Employment Opportunities

Employment type: Full time, exempt
Location: Des Moines, IA
Work schedule: In person, option of hybrid schedule (remote 2 days/week)

Organizational overview: Self-Help International is dedicated to alleviating hunger by helping people help themselves. We support rural communities, small-scale farmers, and local enterprises in Nicaragua and Ghana to become self-reliant through training, education, leadership development, and technical assistance. SHI focuses on agricultural advancement, women’s empowerment, nutrition and health, and clean water access while building collaborative partnerships and raising global awareness of food insecurity.

Position Overview:  The International Programs & Grants Manager provides strategic leadership in program design, monitoring and evaluation, and fund development to strengthen Self-Help International’s work in Ghana and Nicaragua. This role collaborates closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Country Directors, and Board Committees to ensure programs are effective, sustainable, well-funded, and aligned with SHI’s mission to alleviate hunger by helping people help themselves.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Stakeholder Engagement, Fund Development & Communication

• Liaise with donors to provide insight into program strategy and impact
• Develop work plans and coordinate international trips involving staff, board members, skilled volunteers, donors, and interns
• Collaborate with SHI’s Development and Communications teams to:
  • Articulate program goals and achievements
  • Develop donor reports, proposals, and multimedia content
  • Cultivate relationships with funders and partners to facilitate program growth
  • Lead program-based educational activities to engage youth around global issues

Program Design, Strategy & Learning

• Lead long-term program design to achieve organizational theory of change, including articulation of metrics of success and exit strategies
• Guide program staff to incorporate evidence-based practices to improve outcomes
• Liaise with stakeholders and advisors to provide insight on program design, strategy, and implementation, and establish and cultivate new relationships to engage volunteers to provide technical expertise
• Travel to Ghana and Nicaragua regularly to strengthen partnerships, evaluate programs, and support staff
• Coordinate with Ghana and Nicaragua Committee Chairs and program management teams to facilitate quarterly discussions of key strategic questions and next steps
• Support Country Directors in human resource, procedural, financial, and administrative matters

Program Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation
Provide strategic and technical support to Country Directors and management teams in Ghana and Nicaragua to:

• Develop and implement annual program plans
• Align annual program goals and budgets with strategic organizational priorities and sustainability objectives
• Ensure efficient and effective implementation of programs across SHI’s service areas
• Maintain robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems and support program staff with outcome-based metric development and data collection
• Evaluate the impact and cost-effectiveness of SHI’s programs
• Conduct annual evaluation of progress toward strategic program goals and prepare performance reports for internal and external audiences
• Design and facilitate capacity-building activities for program staff and volunteers
• Provide quarterly updates on program impact and effectiveness to the Ghana and Nicaragua Committees of SHI’s Board of Directors

Key Deliverables within 12 months include but are not limited to the following:

• Evaluate the cost and effectiveness of each program in each country in 2024 and project the cost effectiveness for FY25, and present results to the Board of Directors
• Develop or update program implementation guides and handbooks, incorporating effective practices and local expertise, including sustainability benchmarks and exit strategies
• Collaborate with in-country staff to submit 4+ grant applications of $50,000+ each to fund existing programs and facilitate program growth and development consistent with organizational and programmatic strategic goals
• Travel to each country to learn from and support program staff, and develop collaborative working relationships
• Organize 2 donor trips to visit SHI’s program staff and impacted communities first-hand, including appropriate pre-trip cultural orientation

Qualifications

 Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, agriculture, public health, economics, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in international development, program management, or a related field, including experience managing M&E systems and outcome-based reporting
• Demonstrated success securing and/or managing grants
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills and a proven ability to work effectively with diverse, international teams
• Ability to travel internationally up to 15% of the time, including to remote rural areas
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation

 Preferred:

• Master’s degree in international development, nonprofit management, or a relevant discipline
• Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa or Central America
• Experience working with rural communities or agricultural initiatives
• Cultural competence in areas where SHI provides direct services
• Proficiency in Spanish, Twi, and/or Dagaare
• Donor engagement experience

This is a meaningful opportunity for a dedicated, culturally fluent professional to make a lasting impact alongside a passionate team working to alleviate hunger and improve livelihoods in Ghana and Nicaragua.  Self-Help International is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience in the regions where we work.

Compensation:  $62,500 – $67,500 starting salary, paid time off, and health benefits

To Apply:  Submit your cover letter, resume, and list of references to [email protected] with the subject line: International Programs & Grants Manager Application – [Your Name]

Applications will be accepted from June 5, 2025 until the position is filled.

