Overview
Donor Relations Officer Jobs in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa at Peace Parks Foundation
Title: Donor Relations Officer
Company: Peace Parks Foundation
Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Duration: Permanent
Reporting to: Public Funding Manager
Location: Stellenbosch. (remote arrangement negotiable depending on experience)
BACKGROUND
Founded in 1997 by President Nelson Mandela, HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and Dr. Anton Rupert, Peace Parks Foundation is a non-profit organisation pioneering conservation at scale across southern Africa.
Working through Transfrontier Conservation Areas that span national borders, Peace Parks reconnects ecosystems, strengthens local economies and helps secure the natural assets on which communities depend. Its holistic approach is built on three pillars: conservation at scale, community development and commercial sustainability, ensuring that protected areas deliver long-term ecological and economic value.
To date, Peace Parks has helped governments protect 775 000 km², co-manages eight parks where wildlife populations have rebounded fivefold, and supports more than 280 000 people annually through its interventions. With formal government mandates and strong community partnerships, Peace Parks offers a proven model for building resilience for both people and nature across southern Africa’s most significant landscapes.
The Foundation’s Vision 2050 is to secure 17 fully functional transboundary landscapes spanning 980 000 km², making it the world’s largest land-based conservation initiative.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this role is to increase and diversify funding from bilateral and multilateral donors to support the implementation of Peace Parks’ 2035 Strategy by:
- Identifying and pursuing funding opportunities aligned with strategic priorities based on desktop research related to public funding and global public policies and trends
- Expanding the organisation’s public funder base
- Leading the development of high-quality funding proposals and applications
- Maintaining and strengthening relationships with existing funders
- Producing clear, informative donor reports and communications
JOB PROFILE
You bring experience in conservation, climate change, and/or sustainable development and can demonstrate a strong interest in public funding. You are a confident networker and highly skilled writer who can translate on-the-ground conservation work into compelling narratives aligned with global biodiversity, climate, and development agendas. You understand the role of public funding within a broader fundraising portfolio and can navigate both its opportunities and compliance requirements. You are a self-starter and able to deliver high-quality outputs under deadlines. Organised and detail-oriented by nature, ensuring timely compliance across your donor portfolio and working collaboratively is what you do best and what will make you succeed in this role.
As part of the Peace Parks Fund Development team, you will:
- Be responsible for a portfolio of public funders and have in-depth knowledge of the funders and sectors they represent
- Coordinate donor engagement, proposal development and progress reporting within your portfolio
- Support cross-cutting team priorities as required
Your portfolio will be aligned with your experience and may become more specialised over time.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications and knowledge
- Degree (or equivalent) in natural or social sciences, or a related field
- Strong understanding of global biodiversity, climate change, and/or sustainable development issues.
Professional Experience
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in conservation, sustainable development, and/or climate change in developing countries
- Proven experience in fundraising and/or grant management, ideally with bilateral or multilateral donors
- Experience in proposal development, results frameworks, budget development, impact reporting, and portfolio management
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain long-term, values-driven partnerships
Skills And Competencies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English)
- Strong analytical, coordination, research, and quality assurance skills
- Ability to develop clear, persuasive narratives and highlight partnership value
- High attention to detail and strong quality control capability
- Ability to drive progress and deliver outputs independently
Other Requirements
- Willingness and ability to travel to remote areas as required
Advantageous
- Proficiency in using CRM systems (e.g., Peace Parks’ system)
- Experience in coordinating due diligence processes, including environmental and social safeguards
- Experience of working in consortia
- Experience working across southern Africa
- Portfolio or project management experience
- Advanced computer skills, including Excel and CRM systems
- Experience creating dashboards or infographics (e.g., Power BI)
The role is primarily desk-based, with opportunities to visit project sites and participate in donor field visits (approximately 1-2 trips per year). A hybrid working model applies to Stellenbosch/Cape Town-based staff.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter detailing their interest in and suitability for the position and a Curriculum Vitae, with full address, telephone number, and email address. These should be submitted by 19 June 2025.
The company offers a competitive cost-to-company salary package, which includes contributions to a retirement fund and medical aid, ensuring holistic support for your financial and personal well-being.
Please apply online.
We appreciate the time and effort taken by all applicants in expressing their interest in this role. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are only able to contact candidates who are selected for further consideration. If you do not hear from us within 3 weeks, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We encourage you to apply for future opportunities that match your skills and experience.
#MS
