JOB TITLE: Director of Development

Position:  Director of Development 

Work Place: Kosova Center for Distance Education (KCDE) – Mëso Online

Duration: One year with the possibility of extension

Application deadline: 25 February, 2022

Preferable starting date: 1 April, 2022

 ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Kosova Center for Distance Education – Mëso Online (KCDE) is a Kosova non-profit organization which provides in-service teacher professional development training in online learning, and facilitates digitalization of the education sector in the country through research and advocacy engagement. KCDE – Mëso Online was founded as a pilot-project on distance education in 2016 and registered as an NGO in 2018 with the mission to diversify the means and alternatives of teaching and learning from traditional to blended-learning.

As a Center for Distance Education, we cover three areas of work:

  • The establishment of research projects in the field of digital / virtual learning
  • Capacity building of teachers and students regarding digital / virtual learning
  • Advocacy for the creation of the legal infrastructure for the digitalization of education in Kosovo.

Kosova Center for Distance Education (KCDE) – Mëso Online, has opened a call for the position of Director of Development. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

THE ROLE

The Director of Development will lead our development and fundraising work. As a Head of Development, you will be responsible for developing and effectively stewarding a diverse and sustainable donors and supporters, while also managing our finances in a way that promotes compliance and maximizes our resources. You will design and execute fundraising and stewardship campaigns and, in partnership with the Finance Team oversee our expense tracking and monitoring plan to promote fiscal responsibility. You will be a key regional leader to promote philanthropy by articulating a case for giving and helping to acquire the resources needed to do the organization’s work. This position provides a unique opportunity for an individual with superior written and communication flair, project and people management, and relationship-building skills to play a key role in driving the effectiveness and long-term stability of our Center. The Director of Development will report to the Executive Director.

 

THE PERSON

Primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Management (15%)

  • Lead the and enhance our development strategy to achieve ambitious results.

Development (50%)

    • Serve as Head of Development and support the Executive Director with funding efforts
    • Work closely with the Program Managers, HR, Advisory Board to create the long range regional development vision and annual strategic & operational plans.
    • Regularly assessing progress-to-goal, identifying what is driving and impeding success, and developing strategies to expand opportunities and overcome barriers.
    • Through research and field work, identify individuals and institutions who have the potential to invest in our work, as well as identify philanthropic opportunities most strategic to pursue.
    • Design prospect campaigns and craft a donor experience that leads us to achieve our short and long-range fundraising goals by analyzing and synthesizing trends in the motivations of our prospect and supporter base and developing compelling narratives and engagement strategies.
  • Build a sustainable investor base by compiling and reporting grants, and developing strategic relationships
  • Prioritize the right actions to be taken by the Executive Director in order to cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and prepare the Executive Director for execution

Finance (20%)

  • Oversee progress toward financial goals and overall budget.
  • Implement policies and guidelines related to finance that ensure financial compliance and maximize our funds and resources.
  • Ensure accurate financial operations, including ongoing tracking and management of all regional expenses.
  • Approve expenses and work with partners to track grant spending and drawdown.

Collective Responsibilities (15%)

  • Drive discrete projects to support KCDE in reaching ambitious goals.
  • Participate as a member of the management and development & operations team.
  • Participate in all staff regional commitments (e.g., selection, matriculation, all corps events, team meetings).

THE MUST HAVES

Preferred Prior Experience and/or Education:

  • At least 5 years professional work experience is preferred, demonstrating progressively increasing responsibility, with demonstrated success in all or most of the relevant functional areas (e.g., development, finance, etc.).
  • Previous people management experience is preferred.
  • Previous project management, fundraising, and finance work experience strongly preferred.
  • Bachelor’s Degree required/Master’s degree preferred.

Skills:

  • Generative and strategic thinker; can analyze past, current, and hypothetical future circumstances & data to generate creative solutions that capitalize on strengths and mitigate weaknesses.
  • Strength in developing strong relationships with staff, corps members, alumni, board members, external partners, and donors that drive results and contribute to a thriving culture.
  • Thrives in complex environments; is enthusiastic about taking on complex projects where the exact answer is unclear or the problem isn’t easily solvable, yet still maintains a problem-solving orientation in the pursuit of creative solutions and is able to manage through completion.
  • Exceptional writer and communicator; differentiates communication methods and styles to appeal and engage diverse constituents.
  • Strong attention to detail; adept at managing multiple moving parts, minimizing errors, and learning quickly from past mistakes.
  • Superior finance and budget management skills.
  • Adept at understanding motivations and barriers of stakeholders to tailor stewardship approaches and present a case for support that compels others to invest in our work.
  • Demonstrates exceptional professionalism, poise, and judgment at all times, often interacting with confidential information.

Work Demands:

  • Ability to conduct in-person meetings.
  • Occasional weekend or evening work may be required.

THE TEAM

Our team is made up of hard working, dedicated members that are truly passionate about education. We are continuously growing and joining us means making an impact, touching people’s lives, and being part of a larger vision to ensure that every person can use digital learning to reach their full potential. 

NEXT STEPS

Interested in this position? Apply now! Scroll down to the bottom of the page and fill in the fields in the form below. If you still have questions regarding the role, feel free to contact our recruitment team at [email protected] .

All interested candidates should send their CVs and a Letter of Motivation, and a portfolio of previous written/successful programs (names of the program and supporting donor) to: [email protected] the latest by 25 February 2022.

Applicants who meet the qualification criteria, send all documents, and are shortlisted will be notified for an interview.