Resource Mobilisation Coordinator (Kyrgyzstan)

Resource Mobilisation Coordinator (Kyrgyzstan)

Department: Office of Research and Development (ORD)

Reports to: Director of ORD

Duty Station: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Deadline: 27 October 2025

Position Summary

The University of Central Asia (UCA) is seeking a strategic and dynamic Resource Mobilisation Coordinator to help drive our research and development agenda in Kyrgyzstan and across the wider Central Asian region. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the university’s ambitious mission to contribute to research driven development in the mountain societies of Central Asia.

As Coordinator, you will not only identify and pursue funding opportunities, but also shape compelling proposals, forge relationships with donors and partners, and position UCA as a leader in cutting-edge, impact-driven research and programmes. Working closely with faculty, researchers, and institutional partners, you will help translate innovative ideas into well-resourced programmes addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges: climate resilience, sustainable development, digital transformation, and cultural heritage preservation.

This is more than a coordination role — it is a chance to shape UCA’s research and development agenda and leave a lasting mark on the future of mountain societies in Central Asia. You will work closely with UCA’s faculty, researchers, and institutional partners to help translate ideas into competitive proposals that secure resources to fulfil UCA’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Opportunity Scanning and Positioning: Track, analyse, and prioritise emerging grant opportunities aligned with UCA’s research and programmatic strengths.
• Proposal Development: Support and coordinate the design of high-quality, competitive proposals by facilitating collaboration between faculty, researchers, and external partners.
• Donor Engagement: Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector funders, showcasing UCA’s unique value proposition.
• Compliance and Stewardship: Ensure proposals and awards adhere to donor and institutional requirements, while supporting effective reporting and accountability.
• Regional Collaboration: Lead on Kyrgyzstan-focused activities, while contributing to initiatives across UCA’s multi-country footprint (Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan).
• Strategic Contribution: Play an active role in strengthening UCA’s long-term funding base.

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.

Detailed Duties and Responsibilities:

Funding Opportunity Identification

• Proactively research, identify and disseminate funding opportunities.
• Support development and circulation of weekly funding bulletins.
• Continuously analyse and assess the donor landscape and proactively support the diversification of UCA’s funding partnerships.

Pre-Award Support

• Advise researchers, faculty and staff on eligibility, donor guidelines, and proposal requirements.

• Assist in the preparation of proposal narratives, budgets, and supporting documents for grant submissions.
• Coordinate internal review and approval processes to ensure timely submission.

Post-Award Administration

• Serve as the primary point of contact for donors supporting the University’s research and development activities.
• Once a grant is secured, organise and conduct grant handover meetings with relevant stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing grant administration support throughout the project life-cycle.
• Review project progress/interim/final reports and supporting documents to ensure quality and consistency.
• Maintain accurate grant records, including proposals, budgets, agreements, narrative reports and other relevant documents.
• At the end of the project life-cycle, lead on grant closeout, effectively communicating with internal stakeholders.

Compliance and Capacity Building

• Support internal training sessions and workshops for researchers, faculty and staff on grant processes and compliance requirements.
• Support researchers, faculty and staff with meeting compliance obligations during the project life-cycle.

Relationship Management

• Build strong relationships with external funding agencies and partners, as well as with internal stakeholders across the University.
• Act as the principal point of contact for internal queries related to funding opportunities in Kyrgyzstan and proposal status.
• Represent UCA at external events, as required.
• Cultivate strong relations with partner agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Reporting and Data Management

• Ensure timely and proper filing of all relevant documents for submitted proposals and awarded grants
• Ensure the accurate recording of grant applications in the University’s funding pipeline.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in a relevant field.
• 3-5 years of progressive experience in resource mobilization and grant management in a university or international development context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Russian, knowledge of Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Tajik is desirable.
• Comprehensive knowledge of funding agency guidelines, compliance regulations, and research administration best practices.
• Strong organizational, time management and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Proven ability to work under the pressure of long- and short-term deadlines.
• Excellent team-player with good interpersonal skills.
• Relevant computer skills using MS Office applications.
• Knowledge of accounting and budget processes are an advantage.
• Ability to travel to UCA programmatic areas.

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.

Candidates from the founding countries of UCA: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan are encouraged to apply for the position.

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