Job ID: 93894
Job Title: Fundraising & Development Specialist
Organisation: Self Help Africa Inc.
Contract Type: Full time
Location: New York or Boston (remote work from home)
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary: $60,000 – $75,000, commensurate with experience

About Self Help Africa

Self Help Africa is an international development organization dedicated to ending hunger and poverty in rural Africa. Operating in 7 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, we support and train smallholder farmers, promote climate resilience, implement water and sanitation measures, foster gender equality, and support enterprise development. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland and offices across the UK, US, and in each of the countries we work in, our work is deeply community-driven, sustainable, and rooted in long-term impact.

Position Overview

Self Help Africa USA is a small, high-impact team — and this role is central to everything we do. As Fundraising & Development Specialist, you will serve as the operational partner to the Executive Director, co-owning the full scope of the US development and fundraising program. From managing our donor pipeline and events calendar to supporting board engagement and foundation relationships, your work will directly fuel our mission across Sub-Saharan Africa.

We are looking for a proactive, detail-oriented professional with 2–4 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, event management, or a related field, who is ready to take ownership, work independently, and grow with the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Management

• Accurately track, process, and acknowledge donations using our CRM platform (GoFundMe Pro)
• Manage donor acknowledgment and gift processing as a core daily function
• Support donor engagement strategies, including thank-you outreach and pre- and post-event communications
• Conduct prospect research to identify and profile new individual donors, trusts, and foundations
• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with U.S.-based trusts and foundations (research focus, not grant writing)
• Support the Executive Director in managing the major donor pipeline and stewardship activities

Events Management

• Co-lead planning and execution of annual fundraising galas in NYC and Boston
• Manage event logistics: venue and vendor coordination, volunteer management, guest list tracking, briefing documents, and on-site support
• Support donor cultivation events, and other engagement activities throughout the year
• Required: attendance at all in-person SHA events in the NYC and Boston areas

Board & Executive Support

• Prepare materials, reports, and presentations for board meetings
• Support the Executive Director in board communications and follow-up
• Help coordinate board member participation in events and donor activities

Marketing & Communications

• Design marketing and campaign materials using Canva and Constant Contact
• Coordinate with the Dublin communications team to ensure social media scheduling, website updates, and event materials are aligned and on time.

Operations & Administration

• Manage administrative tasks including scheduling, inbox management, data entry, and record-keeping
• Maintain accurate records in GoFundMe Pro and Salesforce
• Participate in team meetings and provide general administrative support as needed

Knowledge & Experience (essential)

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, event management, communications, international development, or a related field
• 2–4 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, event management or a closely related role
• Experience working with or for an international development or global nonprofit organization 
• Prior experience in an administrative or operational support role in a face paced dynamic environment
• Strong event management experience, including end-to-end logistics coordination

Knowledge & Experience (preferred)

• Proficiency in GoFundMe Pro or similar CRM platforms, Constant Contact, Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, and Salesforce
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities independently
• Proactive self-starter who takes ownership and follows through
• Passion for social impact, international development, and Self Help Africa’s mission

Benefits

• Salary: $60,000 – $75,000, commensurate with experience
• Health insurance, 401(k), paid time off, and professional development courses
• Remote/work-from-home flexibility

How to Apply

Self Help Africa is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.

Qualified and interested candidates who meet the stated requirements must submit a completed Application Form (DOWNLOAD HERE) and e-mail this, along with an up to date Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter to [email protected].

The closing date for applications is Thursday, 30th April (5pm). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Important information: 

Self Help Africa is an international development charity and is committed to the safeguarding of all those who we come into contact with or through our work. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour relating to our work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and we are committed to promoting the welfare of children and the people we aim to assist with whom Self Help Africa engages. Self Help Africa expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and uphold the values and behaviours outlined in the Code of Conduct and Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Recruitment to all roles in Self Help Africa will include, and be subject to, a criminal records self-declaration, references, and other pre- employment checks, which may include police and qualifications checking. Self Help Africa is committed to the principles of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the applicant confirms her/his understanding of these recruitment procedures. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Self Help Africa is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.