SAKWA MASAI
Nairobi
Summary
Sakwa is an experienced non-profit and private sector development specialist with a specialty in project management, partnership development, stakeholder engagement, and private sector resource mobilization.
He has 10 years of experience and a proven track record for helping organizations achieve efficiency in project delivery and self-sustainability. Adept at the development and execution of projects to achieve the desired outcomes at community and organizational levels. Brings forth a devotion to community development, helping communities and organizations achieve desired goals, social impact, and sustainability for shared prosperity and growth. He also serves as a Board Member of the Rotary Club of Lavington Jioni.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Private Sector Coordinator
World Wide Fund for Nature Kenya, WWF
01.2022 - Current
- Develop and implement a private sector fundraising Strategy to grow income from Corporates and High Net Worth Individuals (Major donors) in Kenya and internationally
- Working with the fundraising team to lead research and identify potential donors (corporates and HNWIs) to support Kenya's strategic plan execution
- Leveraging Kenya’s relationships with strategic partners to drive conservation successes via mobilizing businesses to participate in environmental projects and acquire required financial resources to support Kenya’s 10-year strategic plan
- Ensuring efficient and seamless account management processes are in place to support corporate partnerships and mitigate risks of partnership attrition
- Overseeing private sector engagements targeting corporations and HNWIs to build strong multi-year partnerships and funding for projects in Kenya
- Execute high level events targeting business leaders.
- Coordinate schedules and timelines for events.
- Evaluating and advising on viable partnership approaches for private sector investment with corporate partners
- Ensuring efficient coordination, ownership, development, and submission of high-quality proposals, and ensuring corporate alliances are strategic as well as philanthropically aligned.
SME Specialist
Kenya Private Sector Alliance, KEPSA
11.2020 - 12.2021
- Supported the implementation of the Private Sector-led SMEs COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program delivered in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation
- Offered strategic advisory and leadership to the project team, partners, and government agencies
- Including research, analysis, and reporting on aspects of improving Kenya’s private sector
- Supporting fundraising and partnership development, including partner identification, relationship building, and proposal writing
- Project development; initiated new programs to support private sector enterprises such as the current ITC-World Bank MSME Financing Gateway for East Africa, economic diplomacy, and SME Expo 2021.
Partnerships & Outreach Director
East Africa Film Fund /Good Pitch Kenya
Nairobi
03.2020 - 12.2020
- Successfully managed to bring onboard over 200 individuals & organizations across 20 countries to the Virtual 2nd edition of this Premier Global event
- Forged strategic partnerships to support the 5 selected East African impact documentaries through both in-kind and cash support estimated to be over USD 500,000.
- Collected and managed a diverse set of partners to meet operational and funding goals.
- Created and implemented comprehensive short- and long-term engagement strategies for prospects, supporters, and volunteers.
- Acted Liaison person between the Kenyan and global Good Pitch Programs in India and the UK.
Fundraising & Partnerships Associate Consultant, Programs Coordinator
B- Lab Africa
Nairobi
12.2019 - 11.2020
- Secured USD 125,000 for the SDG's Action Manager program through the Gates Foundation
- Spearheaded the establishment of the fundraising department for B-Lab East Africa.
- Conducted research to identify and target potential donors for fundraising campaigns.
- Developed impactful fundraising strategies to maximize donations and meet fundraising goals.
- Analyzed fundraising data to identify trends and develop strategies for improvement.
- Cultivated relationships with existing and potential donors to increase donations.
Programmes Coordinator
Invest In Africa (IIA Kenya)
Nairobi
10.2018 - 03.2020
- Organized the 2018 Invest In Africa Private Sector Forum that brought together the donor community, private sector and government agencies to promote socio-economic development in the extractive sector in Kenya
- Successfully initiated and completed the Impact Measurement process for IIA Kenya to adopt a B-Corp (Sustainable Business) Status
- Facilitated partner engagements between Tullow, Base Titanium, IIA and Kwale County Government as part of the public-private sector initiative on supplier development and youth employment
- Developed the multi-faceted donor strategy for resource mobilization to support economic empowerment programs for SMEs and rural communities, targeting partners like IFC, GIZ, DFID, the MasterCard Foundation, and the African Development Bank.
