Help2read, established in 2005, is a literacy development, non-profit organisation working to develop the English reading skills of Foundation Phase learners in low and no-fee government schools in and around Gauteng and the Western Cape. Help2read’s vision is that all children will leave primary school literate. To achieve this, help2read provides one-on-one English literacy interventions for learners. These interventions are delivered by trained volunteers and youth i.e. Literacy Tutors who assist in over-crowded primary schools, providing individual reading and literacy support to learners throughout the year.
Help2read seeks to appoint a Business Development Manager preferably to be based in either Gauteng or the Western Cape.
This position requires a home-based office as help2read no longer operates from business premises,
. The primary purpose of the role is Business Development:
Research and prospect new Trusts, corporate partners and/or donors and propose / implement new initiatives that increase and diversify income opportunities so as to ensure a robust pipeline of funding for Programmes over the next 5 years;
The minimum target to be raised in 2022 is R1 033 000; R5 461 000 in 2023 and R6 782 000 in 2024.
Build relationships with the decision makers within potential donor organisations, private sector companies and strategic partners whose objectives can be aligned to facilitate and leverage help2read’s plans;
Contribute towards the development of systems and procedures to enable the effective execution of new business development and the timeous stewarding and reporting on the allocation, use and impact of finance committed;
Research, operationalise and maintain the relationship with State Departments who provide stipends for Youth. This includes taking the lead with the Year Beyond (YEBO) Programme. Manage the process within help2read as well as with the State Departments;
Compile narrative reports as per the timelines in grant agreements with existing grantmakers. Social Media:
Lead the strategic positioning and communication of help2read and its purpose so as to raise its profile as both a thought and practice leader active in promoting literacy skills development and a love of reading amongst South Africa’s primary school children;
In cooperation with the CEO finalise the content of the help2read Annual Review;
Play a lead role in planning and implementing an integrated communications strategy and lead on implementing the strategy for, and delivery of, a press and media relations programme and coverage. Develop relationships with potential media and publishing partners in print, radio, television etc. and online media and to regularly provide them with news stories, editorial articles, blog posts and/or public service announcement / campaign adverts or calls to action for any excess publication space. Engage potential other partners and establishing relationships to provide for gifts-in-kind and (e.g. removal firms for inter-city book transfers; car rental companies or sales companies for sponsored cards; media / printing / retailers who could support reading clubs etc.);
Collate all stories, activity ideas, reading tips, thought pieces and blog posts, including photos, etc. for a monthly newsletter and weekly Instagram, Twitter and Facebook posts;
Create marketing campaigns, conduct media research and surveys amongst beneficiaries and others to engage / improve / expand relationships, contribute to, social media content and conduct media research on potential partners, places for free advert placements etc. ;
Regularly understand the programmes performance and needs for volunteers or school participants in any communities and to put calls out through your media connections to raise awareness and recruit supporters
Create / support / lead / manage the various efforts to raise support / funding online through crowd / campaign / event fundraising by regularly updating information, news articles and “packaged” requests to engage individual donors and/or sponsors of events such as the London Marathon and Two Oceans;
Create, maintain, grow and manage an individual supporter base of people who give monthly / annually each year through individual channels and to make sure they are connected with and feel appreciated each year – through acknowledgement in stories, in small gifts etc.
Requirements:
Relevant tertiary qualification (Marketing, Business Development, Education or equivalent);
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in any of the above fields;
A valid driver’s licence;
Experience working in NGOs (specifically education) and/or government would be an advantage;
Computer literacy MS Office suite;
Excellent competence in English;
Core values: integrity; professionalism; respect for diversity and an avid reader.
Employment type: Full time, 1 year contract; renewable based on progress and performance; remuneration is negotiable within the salary scale which is available from [email protected]; commencement date is 1 March 2022 or earlier if available. Interested applicants should email [email protected]
A letter of motivation, clearly stating “Business Development Manager” • Curriculum Vitae (CV) Closing date: Friday, 21 January 2022 Should you not have heard from help2read by 28 February, please consider your application as unsuccessful.
For more about Help2read, refer to help2read.org