Development Officer

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 320,000 - 450,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Pension plan

25 days annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a Development Officer to drive fundraising and donor engagement for environmental conservation initiatives. The role focuses on cultivating donors, securing funding, and expanding development activities across the Western Cape.

You will manage donor relations, pursue grants and sponsorships, and collaborate with marketing to create impactful fundraising collateral while reporting progress to leadership.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of fundraising/development experience, preferably in non-profit in Western Cape.
• Proven success in securing donations and grants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with persuasive writing skills.
• Strong networking and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience with donor management software (Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master's degree is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising strategies to meet financial goals.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Manage a portfolio of existing donors with regular communication.
• Research and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants and sponsorships.
• Organize fundraising events, campaigns, and donor appeals in Cape Town.
• Prepare compelling grant proposals, reports, and donor communications.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor engagement

Communication

Networking

Donor management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (plus)

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent charity organization committed to environmental conservation and education in the Western Cape, is actively seeking a dedicated Development Officer. This crucial position will focus on cultivating relationships with donors, securing funding, and driving the organization's development initiatives to support its vital work in Cape Town and surrounding areas. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the sustainability and growth of our client's programs. If you are passionate about making a difference, possess excellent fundraising and interpersonal skills, and are eager to contribute to a meaningful cause, this opportunity in Western Cape is for you. We are looking for an individual with a strategic mindset and a proven track record in fundraising and donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective fundraising strategies to meet organizational financial goals.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Manage a portfolio of existing donors, ensuring regular communication and engagement.
• Research and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants and sponsorships.
• Organize and manage fundraising events, campaigns, and appeals in Cape Town .
• Prepare compelling grant proposals, reports, and donor communications.
• Maintain accurate donor records and manage the donor database.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop fundraising collateral.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and community partners.
• Provide regular updates on fundraising progress to the management team and board.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, development, or a related role, preferably within the non-profit sector in Western Cape.
• Proven success in securing significant donations and grants.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for persuasive writing.
• Strong networking, interpersonal, and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience with donor management software (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; Master's degree is a plus.
• Strategic thinking and planning capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in Cape Town.
• Passion for conservation and environmental causes.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within the Western Cape region.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary of R per annum, alongside excellent benefits including comprehensive medical and dental coverage, a generous pension plan, and 25 days of annual leave. You will have opportunities for professional growth and development within a supportive and mission-driven environment. The chance to work alongside dedicated professionals and contribute to impactful conservation efforts in the beautiful Western Cape is a unique advantage. Our client is committed to fostering a positive work culture, including regular team-building activities and professional development workshops designed to enhance employee skills and well-being. Join us in making a lasting difference.