Identification, Engagement, and Stewardship:

• Identify, engage, and cultivate relationships with a diverse range of national and international donors, including governments, foundations, corporations, high-net-worth individuals, and strategic partners.
• Build to maintain long-term partnerships with key stakeholders such as conservation organisations, the private sector, and philanthropic foundations to enhance SANParks’ funding base.
• Lead the development of funding proposals, ensuring compliance with donor expectations, and fostering strong ongoing relationships.
• Implement a donor stewardship program to ensure sustained engagement, renew donor support, and develop tailored recognition programs.

Fundraising Instruments and Innovative Funding Models:

• Lead the design and implementation of innovative fundraising mechanisms, such as the establishment of a Foundation or Endowment Fund, to secure long-term, sustainable funding.
• Explore, introduce, and develop funding models like sustainable finance, green bonds, carbon offset, and bonds (such as the rhino bond), etc.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide mentorship and training to SANParks staff on resource mobilisation best practices, including donor relations, proposal writing, and fundraising techniques.
• Organise workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions to strengthen internal fundraising capacity.

Fundraising Campaigns and Events:

• Lead or advise on the organisation of fundraising campaigns and events, leveraging both traditional and digital platforms to maximise outreach and donor engagement.
• Develop and implement global online fundraising campaigns to engage new audiences and secure donations.

Market Research, Trend Analysis, and Impact Reporting:

• Stay informed about global trends in philanthropy, conservation funding, and Corporate Social Investment/Responsibility, to adjust and enhance fundraising strategies.
• Develop systems to measure the impact of fundraising efforts, ensuring transparent and regular reporting to donors on the effective use of funds and the impact of their contributions.

Compliance and Legal Advisory:

• Ensure all fundraising activities comply with local and international laws, ethical standards, and SANParks’ governance frameworks.
• Work with SANParks’ legal team to ensure donor agreements and contracts adhere to legal and governance requirements.