Country: Kyrgyzstan
Closing date: 05 Sep 2016
Background
It is an exciting time to be part of the University of Central Asia (UCA)! UCA was established by an international treaty between the governments of Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan. It is the first regional university in Central Asia and our mission is to promote social and economic development in Central Asia, particularly its mountain societies, while helping its people to preserve and draw upon their rich cultural heritage as assets for the future. UCA is a bold endeavour. Its fully residential campuses are located in secondary towns in mountain communities and this September the first campus welcomes its inaugural class of undergraduate students in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic. The second campus will be launched in Khorog, Tajikistan in September 2017, to be followed by the campus in Tekeli, Kazakhstan with an anticipated opening date of September 2019. This is the first of four phases of development at the end of which each campus will enrol 1,200 students.
UCA is committed to becoming a student-centred world class research university offering quality degree programmes (starting with undergraduate education), and promoting sound research that contributes to international knowledge, and informs policy and practice in the Central Asian context. At the same time, it will continue to develop educational programmes that address the immediate needs of young people and adults for professional and skills development in the three Founding States, in northern Afghanistan and other neighbouring mountain societies.
UCA currently consists of:
• The School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) - offering an undergraduate education that combines liberal arts and majors relevant to Central Asia’s current and future labour market needs.
• The School of Professional and Continuing Education - meeting the immediate needs of the broadest spectrum of learners that has engaged since its establishment in 2006 over 88,000 learners in the three countries of Central Asia, and in Northern Afghanistan.
• The Aga Khan Humanities Project - a partnership with over 75 higher educational institutions in Central Asia delivering inter-disciplinary courses in the humanities.
• The Graduate School of Development - currently comprised of the Mountain Societies Research Institute (natural resource management, natural hazards, climate change, etc.) and the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (economic policy, social cohesion, etc.) that conduct research, deliver certificate level educational programmes to civil servants and other stakeholders, and inform development practice. The Cultural Heritage and Humanities Unit that is part of the SAS has focused on the publication of original, seminal works in ethnomusicology.
UCA is now seeking a highly motivated individual who wants to be part of UCA’s visionary journey. Reporting to the Director of Development, you will be part of a team developing UCA’s resource mobilisation and facilitating partnerships; mobilising resources from a multitude of donors for UCA’s education and research programmes, as well as managing grants ensuring delivery on time and with quality, in compliance with internal and external requirements.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Resource mobilisation:
• Support the management and further development of strong relationships with existing funding partners to provide strong client service, assess priorities, acquire intelligence, and identify additional funding opportunities
• Support the identification of new funding opportunities and development and implementation of cultivation plans
• In close cooperation with key staff support the identification and pursuit of strategic partnerships and alliances that lead to funding opportunities at global and regional levels
• Support/lead, conceptualise and act as lead writer, the development of high quality, strategic, competitive and timely proposals and project budgets and follow through until approval Grants management:
• Work closely with UCA’s project teams, research institutes, Finance, and other units to ensure that programmatic, financial, and operational management of grants and contracts complies with internal and donor requirements
• Lead donor reporting processes by producing high quality narrative reports and ensuring their timely submission
• Monitor grant expenditures and progress towards programmatic targets through regular communication with project teams, research institutes and Finance
• Advise project teams and other relevant units on donor rules and regulations
• Review agreements with donors and partners
• Serve as the focal point for donors and partners on grant management issues
Other:
• Guide and mentor colleagues in the Development & DR Office
• Work with project teams and Communications to develop relevant communication material of high quality
• Provide proactive support in the planning, coordination and facilitation of donor, partner and other stakeholder visits to UCA campuses and project sites
• Represent UCA at external events
• Other assignments as decided by the Director of Development
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Required:
• Master’s degree or equivalent from a reputable university in a relevant field
• Experience (5-7 years) in international fundraising, proposal development & writing and grants management for a university, an international or leading national research institute or a development organisation
• Knowledge of best practices and current trends in international donor relations and fundraising, especially for research
• Ability to spot strategic funding and partnership opportunities and design and executive effective engagement plans
• Outstanding writing skills, including the ability to conceptualise research ideas, and good public speaking skills. Excellent English language writing ability is an absolute requirement
• Solid understanding of rules and regulations of UCA’s key donors including, but not limited to, USAID, Global Affairs Canada, IDRC, DFID, and the World Bank
• Good knowledge of budget development and management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
Desirable:
• Knowledge of the region; Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan
• Knowledge of Russian
• Experience of living and working in a developing country in a multicultural environment
Personal qualities:
• Very proactive and target driven with analytical and organisational skills
• Exceptional ability to be flexible; multi-task, prioritise and perform under pressure
• Team-player with good interpersonal and communication skills
• Diplomacy, negotiation, and networking skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to travel within the region and internationally as required
This is an internationally recruited position with competitive pay and benefits.
Reporting Relationship
The Manager - Grants Development & Management will report to the Director of Development
How to apply:
Please send an application explaining your interest to work at UCA and your experience in relation to the position with curriculum vitae, a recent passport size photograph, names and addresses (including telephone and e-mail) of at least three referees, and date of availability to hr.recruitment@ucentralasia.org by 5 September 2016. As your application e-mail subject, please write: “Manager – Grants Development & Management”.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Review other job vacancies at: http://www.ucentralasia.org/About/CurrentVacancies