COMMUNITY, PARTNERSHIPS & MARKET ACCESS LEAD

COMMUNITY, PARTNERSHIPS & MARKET ACCESS LEAD
ABOUT DORMI ARTS INITIATIVE
Dormi Arts Initiative is a licensed Ugandan social enterprise founded in 2012. We use creativity, art, and
innovation to develop people, generate livelihoods, and create lasting change in our communities. We are not
a traditional arts NGO — we are a creative enterprise that earns commercial income while delivering social
impact.
We operate six programmes — Inspiring Generations, Thriving on Art, Artisan Skill & Employ, Artist
Collaboration & Mentorship, Nature Inspired, and Art Therapy — and our commercial clients include Equity
Bank, Fairway Boutique Hotel, Sambiya River Lodge, and Latitude 0° Kampala.
We are based in Mengo, Sentema Road, Kampala. We are at an exciting growth stage, having built the
systems and partnerships that now require a dedicated person to grow our community presence, deepen our
external relationships, and open new commercial markets for our artists and artisans.
THE ROLE
The Community, Partnerships & Market Access Lead is the person who builds the world around
Dormi Arts Initiative — the schools, the partners, the clients, the networks, and the platforms that
allow our artists and artisans to do their work at scale.
You will be the external face of Dormi Arts Initiative in Kampala and beyond. You will find, approach, pitch,
and secure the partnerships and commercial relationships that generate income for our artists and artisans,
fund our programmes, and build our reputation. You will also lead our community engagement — the school
partnerships, community presence, and creative networks that give our programmes a home.

This is a role for someone who is genuinely excited about the intersection of creativity and commerce —
someone who can walk into a corporate boardroom and a community hall with equal ease and confidence.
Reports To Chief Executive Officer Location Kampala, Uganda (with field travel)
Contract Type Full-time (permanent) Start Date As soon as possible
Remuneration Competitive salary commensurate with experience – discussed at interview. Tier 2 benefits apply
as the organization scales (performance bonus, professional development, medical support).
WHAT YOU WILL DO
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
– Build and manage Dormi Arts Initiative’s presence in schools, communities, and creative networks in
Kampala and surrounding areas
– Identify, approach, and maintain active school partnerships — coordinating with the Inspiring Generations
Programme Lead on scheduling and delivery
– Represent Dormi Arts Initiative at community events, creative sector gatherings, and public forums
– Develop and maintain a community stakeholder database — tracking relationships, conversations, and
opportunities
– Coordinate volunteer and community ambassador networks that extend the organisation’s reach
PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
– Research, identify, and approach potential corporate, NGO, hospitality, and government partners
– Prepare and present partnership proposals — including Founding Partner pitches, MoU discussions, and
sponsorship packages
– Manage the full partnership pipeline from prospect to signed agreement, working with the CEO on all formal
agreements
– Maintain active partner relationships — delivering quarterly impact reports, attending partner events, and
identifying expansion opportunities
– Track partner commitments and ensure the organisation fulfils every obligation on time
– Support the Bridge Fund campaign by managing outreach to prospective corporate partners and donors
MARKET ACCESS & COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
– Identify and open new commercial markets for Dormi Arts Initiative’s products and services — exhibitions,
trade fairs, hospitality procurement, interior design, and corporate gifting
– Build relationships with art collectors, interior designers, corporate procurement officers, and event
organisers
– Develop and manage exhibition opportunities — working with the CEO and Production team to plan,
promote, and execute
– Manage enquiries from prospective commercial clients and coordinate handover to the Productions team
– Track the commercial pipeline and report monthly on leads, conversions, and revenue generated
VISIBILITY, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
– Manage Dormi Arts Initiative’s social media channels (Instagram, Facebook) — content planning, posting,
and community engagement