Apply by June 13, 2025 for priority consideration.

Interviews are expected to take place June 19 – 27

Preferred start date: July 7 – 21

Reports to:  Deputy Director
Location: Des Moines, IA
Status: Full-time

Job Overview:

Self-Help International (SHI) seeks a highly skilled and dedicated Development and Communications Specialist to join our organization. SHI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working in Ghana, West Africa and Nicaragua, Central America. SHI carries out its mission to alleviate hunger by helping people help themselves by providing resources to empower families, especially women, in the areas of sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and economic development.

Self-Help’s U.S. operations are based in Iowa with offices in Waverly and Des Moines. The US office’s focus is to secure the financial and human resources necessary to carry out our mission overseas by raising funds necessary to carry out our mission, collaborating with interns and skilled volunteers, ensuring good governance, and monitoring and evaluating programs to achieve the overall mission.

Role & Responsibilities: The Development and Communications Specialist is responsible for leading and executing donor engagement strategies, managing communication initiatives, and overseeing events that support Self-Help International’s mission. This role owns key deliverables and drives results by proactively managing both strategy and implementation with input from leadership. The manager collaborates cross-functionally to ensure donor and public engagement is consistent, timely, and impactful.

Fundraising Communications Support

• Create effective communication systems with Self-Help donor base and allies
  • Lead stewardship of current donors and cultivation of potential donors through written, e-mail, and phone correspondence.
  • Manage the creation and distribution of print newsletters and impact reports.
  • Coordinate and curate information on SHI’s impact across these channels: Self-Help’s blog, e-newsletter, GlobalGiving, social media, and via partner organizations.
  • Design and implement an ongoing social media calendar highlighting specific program achievements and needs while driving engagement.
  • Reviewing monthly program reports from overseas staff to inform and assist with overall communication plan.
• Enhance public image & awareness of Self-Help International
  • Oversee and develop speaking engagements and presentations, including those to churches, civic groups, etc. Assist the speaker with the preparation of materials.
  • Coordinate submission of impact stories to relevant print and e-publications such as Iowa Methodist magazines and Rotarian magazines.
  • Maintain and update SHI website in coordination with third party website manager with key information from the impact reports, blog stories, and other sources as assigned.
• Event management to engage Self-Help donor base and new donors.
  • Work in collaboration with the DD, to include facilitation of mailings, preparation of materials, gift management, timely financial reporting and analysis, event volunteer management, and other duties as assigned.

General Operations

• Review data entry and assist with donor data management within Raiser’s Edge software, including running queries, pulling reports.
• Review recorded contributions and assist with accurately acknowledging donors.
• Assist with maintenance of accurate income & expense records and lists of donations and designated gifts, including saving relevant documentation to donor files.
• General problem-solving and troubleshooting assistance to other staff as needed.

Skill Set/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required in communications, journalism, marketing, nonprofit management, international studies, or a related field; advanced degree or equivalent work experience
• Strong writing, storytelling, and editing skills tailored to diverse donor audiences.
• Experience in donor stewardship, fundraising campaigns, or nonprofit development
• Proficiency with social media management tools and website CMS (e.g., WordPress)
• Ability to manage multiple projects with deadlines and attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to effectively prioritize to meet deadlines and communicate when changes arise
• Able to transition from one project to another in a changing, fast-paced environment
• Must be proficient in Word and comfortable with learning new software, using Google Suite, and navigating within Dropbox
• Prior experience with database management preferred, particularly Raiser’s Edge, and/or willingness to learn
• Must be proficient in English, ability to communicate in Spanish a plus
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to office

Compensation: We offer competitive compensation commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid holidays, paid time off, parental leave, health, dental, and vision insurance, professional development assistance, and employee assistance program.

Compensation range: starting at $47,500-$52,500 salary. Negotiable depending on experience and position.

Work authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the USA.

To apply: Submit a cover letter and résumé with reference details to [email protected]. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis from May 30th until the position is filled. Anticipated start date July 1, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Note: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an individual in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. Responsibilities and duties may change or evolve based on the needs of the organization.

SHI does not evangelize or seek to promote any particular faith or religion. Self-Help programs are offered regardless of the race, creed or nationality of the recipients and without adverse distinction of any kind and are not used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.

SHI is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. SHI encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming people, people who speak a language in addition to English, and people with unique lived experience or diverse professional or personal backgrounds and perspectives.