Africa University, a Pan African and United Methodist Church Related Institution in Zimbabwe, invites applications from suitably qualified and well experienced persons to fill the following strategic position:

DIRECTOR, ADVANCEMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor/CEO and in close collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, the Director leads and manages all functions of the Office of Advancement and Public Affairs (OSPA). The Director ensures the effective and efficient execution of efforts to grow philanthropic investment in the university from African sources. Key areas of focus/responsibility: Resource mobilization across Africa (making friends and raising funds for Africa University), public affairs, marketing, and alumni relations.

Applicants should have the following qualifications and attributes:

• Master’s degree in Development/Institutional Advancement
• Minimum of seven years of direct responsibilities in institutional advancement arena, with at least three years in supervisory management.
• A proven track record of fundraising success in Africa especially documented solicitation and delivery of numerous major gifts.
• Experience in higher education and/or nonprofit sector.
• High ethical standards and ability to handle confidential/sensitive gift and donor information appropriately.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with high level stakeholders such as Board members and members of the national accrediting authority as well as prospects, donors, students, faculty, alumni and University friends from all walks of life.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of /and respect for the professional code of ethics related to advancement, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.
• Experience in working with software applications relevant to the advancement profession.
• Strong familiarity with The United Methodist Church’s polity, structure and mission, an asset.
• Multilingual competence or openness to learning the most widely-spoken languages in sub-Saharan Africa is desired.

 

Responsibilities:

• Develop (in collaboration with the VC and AVCIA) a strategic plan for the OAPA, including mission, goals, actions, timelines and targets for individual and corporate philanthropic gifts, university communications/marketing efforts, and alumni engagement.
• Execute relationship-building and fundraising activities to meet the university’s resource mobilization goals for Africa.
• Implement and manage campus-based policies, processes and procedures for donor research and donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Keep accurate records of prospective contributors, gifts, donor correspondence, calls and visits. Produce reports that summarize results of fundraising efforts of the OAPA, listing names of donors and contributions by category.
• Direct all Africa-based fundraising plans and schedule of gift solicitation activities to cultivate and secure major gifts based on annual targets, as agreed with the Vice Chancellor/CEO.
• Maintain up-to-date files on all donor-supported projects, offices, activities, staff positions and students that document progress, outcomes and beneficiary appreciation (such as photographs, video testimonials, biographies, CVs, and letters of thanks.
• Train, inspire and supervise a team of four (4) direct reports towards accountable, goal-oriented outcomes.
• Engage other senior administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni to enhance the culture of philanthropy within the university community.
• Strengthen cooperative working relationships with university units, faculty, and staff whose cooperation is essential to effective outreach and fundraising.
• Provide leadership to constituent relations programs in the areas of alumni relations, parent relations, church relations, and other key constituent relations.
• Devise and implement effective internal and external messaging and methods of advancement communication (such as stories, videos, publicity materials, print and e-publications, website content, proposals, special correspondence, and donor recognition tools).
• Ensure ongoing access to background information, articles, photographs and video footage that documents major events, developments and successes of the university, with particular focus on the contributions of faculty, students and alumni towards the realization of the university’s mission.
• Oversee university-wide media relations, including preparing news releases, statements, and other materials; encouraging media coverage of university accomplishments/successes and contributions; and ensuring timely and effective handling of media calls and requests.
• Serve as an exemplary University advocate in the community, with local leaders, religious organizations, business and corporate partnerships, and other leaders, and build relationships that closely link the community with the university.
• Be active and involved in the advancement profession and keep Africa University visible among higher education peer institutions.
• Embody values of caring, compassion, justice, integrity, competence, and affirmation.

TO APPLY
Applications together with six (6) copies (applies if application is in hard copy format) of Curriculum vitae, certified copies and certificates, academic transcripts and at least three names of referees with their e-mail, phone numbers and postal addresses should be forwarded to:          
Assistant Registrar - Human Resources & Administration
Africa University
P. O. Box 1320
Mutare
Zimbabwe or email to:careers@africau.edu

*NB: The closing date for applications is 15 April 2018

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be responded to.