Overview JAQA World Foundation is a Section 8 company born with a vision to scale globally by combining nature-based restoration, climate-smart livelihoods, clean water, renewable energy, circular economy, disaster resilience, digital environmental intelligence, and microfinance. You will be the first operational leader: building the team, launching pilots, closing early funding, and turning the origin model into a replicable “Origin-to-Orbit” impact engine. Key Mandate (First 12 Months) Establish the foundation as a functioning, donor-ready organization. Launch and operationalize at least three pilot verticals in Kerala. Secure initial seed / unrestricted funding to unlock scale. Build core team, systems, compliance, and early global replication pathways. Responsibilities 1. Strategy & Execution Translate JAQA’s multi-vertical impact framework into actionable year-1 operational plans. Lead rapid pilot deployment in Kerala for priority verticals (e.g., ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, water access). Own the “Kerala model” packaging: playbooks, log frames, pitch materials, and global replication blueprint. 2. Fundraising & Partnerships Drive urgent fundraising: CSR, impact investors, blended finance, grants, and seed donors. Build and manage a pipeline of partners (NGOs, government, academic, tech, international replication nodes). Steward early funders with clear reporting, transparency, and impact storytelling. 3. Team & Governance Recruit and onboard first core staff/volunteers (program leads, operations, MEL). Work with the founding board to operationalize governance (policies, committees, compliance calendar). Serve as the de facto public face for the foundation until a broader leadership team is in place. 4. Operations & Compliance Set up financial controls, budgeting, audit readiness, and statutory filings (MCA, CSR reporting, initiate FCRA if applicable). Establish M&E framework, baseline data collection, and impact tracking for pilots. Build simple internal systems (CRM for donors, program MIS, documentation). 5. Growth & Scaling Document pilot performance; create dissemination materials for replication (digital playbook, virtual summit). Secure at least two international “next-site” commitments (e.g., partner organizations in Indonesia/Kenya) by Q1 2026. Qualifications & Profile Must-haves: 7+ years of leadership in early-stage non-profits / social enterprises or mission-driven startups. Demonstrated fund-raising success (ideally ₹2–5 Cr equivalent raised previously) from grants, CSR, impact, or blended sources. Strong operational dexterity: setting up programs, managing budgets, and delivering pilots without large existing infrastructure. Comfort with ambiguity, bootstrap mentality, and building from zero. Excellent storyteller and relationship builder. Nice-to-haves: Domain familiarity in climate resilience, water, renewable energy, circular economy, or rural livelihoods. Kerala / regional networks and language familiarity. Experience with digital monitoring tools or impact tech. Prior experience with governance of Section 8 / NGO compliance in India. Terms & Incentives Compensation: Volunteer / non-salaried initially until funds and donations are secured.Cost recovery: Modest honorarium when pledged funds permit.Impac t-linked incentive: “Phantom equity” or surplus-linked bonus structure (e.g., percentage of early unrestricted funding mobilized, deferred recognition package when funding stabilizes).Title & Authority: Whole-Time Director / Executive Director with delegated signing authority (to be formalized by board resolution).Durat ion: Initial 12-month charter with review at scale-gate (end Q3 2026).Suppo rt: Board backing, access to templates/collateral, and commitment to seed initial pilot funding to enable traction. Metrics of Success (First 12 Months) ₹1-2 Cr (or equivalent) in unrestricted/seed funding committed. 3 pilot verticals operational with baseline and early outcomes. Core team of ~10 onboarded (staff or committed long-term volunteers). Governance and compliance calendar fully activated (statutory filings, audit ready). At least 2 replication partners identified outside India.