Partnership Officer, Non-Profit & Social Impact

Ikamva Labantu is an award winning non-profit and community-led organisation that for over 65 years has worked across Cape Town’s townships towards a more just society where human rights can be fully actualised. We empower local change-makers in our under resourced communities through ECD training, safe after-school spaces for youth, and dignified elder support — so that local people lead and sustain the change in their own neighborhoods.

The Partnership Officer plays a key role in the organisation’s Local Communications and Fundraising department, assisting the Senior Partnership lead with establishing and nurturing relationships with new corporate, government, foundation and high-net worth individuals.

You will join a dynamic team that is looking for innovative ways to fundraise and steward donors. Your role will include researching funding prospects and unexplored opportunities to connect with potential donors, securing meetings, assisting with running events, maintaining a library of organization documents and content for use in applications, drafting proposals and reports, as well as assisting with coordinating submissions.

This role is ideal for a motivated, mission-driven and detail-oriented individual, with excellent communication skills (both written and spoken), who is looking to be part of a movement for social change and to build a career.

Grant Writing and Proposal Support

Assist with the preparation of funding proposals, including proofreading, formatting, and assembling required documents.

Draft standard proposal sections using organisational templates and previously approved content.

Support internal coordination for proposal development, ensuring timely inputs from programme and finance teams.

Donor Reporting and Impact Communications

Support the drafting and formatting of donor reports, compiling data, stories, and visuals from internal teams.

Track reporting timelines and donor requirements to ensure timely and accurate submissions.

Prospect Research and Donor Pipeline Support

Conduct research to identify and profile new prospects (foundations, corporates, and institutions) aligned with the organisation’s mission and funding priorities.

Research and assist with securing opportunities to network with potential funders.

Support the development of a structured prospecting pipeline, including background research and tracking of open calls and deadlines.

Prepare research briefs and donor intelligence summaries to support cultivation and approach strategies.

Partnership Administration and Internal Systems

Manage and maintain the team’s administrative systems, including the CRM, grants calendar, and donor tracking tools.

Track proposal and reporting deadlines, grant deliverables, and donor correspondence.

Maintain an up-to-date library of organisational documents and standardised content—including project descriptions, impact statistics, staff bios, registration documents, and financial records—for use in proposals and reports.

Assist in scheduling donor meetings, supporting logistics for visits or events, and ensuring follow-ups are recorded.

Team Coordination and General Support

Participate in team meetings and strategy sessions.

Assist with donor-related campaigns or fundraising events as needed.

Provide ad hoc support to ensure smooth operation of the Partnerships function.

Bachelor’s Degree ideally in a relevant field such as marketing, communications, international development or related field

Minimum 2 to 5 years’ experience in marketing / communications role, ideally within the nonprofit sector but not limited to.

Excellent organisational and administrative skills.

Clear and professional written and spoken communication abilities.

Comfortable managing systems, deadlines, and internal processes.

Strong research and information-gathering skills.

Detail-oriented, reliable, and eager to learn.

Strong passion for social justice

Proficient in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace.