THE MAISHA FOUNDATION
Dinter Consulting is conducting a search for:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (New York based)
The Maisha Foundation, a unique young organization which empowers East Africans through training in filmmaking, seeks an Executive Director. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and will oversee the operations in New York and in Uganda.
ABOUT THE MAISHA FOUNDATION
Founded in 2004, The Maisha Foundation has the goal of enriching world cinema through the development of East African films, and establishing a self-sustaining, local film industry in East Africa. Over the past seven years, 400 East African filmmakers have participated in Maisha’s intensive Film Labs, taught on-site by prominent international filmmakers. While supporting and sustaining the Film Labs, the next goal for Maisha is to create an Arts and Cultural Center in Kampala, Uganda.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION
Areas of Responsibility:
Leadership and vision: Working with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic long- and short-term vision for the organization and ensures that Maisha enacts this vision to its greatest capacity.
Development and Fundraising: The primary responsibility of the Executive Director is to formulate and implement a strategy for development and fundraising, to maintain current funding sources, and to expand the funding base in order to support Maisha’s organizational needs, the Film Labs and, in future, the building of the Arts and Cultural Center. This will require:
● Identifying prospective major donors and foundations and determining outreach efforts to develop and grow the donor base
● Cultivating relationships with a targeted group of new and existing donors
● Writing compelling grant proposals, letters and detailed reports outlining the use of funds
● Forging new relationships and maintaining existing ones with foundation officers
● Coordinating logistics for, preparing materials for, and completing all follow-up tasks from donor and foundation meetings and visits
● Communicating with donors through e-mail and customized outreach efforts
● Building and managing the donor database and donor giving histories
● Generating reports that will be used an integral part of Maisha’s strategic planning and tracking efforts
● Organizing all aspects of donor and foundation cultivation events
Coordination between the United States and East Africa: The Executive Director is responsible for managing and coordinating the relationship with the staff in Uganda, in order to maximize collaboration and the success of the programs.
Budget and Finance: The Executive Director has responsibility for developing and monitoring the budget and finances of the organization.
Operations: The Executive Director will manage and have oversight for the New York and Uganda offices and staff.
Board Relations and Development: The Executive Director will cultivate, manage and support the leadership of the Board of Directors, and aid in building the Board and educating new members about the organization and their responsibilities.
Public Relations and Communications: The Executive Director serves as a key spokesperson for Maisha and manages Maisha’s communications, media and outreach strategies, as well as its social media presence. A main priority is to raise the profile of the organization in the media to give Maisha greater international recognition, and to assure consistency in Maisha’s PR strategy and language in all outreach efforts.
Qualifications:
● Minimum five years of development, direct sales, marketing or business development experience in a service industry or with a nonprofit.
● Entrepreneurial individual, capable of a creative approach to issues
● Clear record of achieving revenue goals
● Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage new and existing donors and foundations
● Proven record of making major donor asks
● Strong verbal communications skills
● Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively, including grant proposals, letters and reports
● Experience in internal and external events including planning, execution and follow up
● Solid computer skills and ability to effectively manage databases and data
● Experience with social media and its use in fund raising
● High energy, “can-do,” and goal–oriented attitude
● Great attention to detail
● Experience in developing diversified revenue portfolios
● Highly organized, flexible and self directed.
● Comfortable working both from home and in a small office and being an integral part of the team
● Has passion for this mission and high ethical standards
International travel will be an essential component of the position.
How to Apply:
The Maisha Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Prospective candidates should send a resume and a cover letter, which outlines how the candidate matches the needs of this organization, relevant experience, and salary requirements. The deadline for applications is 6 May. Please send by email only to maisha.dinterconsulting@gmail.com. No telephone inquiries.