– Write and distribute press releases, newsletters, and public communications in line with organisational
messaging
– Coordinate media coverage opportunities — journalists, bloggers, photographers, and documentary-makers
– Maintain the Dormi Arts website content, ensuring it is accurate, current, and well-presented
– Create and manage a monthly impact story for external publication — a real story from the organisation’s
work that demonstrates value to partners and donors
REPORTING & STRATEGY
– Submit a Department Monthly Report by the 3rd working day of each month
– Track and report on partnership pipeline, market access progress, social media reach, and community
engagement
– Contribute to the organisation’s Annual Impact Report by providing partnership and market data
– Bring partnership and market intelligence to the CEO’s monthly strategic review
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
This role needs someone who is three things at once: a relationship builder, a commercial thinker, and a
genuine champion of creative enterprise. The right person will be comfortable in formal boardrooms and
community halls. They will be comfortable talking about art, impact, and money in the same breath.
ESSENTIAL
✓ Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional
experience in Business Development, Marketing,
Communications, or a related field
✓ Minimum 2 years experience in partnership
development, business development, community
engagement, or a related role
✓ Demonstrated ability to build and maintain
professional relationships — including with senior
stakeholders
✓ Strong written and verbal communication in English
— able to write a proposal and deliver a presentation
with confidence
✓ Experience managing social media for an
organisation or brand
✓ Genuine interest in and respect for Uganda’s creative
sector and the arts
✓ Highly organised, self-motivated, and able to
manage multiple relationships simultaneously
✓ Comfortable working with limited supervision in a
lean, growing organisation
DESIRABLE
+ Experience working in a creative, cultural, or social
enterprise context
+ Existing relationships within Kampala’s hospitality,
corporate CSR, or arts sector
+ Experience with grant writing, fundraising, or donor
relations
+ Graphic design or content creation skills
+ Knowledge of art or craft — as a practitioner,
enthusiast, or professional
+ Experience managing CRM systems or partnership
tracking tools
+ Fluency in Luganda or other Ugandan languages in
addition to English

THE KIND OF PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR
You open doors
You make contacts easily and follow through consistently.
You know that a relationship is only as strong as the last
interaction you had.
You are commercially minded
You think about return on investment — for the
organisation and for the partners you bring in. You don’t
mistake activity for results.
You communicate clearly
You write well. You speak confidently. You know how to
adapt your message for a corporate audience and a
community audience without losing your authenticity.
You champion creative people
You genuinely believe that Uganda’s artists and artisans
deserve better markets and more recognition. That belief
drives how you work.
You are organised under pressure
Multiple partnerships, multiple leads, multiple
conversations — and you keep track of all of them.
Nothing falls through the cracks.
You are honest
You report what is working and what is not. You do not
over-promise to partners. You flag problems early instead
of hiding them.
You are an initiator
In a lean organisation, you will not be waiting for
instructions. You will be coming to the CEO with ideas,
opportunities, and plans.
You are proud to be part of this
You will carry the Dormi Arts Initiative story into every
room you enter — with knowledge, pride, and conviction.
WHAT WE OFFER
A ROLE WITH REAL PURPOSE
You will be building something that
matters — helping Uganda’s artists and
artisans reach the markets and
partners they deserve
ROOM TO GROW
This is a founding role in a growing
organisation. The right person will
grow with it — in responsibility, in
recognition, and in reward
A CREATIVE ENVIRONMENT
You will work alongside artists,
artisans, and programme leads who
are genuinely passionate about what
they do
HOW TO APPLY
Send your application by email to:
info@dormiarts.org
Subject line: Application — Community, Partnerships & Market Access Lead
Your application must include:
– A cover letter (maximum 1 page) — tell us who you are, why this role is right for you, and one specific
partnership or market access idea you would pursue at Dormi Arts Initiative
– Your CV— focus on relevant experience in partnerships, community engagement, and market development
– One example of your work — a proposal, a report, a social media campaign, an exhibition, or another piece of
work that demonstrates your skills in this area
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a two-stage interview: a skills assessment and a panel interview
with the CEO.
Dormi Arts Initiative is an equal opportunity organisation. We actively welcome applications from women, people with disabilities,
and people from all communities. We are particularly interested in candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
No agent or recruitment fees. Only direct applications accepted