CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

1. Armenia Fund U.S.A (NYC, NY, U.S.A.): Director of Development
2. NEW: Hayastan All-Armenian Fund (Yerevan, Armenia): Business Director of Agro Projects

1. Director of Development

Basic Function:

Responsible for the design, management and implementation of the major giving program, the Director of Development will have a significant impact on the organization’s future ability to continue to fund large-scale infrastructure initiatives in the developing nations of Armenia and neighboring Nagorno-Karabakh.

Reports To:

Executive Director

Major Responsibilities:

1. Oversee and manage all aspects of Major Gift fundraising as it relates to the $5,000 to $99,999 levels. Prepare written materials including correspondence and solicitation materials. Also have direct involvement in the preparation of press releases, newsletter and PR material as it relates to major gift fundraising.
2. Serve as primary liaison with Major Gifts Committee. Work with this board committee to develop levels. Develop strategies to reach fundraising goals for each level. Confer with delegated board members regarding strategies and progress.
3. Identify, research cultivate and solicit qualified prospects for major gifts. Maintain individual donor profiles and all communication with next-steps on qualified prospects and donors.
4. Maintain prospect/donor database as it relates to Major Giving and employ prospect “moves management” to administer systematic cultivation process for prospects. Responsible for defining a “strategic action plan” for each prospect based on data available and supervising its use in solicitation of gifts to closure. Confer with Executive Director and/or appropriate board members in determining strategy and priority of prospects to approach.
5. Coordinate Major Gift cultivation and recognition events with assistance of office personnel and/or with community volunteer leaders in several Eastern U.S. cities.
6. Attend local concerts, receptions, political events and cultivation events as required. Attend regional functions of the organization throughout the Eastern U.S. as required.
7. Manage stewardship of major gift donors, receiving feedback, additional prospect leads, volunteer help and coordinate testimonials for further marketing/donation building purposes. Develop programs of public recognition for volunteers and contributors.
8. Develop short and long-term goals with Executive Director that are reviewed periodically and that are both challenging and realistic.
9. Prepare concise, comparative reports for quarterly board meetings, showing areas of improvement and progress toward all stated goals.

Other Responsibilities:

• Provide support in all areas of development for the organization.
• Stay current with industry trends, as well as events of Armenia and the Diaspora.
• Work collaboratively with parent organization and other affiliates.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Challenges & Opportunities:

• This newly developed position offers the opportunity to create a permanent, comprehensive major giving program that will be held up as a standard for the other affiliates within the international Armenia Fund family.
• The position is a leadership position that will guide the organization in major gift concepts and how it relates to the other areas of development. The position will help establish a “Major Gift Committee” within the board structure.
• The position provides opportunity to make recommended changes to existing development policies or to establish new practices and policies in association with outside consultants and with Executive Director and board approval.
• The position involves a significant number of personal visits and extensive communication by phone and letter in order to build a relationship that motivates the donor to give generously. Written materials may include donor/prospect surveys to ascertain interests.
• The position will rely on innovative cultivation strategies to stimulate interest on the part of potential donors who may be indifferent to proposals or have other giving priorities.

Performance Measurements:

• Based on amount raised in relation to established annual target.
• Based on number of new donors at major gift level in relation to established target.
• Based on number of substantive contacts showing related actions and outcomes.
• Based on percentage of moves made per cultivation stage.
• Based on customer satisfaction levels per 360° evaluation including ratings from donors, colleagues, subordinates, Executive Director.

Position Relationships:

• Works with Marketing/Public Relations Manager regarding publications, brochures, media releases, etc.
• Works with Office/Database Administrator regarding gift entry, report generation.
• Works with fundraising consultant regarding design of program.
• Works with the board committee members designated for major gift fundraising.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree desirable.
• Five years experience in fundraising with at least 3-5 years in major gift fundraising. Must have proven track record of garnering support of five and six-figured gifts.
• CFRE certification desired. Involvement with professional organizations expected.
• Experience in international development/emergency relief support, multiple-affiliate organizational structures or ethnic-based fundraising desired. Knowledge of the Armenian language, culture and/or current events desired, but not necessary.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and some travel.
• Experience with word processing and spread sheet applications. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other donor database a plus.
• Excellent personal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks.

Please send all credentials including cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:

[email protected]

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Ste 301
New York , NY 10038

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2. Business Director of Agro Projects

Background Information:

International donors to Armenia Fund (Himnadram) have contributed funds for initiating three to four Agricultural Projects (Agro Projects) in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) and Armenia. These projects are designed to upgrade the agricultural production capacity of small private land holders and increase their net income. This will, in time, allow them to participate in investments focused on improved agricultural practices, permit them to gain access to credit and, later, assist them in participating in value-added agricultural processing projects. All of these actions have the objective of raising the standard of living of near-subsistence level farmers while at the same time contributing to the food security of their country.

The most immediate need is to assure that the farmers have reliable access to agricultural equipment services for tilling, planting and harvesting a variety of crops, and can benefit from technical help for implementing better farming techniques. Machinery and equipment presently used, from the Soviet Era, is aging to the point of very low efficiency and is being reduced in number every season, so that small farmers in remote villages are either not served or served late, and have to pay exorbitant usage fees.

Each Agro Project is centered on a joint stock company (Agricultural Services Company) which allocates donor funds to purchase farm equipment, to establish an operations center to house and maintain it, and to hire a local management and operating team with the capability to provide the needed services for a fee.

