Partnerships Strategist (Wekume)

About Wekume
Wekume — meaning “Protect Yourself” in Luganda — is a dynamic, startup transforming access to sexual and reproductive health for university students and young people in Uganda. Through our mobile platform and on-the-ground community engagement events, we support them in accessing trusted information, testing, referrals, support services, and rewards for taking charge of their health.
Our work happens both online and in physical spaces through:

• Campus activations and university outreach.
• Hostel events and student engagement programs.
• Community health awareness events.

Role Overview
We are seeking a strategic and well-connected Partnerships Strategist to build and manage a diverse partnership ecosystem. You will secure funding, policy backing, event visibility, university adoption, and technical collaboration all in service of scaling Wekume’s reach and impact.
You will sell Wekume’s mission, credibility, and outcomes to anyone who can accelerate our work.

Key Responsibilities. 
Rewards Program Partnerships

• Identify and onboard businesses, brands, restaurants, cafés, transport providers, telecom companies, gyms, entertainment spaces, and student-focused service providers into the Wekume rewards ecosystem.
• Develop partnerships that provide discounts, vouchers, sponsored products, experiences, or loyalty rewards for students engaging with Wekume services and events.
• Pitch the value of the Wekume student network and demonstrate how partners can increase visibility and engagement among university students and young people.
• Track partnership KPIs, including the number of partners onboarded, rewards redeemed, student engagement levels, and repeat partner collaborations.

Campus & Community Engagement

• Work closely with campus ambassadors and outreach teams to integrate rewards into hostel activations, campus events, testing drives, referrals, and community engagement programs.

• Support campaigns that encourage students to earn points through positive health actions, event participation, referrals, and app engagement.

•  Help partners activate their brands during Wekume events and student-focused campaigns.

• University Partnerships

• Pitch and onboard universities that is engage Vice-Chancellors, Deans of Students, University Health Services, and Counselling Centers.

• Integrate Wekume into orientation week, student handbooks, health modules, and peer education programs.

• Train student leaders, peer educators, and campus ambassadors to promote the app as a confidential first-line resource.

• Track university level KPIs: schools partnered, student reach, app activations, questions asked.

Donor & Funder Partnerships

• Identify and cultivate relationships with bilateral or multilateral donors 
• Build relationships with trusts, foundations, and high net worth individuals focused on adolescent health, gender equality, and education.
• Lead or support grant proposal development, reporting, and donor stewardship.
• Explore results-based financing or impact-linked partnerships.

Government & Public Sector Partnerships 

• Engage Ministries of Health, Education, Youth Affairs, and Higher Education to align Wekume with national SRHR strategies.
• Secure government endorsements, data privacy clearances, and potential integration into public university health programs.
• Advocate for Wekume as a recognized digital health tool for young people.

Event & Activation Funders 

• Partner with event funders, corporate CSR arms, and youth-focused brands to sponsor campus activations, health fairs, and awareness campaigns.
• Secure cash or in-kind sponsorship for Wekume-led events.
• Build a calendar around high-visibility moments for example World Contraception Day, Menstrual Hygiene Day, Youth Day.

NGO & Technical Partners 

• Collaborate with SRHR-focused NGOs, youth-led organizations, gender justice groups, and mental health initiatives.
• Build referral networks so students using Wekume can access in-person care where needed.
• Jointly apply for funding or advocacy campaigns**.**

**Qualifications**

• 3–5 years in partnerships, business development, fundraising, or external relations across at least two of:

• Donor or funder engagement

• Government liaison

• University/institutional partnerships

• Corporate/NGO collaboration

• Proven track record of securing funding, institutional commitments, or strategic partnerships.

• Excellent proposal writing, pitching, and negotiation skills.

• Deep understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and the barriers young people face.

• Ability to translate mission impact into partner-specific value propositions.

• Willingness to travel for partner meetings.

Minimum Hours per Week:

10+ hours per week

Duration:

6+ months