Senior Director of Development

ABOUT SEED GLOBAL HEALTH

Seed Global Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening health systems by investing in the health workforce. Through deep partnerships with governments, academic institutions, and health facilities, we educate and train doctors, nurses, and midwives to deliver high-quality, person-centered care. 

Since our founding, Seed has supported the training of tens of thousands of health workers across Malawi, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. Our work is guided by a commitment to equity, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring that our efforts leave a lasting impact. By focusing on country-led solutions and shared learning, we empower health workers and communities to create healthier futures for all.

Position Summary

Seed is entering an exciting period of growth, as the changing global health landscape brings greater recognition of the importance of strong health workforces and of Seed's work alongside governments to build them.

The Senior Director of Development will lead a portfolio of institutional donor relationships, from cultivation through award and renewal, working alongside and with the support of an experienced Development team on major opportunities, including consortium bids and expansion into new countries. As a member of Seed's global leadership team and the Development leadership team, they will help shape Seed's fundraising strategy and advise Seed's Executive Team, Board, and Advisory Board. 

Based within the African continent, the Senior Director will work closely with Seed's country teams, government and implementing partners, and the growing number of African-led and regionally based funders. They will bring the experience to build trusted, long-term relationships with senior donors and partners. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Portfolio leadership 

• Lead a portfolio of foundation, corporate, and multilateral relationships from cultivation through award and renewal.
• Secure multi-year, six- and seven-figure investments in Seed's work.
  Build a strong pipeline of new partners, including African-led, regional, and pooled funds.
• Keep portfolio data, forecasts, and pipeline reporting accurate and current. 

Proposals and partnerships 

• Lead proposal development for major opportunities, working closely with program, finance, and country teams.
• Build and coordinate consortium partnerships, agreeing roles, scope, and budgets with partner organizations.
• Support Seed's growth into new countries by mapping funding landscapes and building early relationships with donors and partners. 

Working with country teams and partners 

• Partner closely with Seed's Country Directors and country teams on resource mobilization and in-country donor engagement, including donor visits.
• Support Seed's relationships with ministries of health and implementing partners, in close coordination with country teams.
• Represent Seed at donor meetings, regional convenings, and conferences. 

Strategy and team 

• Serve on Seed's global leadership team, and help set Seed's fundraising strategy as part of the Development leadership team.
• Advise Seed's Executive Team, Board, and Advisory Board on partnerships and fundraising.
  Work alongside and with the support of an experienced Development team, coordinating across portfolios on major opportunities.
• As the Development function grows, build and lead a team, with future opportunities to hire, manage, and mentor staff.
  Contribute to Development team systems, tools, and ways of working. 

Qualifications 

• 12–15 years of progressive experience in institutional fundraising or business development, ideally in global health or international development.
• Proven track record of securing multi-year, six- and seven-figure grants from foundations, corporations, or multilaterals.
• Experience leading senior donor relationships and complex proposals, including consortium bids.
• Strong understanding of the African health and development funding landscape, including regional and African-led funders.
• Excellent writing, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with sound judgment in multi-partner settings.
• Experience working closely with country teams and government partners.
  Comfortable working across time zones with a US- and Africa-based team;
• Willing to travel
  

About the role

• Type: Full time
• Work hours: 40 hours per week
• Location: Africa-based preferred (Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, or a regional hub such as Nairobi or Johannesburg)
• Reports to: Chief Partnerships Officer

Why join us 

• We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including universal health, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, professional development support, floating holidays, and even a day off for your birthday. 
• You’ll also have the opportunity to do meaningful work in a supportive culture surrounded by great people.
• We aim to attract, motivate, and retain high-performing people who are as committed to their growth as they are to our mission. 
• We aim to be a leader in equitable compensation and benefits practices among international NGOs in the countries we serve. 
• Our benefits ensure equitable access to healthcare for all full-time staff and their immediate families. 
• We are committed to fostering an environment where staff can grow and thrive through meaningful work, supportive leadership, and clear, sustainable expectations.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values 

OUR VISION  

is a just, equitable, and healthy world. 

 
OUR MISSION  

is to expand access to quality care and improve health outcomes for all.  

OUR VALUES 

Integrity & Accountability  

• At Seed, we prioritize integrity and accountability in all actions. Integrity involves making ethical choices based on respect and a commitment to continuous learning. Accountability ensures these choices are implemented justly. We foster trust and mutual respect through meaningful dialogue and advocacy.   

Authenticity & Open Communication  

• We value diverse voices and perspectives. We communicate with humility and honesty, navigating differences to find common ground. Authenticity allows us to show our true selves in a safe environment, fostering innovation and progress through open communication.   
   

Humanity & Respect  

• We adopt a human-centered approach, prioritizing the well-being and development of every individual and family. We lead with care and compassion, constantly asking, “What would this mean for the people we work with?” This people-centered mindset is central to our mission.   

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Seed Global Health is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, including without limitation on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Application window is open until 6 November 2026.