Regional Development Lead

The Aga Khan Schools (AKS), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), comprises the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) and the Aga Khan Academies (AKA). AKS is a network of 200 schools, over 100 non-formal education programme centres and eight hostels, serving almost 100,000 students each year, with the support of over 6,500 teachers and staff. The agency currently operates across 11 countries in East Africa and South and Central Asia.

Summary:

The Aga Khan Schools (AKS) Development Office is looking for dynamic and dedicated individuals to join the team and successfully drive the agencys regional fundraising efforts. This open position offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to the growth and success of AKS through strategic fundraising management. Successful candidates will be highly involved in the development of a multi-year strategy for local fundraising efforts. This exciting journey will also lead the post holders to coordinate all aspects of campaign-specific activities, including meetings and fundraising events in the relevant regions. AKS is looking for individual to be based in India (to cover the Asia region).

Responsibilities:

• Achieve the fundraising targets and implement the agencys resource development plans in the respective region.
• Establish and monitor a budget, ensuring AKS meets or exceeds revenue targets within budgeted expenses.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration within the Development Office with the communications and alumni relations teams across the regions to create or adapt materials tailored to donor segments.
• Build strategic and tactical plans to achieve fundraising goals by coordinating a matrix of communication and solicitation strategies involving email, direct mail, phone, events, personal visitation and volunteer engagement.
• Represent AKS at networking events, conferences and donor meetings in the relevant region to expand the agencys reach and visibility within the philanthropic community.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective donors and funding opportunities, tracking progress and reporting on fundraising metrics.
• Forge strong partnerships with AKS leadership and AKDN entities to build robust support systems. This includes tracking and monitoring systems, processes, tools, and compliance and regularly report progress and outcomes to the leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the schools management and other stakeholders to align fundraising efforts with organisational priorities and funding needs within AKS units.
• Provide regular reports on progress and outcomes to the leadership and stakeholders.
• Oversee the efficient use of Raisers Edge, a donor management system, to ensure the effective tracking of fundraising pledges, collections and acknowledgement of gifts.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy within the organisation, encouraging staff, students and other stakeholders to actively participate in fundraising efforts and become ambassadors for AKS mission.
• Ensure donor gifts are properly coded and recognised, which includes reviewing gift agreements; pledge maintenance; and systemisation of appropriate acknowledgment letters and receipts to ensure successful stewardship.
• Issue and maintain charitable tax receipts in accordance with regulatory and compliance requirements and best practices.

Required:

• 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major gifts and grants.
• Extensive network and contacts in the philanthropic community in the relevant region, with the ability to leverage relationships for fundraising success.
• Proficiency in data management and use of CRM systems for tracking and reporting. Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in donor cultivation and relations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and articulate compelling cases for support.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with a results-oriented mindset and a commitment to achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
• Ability to work remote effectively in a team environment, as well as independently.
• Passion for AKS’s mission and values.
• Knowledgeable and informed about the latest trends and developments in philanthropy, fundraising and education policy to adapt strategies and tactics to remain competitive and effective in resource development efforts.