Open position
Senior Manager – Partnerships & Global Program Strategy
Full-time · Location: US Remote
SAIF is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects patient, catalytic capital, strategic partnerships, and ecosystem collaboration to innovation-to-deployment pathways in climate resilience, resilient livelihoods, health, and underserved communities across the Global South. We build on a decade of innovation and deployment experience by Social Alpha and Sustain Plus.
The Senior Manager – Partnerships & Global Program Strategy leads the design, fundraising and strategic management of innovation-driven development programs focused on climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and public health systems in emerging markets. Reporting to the CEO, the role supports philanthropic engagement with U.S. foundations, corporate partners, and global development institutions while designing scalable program models implemented through international partner organizations.
The position integrates strategic program design, philanthropic fundraising, ecosystem analysis, and impact evaluation to advance the organization's role at the intersection of innovation and development. The Senior Manager translates ecosystem insights and donor priorities into scalable “innovation-to-deployment” program models addressing challenges in climate adaptation, agriculture systems, energy access, and climate–health solutions.
This role requires advanced working knowledge of international development systems, innovation ecosystems and program design, supplemented by a graduate degree in international development / public policy / environmental policy, or a related field.
Key Responsibilities
1. Philanthropic Partnerships & Institutional Fundraising
- Develop and manage relationships with philanthropic foundations, corporate CSR partners, family offices and global development institutions.
- Lead preparation of concept notes, grant proposals and donor briefings that translate strategic program design into compelling funding opportunities.
- Manage a pipeline of institutional funding opportunities aligned with program priorities.
- Support the organization's positioning with U.S. based philanthropic partners through targeted outreach, strategic communications and partnership development.
- Collaborate with leadership to identify new philanthropic partnerships that support expansion of innovation-driven development programs.
2. Strategic Program Design & Management
- Design and structure innovation-driven development programs across multiple stages of innovation – from early R&D and pilot validation to large-scale deployment through ecosystem partners.
- Develop scalable “innovation-to-deployment” program models that connect technology innovators with implementation partners, research institutions, and public systems.
- Oversee program implementation including work planning, budgeting, partner coordination, and performance monitoring to ensure delivery against milestones, impact targets, and donor requirements.
- Coordinate cross-sector partnerships with innovators, NGOs, research institutions, and implementation organizations to enable effective program deployment in emerging markets.
3. Ecosystem Research & Global Program Strategy
- Conduct ecosystem and sector analysis to identify emerging opportunities, collaboration partners, and innovation gaps across priority sectors and geographies.
- Lead landscaping efforts including policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and innovation ecosystem assessments to inform the organization's global program strategy.
- Identify and assess potential partnerships with research institutions, NGOs, innovators, and development actors to support future program development and deployment.
- Synthesize ecosystem insights into strategic briefs and concept frameworks that guide program expansion and philanthropic engagement.
Essential Skills & Competencies
- Strategic program design in international development and innovation ecosystems.
- Institutional fundraising and philanthropic partnership development.
- Policy and ecosystem analysis for emerging markets.
- Program management and cross-sector partnership coordination.
- Grant writing and concept note development for philanthropic foundations.
- Monitoring, evaluation, and impact analytics.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to synthesize complex development challenges into actionable program strategies.
- Leadership and team coordination in collaborative, multi-stakeholder environments.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in International Development / Public Policy / Environmental Policy / Economics, or a related field strongly preferred.
- 4-5 years of professional experience in international development, climate innovation, philanthropic programs, or social impact ecosystems.
- Demonstrated experience designing and managing complex development programs involving multiple partners across research, innovation and field implementation.
- Experience working with philanthropic foundations, corporate CSR initiatives, or development finance institutions preferred.
- Experience in climate adaptation, sustainable livelihoods, energy access, or public health programs is highly desirable.
- Strong analytical, writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
How to apply
To apply, submit a CV and cover letter to hr@socialalpha.us.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.