A second type of organization, the Agricultural Development Association, is being formed to include the farmers receiving the services as members. These members, as a group, will give guidance and establish priorities as to the type of services needed and, in future, will participate in investments for their mutual benefit in agricultural processing subprojects.

To create and assure sustainable projects, the services provided to farmers need to be timely and of reliable quality, and the farmers must make payments in advance for the services to be received.

Purpose of Position (Job Description)

The position of a Business Director of Agro Projects is being created to provide direction, guidance and assistance to above mentioned two types of organization within the Agro Projects, and in formulating and implementing a business plan that achieves the organizations’ objectives.

Major responsibilities include maximizing utilization of the equipment purchased, improving the marketing of the agricultural equipment services to the farmers, and providing assistance to the Agricultural Service Companies in budgeting, projecting and managing cash flow, keeping accurate cost accounting records, and training the accounting personnel of each Agro Project.

The Business Director will need to develop a thorough understanding of each Agricultural Service Company’s income sources and of the timing of revenues and expenses so that cash flow can be monitored and controlled.

Organizational Relationships

The Business Director will report directly to the Executive Management of Himnadram and will coordinate closely with the Boards of Directors of the various Agricultural Service Companies.

The Business Director will work collaboratively with senior professional advisors and consultants, other Himnadram staff and Government Officials (both local and national). The Business Director is therefore required to develop effective working relationships with key management and advisory personnel associated with each Agro Project.

Systems Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of computerized financial packages and information systems packages.
• Familiarity with databases and systems for the purpose of data collection for financial and budgetary planning.
• High level computing skills, including the Microsoft Office suite and particularly the manipulation of Excel spreadsheets.
• Fluent in speaking and writing Armenian and English.

Major Duties

• Develop procedures for communications between the Village heads in areas served and the representatives of the Agricultural Service Companies (including the Wheat Enhancement Program and any other improvement programs which may be launched in future). This should provide clear and accurate information for marketing the services to the farmers of each Village, including contracting procedures, as well as explanations of the advantages to be gained by the farmers by using such services.
• Develop advertising techniques such as brochures, signs near the operating centers, signs near the field crop test and demonstration plots, and signs near the lands that are being used for wheat seed production. Devise a program for visits by the Village heads and key farmers to the crop demonstration fields with presentations made by technical staff of the Agricultural Services Companies
• Open communications with local Banks to seek short-term micro-credit for farmers for a portion of the service fees that must be paid prior to providing the services. Seek a repayment date that coincides with the completion of the harvest of the farmers’ crops. • Be responsible for monitoring all Bank accounts related to the Agro Projects.
• Develop, implement and maintain systems and processes, in collaboration with senior Himnadram staff and advisors that will permit the Agricultural Services Companies to efficiently and effectively meet their strategic goals including becoming financially self sufficient entities. This will include guidance and participation in the preparation of annual budgets and monthly cash flow projections for each Agricultural Services Company.
• Maintain current information on the status of each Agricultural Service Company’s financial position and on the type and extent of services performed. Develop and train staff on the process of reporting this information on a quarterly basis to the Executive Director of Himnadram, and the Board of Directors of each Agro Project.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial practices by proactively reviewing work processes and maintaining liaison with relevant staff and advisors to implement improvements.
• Work with NKR Government officials to finalize the paperwork and legal requirements relative to establishing the Agricultural Service Companies and the Agricultural Service Associations
• Spend at least 10 days a month in the NKR, during the spring, summer and fall and make at least two coordinating and planning visits per month during the winter months. Initially be prepared to operate full-time from Stepanakert, for a period of three to four months to become fully familiar with the situation.

Selection Criteria

Essential Qualifications

1. Completion of or progress towards completion of a postgraduate degree in Business or Commerce (or closely related discipline) complemented by experience in a financial role or an equivalent combination of relevant experience, education and/or training.
2. Demonstrated experience in a position requiring participation in financial and budget control and management of systems pertaining to cash flow management and operating cost records.
3. Written communication skills (English and Armenian) that demonstrate skills in the preparation of clear and concise reports, plans and complex correspondence. Capability to send e-mail communications and reports and spreadsheet attachments.
4. Interpersonal communication skills, sympathy to cultural diversity, with experience in negotiating with varied groups. Some experience in training of staff of a lower level.
5. Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of a team to achieve team based outcomes and to encourage focus and self motivation in other staff members.
6. Demonstrated ability to display initiative, contribute new ideas, critically evaluate current systems and processes, and contribute to improvements in the provision of services at a strategic level.
7. Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills leading to practical recommendations and advice.
8. Proven ability to effectively guide, supervise and manage staff to achieve operational objectives and manage workloads to meet deadlines.
9. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
10. Demonstrated computing skills, including the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Word.

Desirable Qualifications

1. Previously lived in a rural environment or spent some years on a farm developing a basic understanding of agricultural production and agricultural economics.

Information for Applicants:

This position is open only to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Armenia and who will reside in Yerevan.

Applications:

Applicants are encouraged to systematically address the selection criteria and include a copy of personal resume (CV), academic qualifications and experience plus the names, addresses (postal and/or e-mail), and phone and fax numbers of three references.

Applications must be submitted to:

Executive Director
“Hayastan” All Armenian Fund (Armenia Fund)
Government Building No. 3
Yerevan, Armenia 375010

Phone: +(37410)520940, +(37410)526474
Fax: +(37410)523795
E-mail: [email protected]

Compensation and Allowances:

To be discussed

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