- Pioneered the SME's skills development program in partnership with Google, the Africa Management Institute, and Mowgli Mentoring that saw 300 SMEs upskilled in different business aspects.
- Appointed as an in-country for SMEs capacity building working with IIA offices in West Africa and United Kingdom offices.
Partnerships & Fundraising Director
Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA- Kenya)
Nairobi
08.2016 - 04.2018
- Effectively led and supported various partner-led fundraising initiatives with a range of timelines
- Doubling the donor base and raising up to USD 460,000
- Successfully launched the first-ever crowdfunding campaign, raising over USD 20,000 in cash and USD 100,000 in-kind support
- Streamlined the project management, reporting and donor relations processes
- Established new partnerships with the Aga Khan Foundation, USAID, Schooner Foundation, International Youth Foundation, Swiss Embassy, IFES, and Generation Kenya.
- Collected and managed a diverse set of partners to meet operational and funding goals.
Programs Manager
St. Mary’s Child Rescue Centre
Nyeri
05.2011 - 08.2015
- Developed and implemented the Fundraising and Sustainability Strategy
- Raised the annual budget by 50% by raising over 150,000 USD
- Strengthened partnerships by bringing in new partners; The Safaricom Foundation, DKA/eRKo Slovakia and Proyde Spain
- Professionalized the organization, by establishing a culture of high performance, better policies, personnel development, and welfare
- Spearheaded the process of Mary’s 2014–2018 Strategic Plan
- Developed the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs), on childcare, protection, and behavior control, incorporating counseling and a staff or volunteer code of conduct.
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
Education
Master of Arts - Community Development
Kenyatta University
O Levels -
St. Mary’s School Boys School
NyeriCivic Leadership
Young Africa Leadership Initiative - YALI
Nairobi 02.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Community Development
Moi University
Eldoret08.2012
Skills
- Proposal Development
- Project Management
- Sponsorship Development
- Fundraising Events
- Fundraising
- Team Leadership and Motivation
- Partnership Development
- Corporate Events Planning
- Fundraising Campaigns
- Donor Relations
Accomplishments
- YALI East Africa Fellow-Young Africa Leadership Initiative (YALI RLC) 2020
- Unlocking Opportunities for Women and Business – IFC/World Bank 2019
- Local Resource Mobilization – Aga Khan Foundation/Yetu USAID 2018
- Talent Development Leadership Training- Relief International 2015
- Participatory Community Project Development- DKA/eRKoSlovakia 2015
- Human Resource Management Practices- Posture Consult2014
- Preventing on Sexual Violence Against Children- Ecpat France/Rescue Dada 2014/15
- Project Cycle Management, implementation, and financing- DKA/eRKo Slovakia 2013
Additional Information
- ACHIEVEMENTS /AWARDS , Passion Award, Invest In Africa (IIA Kenya) 2019 Most Outstanding Individual Award, Aga Khan Foundation 2018 /Yetu Initiative
Affiliations
- Member of the International Association of Community Development
- Member of Rotary Club of YALI Alumni Kenya Chapter
- Rotary International
Languages
Swahili
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
Timeline
Private Sector Coordinator
World Wide Fund for Nature Kenya, WWF
01.2022 - Current
SME Specialist
Kenya Private Sector Alliance, KEPSA
11.2020 - 12.2021
Partnerships & Outreach Director
East Africa Film Fund /Good Pitch Kenya
03.2020 - 12.2020
Fundraising & Partnerships Associate Consultant, Programs Coordinator
B- Lab Africa
12.2019 - 11.2020
Programmes Coordinator
Invest In Africa (IIA Kenya)
10.2018 - 03.2020
Partnerships & Fundraising Director
Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA- Kenya)
08.2016 - 04.2018
Programs Manager
St. Mary’s Child Rescue Centre
05.2011 - 08.2015
Master of Arts - Community Development
Kenyatta University
O Levels -
St. Mary’s School Boys School
Civic Leadership
Young Africa Leadership Initiative - YALI
Bachelor of Arts - Community Development
Moi University
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