Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) Fundraising Consultant

Prishtina, Kosova

POSITION TYPE: Independent Consultant

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 29, 2024

ABOUT KAEF

The Kosovo American Education Fund (KAEF) supports the long-term economic development of Kosova by providing graduate fellowships to promising Kosovars for top-level training at US universities. KAEF was created in 2004 from the sale of assets accumulated by the American Bank of Kosovo, a USAID- funded project. Individual contributions to the fund go directly to the support of KAEF fellows studying in the US.

KAEF is directed by an independent committee of regional experts, business leaders, and program alumni. American Councils for International Education administers the program in collaboration with the committee.

CONSULTANCY SUMMARY

American Councils for International Education and the KAEF Committee seek immediate consulting services to help build the long-term sustainability of the KAEF program through maximizing financial contributions from program’s strategic sponsors in Kosova and abroad.

The KAEF Fundraising Consultant will support the KAEF Committee to design and implement a number of significant fundraising efforts aimed at generating support from program’s strategic sponsors, including major international foundations. Leveraging existing and newly cultivated professional networks,
the KAEF Fundraising Consultant will help identify and implement outreach efforts to the private sector, local stakeholders, and diaspora leaders to build the case for continued financial support for KAEF.
American Councils and the KAEF Committee seek a consultant who approaches her/his work with a passion for program’s mission, promotes the continued impact of KAEF, and offers insights that are creative, entrepreneurial, and meaningful. The KAEF Fundraising Consultant will report to the KAEF Committee.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Working closely with the KAEF Committee, the KAEF Fundraising Consultant will support the following activities:

• Plan and execute the annual fundraising strategies and campaigns.
• Identify and engage with potential donors and sponsors, including international foundations, Kosova's private sector, the diaspora, and online platforms.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders, Kosova’s private sector, including companies with American
  ownership in Kosova.
• Collaborate with alumni to maximize their involvement in fundraising efforts.
• Plan and execute fundraising events and networking opportunities.
• Engage with donors in person, calls, social media, and through every digital channel of communication.
  Adapts communication strategies based on results and feedback.
• Acknowledge and express gratitude to donors and sponsors through personalized messages.
• Advise and coordinate committee members as necessary to drive fundraising results.
• Track progress and provide regular and ad-hoc detailed reports to the committee.
• Collaborate with program managers to align fundraising efforts with the charity's mission and goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

American Councils and the KAEF Committee seek an individual independent consultant possessing:

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in a role that involves fundraising , business development or sales.
• Must be a self-starter, charismatic, collaborative, and tactful in handling stress and criticism.
• A proven ability to communicate effectively to a broad cross-section of stakeholders in both verbal and written form.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills for creating compelling fundraising materials.
• Wide network and connections to businesses in Kosova, Albanian Diaspora, and political and non- political entities in Kosova and the region are preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to personally solicit gifts from identification - cultivation - solicitation -stewardship.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, take initiative, and make effective decisions.
• Proven relationship building, persuasion and influence skills.
• Ability to proactively monitor and adjust activities to respond to changing circumstances and priorities to meet goals, proactively address issues as they arise and mitigate risks associated with events.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities. Experience with client relationship management systems or fundraising systems a plus.
• Passion for education and a commitment to the charity's mission.

TO APPLY

• A CV/resume of not more than 2 pages;
• A cover letter of not more than 300 words (include contacts for 2 references)

Please email your CV/resume and the cover letter to ks@americancouncils.org no later than February 29, 2024.