Manager of Advancement for Kyrgyzstan

Manager of Advancement for Kyrgyzstan

Maternity replacement

Department: Advancement and Public Affairs (APA)

Reporting to: Director, APA

Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Deadline: 5 November 2025

Position Summary:

The incumbent will be responsible for the planning and implementation of UCA’s development strategies related to fundraising in Central Asia, and Kyrgyzstan in particular. He/she will identify and work with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and international partners to address the growing operational and capital needs of the University. One of the key roles of the Manager is to encourage senior staff and faculty in developing attractive gift opportunities and fundraising proposals to garner support for capital investments, ongoing academic programmes, new initiatives, annual giving, and alumni contributions.

The Manager will assist the Director of Advancement and Public Affairs (APA) in overseeing the University’s fundraising campaigns and annual giving drives; develop and administer donor recognition policies; establish ongoing dialogue and communication with existing and potential donors; and effectively track fundraising pledges, collections, and acknowledgement of gifts.

In addition to responsibilities related to resource mobilization, this position requires the incumbent to have an in-depth understanding of communication and marketing techniques to effectively create awareness and cultivate a broad range of potential donors.

Why Join UCA?

• Impactful Teaching and Research: Contribute to an academic institution that is dedicated to fostering innovation and development in Central Asia and beyond.
• Collaboration and Growth: Be part of a diverse, interdisciplinary academic environment, with opportunities for collaboration and research across multiple fields of societal relevance.
• Regional Leadership: Lead the development of innovative solutions to regional challenges in climate adaptation, sustainable development, technology, data science, and digital policy.
• Support for Female Scholars: UCA is deeply committed to supporting all scholars in all fields, providing opportunities to further advance gender equity in academia.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director of APA in developing and achieving fundraising goals, strategies, plans, and objectives for potential donors in Central Asia.
• Identify prospects and develop strategies to cultivate and solicit major gifts from corporations, and high-net-worth individuals in Kyrgyzstan.
• Prepare fundraising proposals and gift opportunities for soliciting donations from existing as well as new prospects.
• Identify and analyze information pertinent to the development of relationships with potential individual donors and corporations.
• Prepare and present fundraising status reports to University officials.
• Develop and administer recognition policies and establish ongoing dialogue and communication with existing and potential donors.
• Visit donors, donor organizations, and foundations throughout Kyrgyzstan to raise awareness of the University’s programmes, new initiatives, and achievements, with the objective of soliciting gifts.
• Supervise and implement an effective programme of communication and stewardship for all donors and prospects.
• Organize events on campus and elsewhere to showcase key programmes and achievements of UCA, with the objective of creating awareness and seeking donor support.
• Plan and manage various campaigns and annual giving drives to achieve established fund raising targets and goals.
• Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers in various donor geographies, to ensure they become effective in donor research, cultivation, solicitation (where appropriate), and follow up.
• Establish systems for the effective tracking of fundraising drives, pledges, collections, acknowledgement of gifts, and timely collection of pledges.
• Cultivate relationships with Central Asian and international media to give UCA greater regional and global exposure.
• Provide strategic guidance to all entities and officers of the University on communications and marketing, media engagement, and donor event planning and management.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of APA including other tasks related to the core responsibilities and duties of this position, as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Master’s degree, preferably in business, marketing, public relations, fundraising, government, or other germane fields. Relevant experience in lieu of a Master’s degree may be considered in exceptional cases.
• At least ten years of experience in the corporate, business, or marketing profession. Previous fundraising experience is desirable.
• The ability to motivate volunteers to engage with potential donors and ensure effective follow-up.
• Maturity and ability to work with senior persons, including UCA’s management team.
• Ability and stamina to travel regionally and internationally.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fundraising and communications for an innovative institution like UCA requires the ability to think creatively, and a strong commitment to the mission and objectives of the University.
• Demonstrated record of establishing relationships and rapport with the media.
• Fluency in English, Kyrgyz, and Russian. Ability to speak in Tajik and Kazakh, an asset.

UCA Background:

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 as a private, not for profit, secular university through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan; ratified by their respective parliaments, and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of the University and His Highness is the Chancellor. UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities, by offering an internationally recognised standard of higher education, and enabling the peoples of the region to preserve their rich cultural heritage as assets for the future. UCA brings with it the broader commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network.

How to Apply:

Ready to join our team? We kindly invite you to submit your application for this position by clicking the Apply button on this page. To facilitate a smooth application process, please create an account on our website. Be assured that the account setup and application steps are straightforward.

Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.