Akram Al-Masnai

Where I am based: Bristol, UK

What I do: As the Business Relations & Fundraising Manager at Development Initiatives (DI), I secure commercial contracts and develop restricted grant programmes with governments, bilateral organisations and multilateral agencies worldwide to empower our non-profit and consultancy arms. My focus is on building a solid income pipeline and unlocking unrestricted revenue streams to fuel our mission to harness the power of data and evidence to end poverty, reduce inequality and increase resilience.

Previous experience: My journey so far has been a blend of strategic leadership, consultancy and deep involvement in sustainable development across numerous organisational landscapes. At Diaspora for International Development, as Managing Director, I navigated the intricacies of global NGOs. My focus was on fostering a collective effort towards achieving tangible sustainable development goals, from grassroots to international levels.

I have had two different roles at Oxfam. As part of the Campaigns, Policy and Influencing Team, I helped hone the organisation’s strategic foresight, ensuring our campaigns were impactful and credible, while enhancing our programme design and impact assessment methodologies. As part of the Programme Funding and Partnership Team, I managed donor contracts, safeguarding Oxfam GB’s cash flow, and mitigating risks from non-compliance while nurturing positive donor relationships. I championed Oxfam’s donor engagement, resource mobilisation and partnership building across diverse regions, diversifying income streams, engaging with world-renowned donors like FCDO, DEC and ECHO, and navigating key global partnerships like the Start Network.

I've augmented my practical experience with a robust academic foundation, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification from the University of Bath, and a Master of International Development at the University of Bristol.