Associate Director – Development
1. POSITION VACANT: Associate Director – Development, Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy (JCCD)
2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:
Janaagraha is a non-profit trust, established in 2001, working towards the mission of transforming quality of life in India’s cities and towns. It works with citizens to catalyse active citizenship in city neighbourhoods and with governments to institute reforms to city governance (what it calls “City-Systems”).
Janaagraha is part of the JANA Group – one of India’s best-known groups of not-for-profit institutions working towards the mission of fixing India’s cities. Swati Ramanathan and Ramesh Ramanathan co-founded Jana Group in 2001, and it presently works across citizen participation and city governance reforms (through Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy), city planning and design (through Jana Urban Space Foundation), municipal consulting services (through Jana Urban Services for Transformation Pvt. Ltd.), banking and financial services for the urban poor (through Jana Small Finance Bank), and affordable housing for the urban poor (through Janaadhar).
For more information about Janaagraha, please visit http://www.janaagraha.org
3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Director – Development, the Associate Director will combine fundraising excellence, operational rigor, and narrative depth, translating complex governance reforms into compelling and fundable propositions while ensuring execution discipline across the development pipeline.
Key Responsibilities:
A. Fundraising Strategy & Execution
(1) Translate organisational priorities into a clear and actionable fundraising pipeline;
(2) Own end-to-end fundraising cycles: opportunity identification, proposal development, submission, and closure;
(3) Build and manage a predictable, diversified revenue pipeline aligned to multi-year program goals.
B. Proposal Development & Investment Narratives
(1) Develop high-quality concept notes, proposals, and pitch decks grounded in Jana’s city-systems approach;
(2) Ensure all materials reflect Jana’s systems-change approach.
C. Donor Management & Stewardship
(1) Manage ongoing donor relationships individually with a focus on delivery, reporting, and long-term engagement;
(2) Ensure high-quality, timely donor reporting aligned to program outcomes and financials;
(3) Track commitments, renewals, and compliance requirements across the portfolio.
D. Internal Alignment & Strategic Support
(1) Work closely with Program, Strategy, and Finance teams to ensure strong alignment between fundraising and program strategy;
(2) Support the Director – Development on strategic planning, budgeting, high-priority donor engagements, and institutional positioning and communication.
E. Team Coordination
(1) Work collaboratively with team members within the Development function;
(2) Build capabilities in proposal writing, donor reporting, and pipeline management;
(3) Foster a culture aligned with Jana’s Culture Codes.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualifications and Experience:
(1) Minimum 15 years of experience in fundraising, strategic partnerships, or donor engagement within the social impact sector;
(2) Demonstrated success in securing large multi-year grants (USD 1Mn+) from global philanthropic institutions, CSRs and/or UHNIs.
Skills and Competencies:
(1) Deep understanding of systems change approaches and how to communicate them effectively;
(2) Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with a portfolio of successful proposals;
(3) Strong network within the philanthropic ecosystem is a plus;
(4) Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and collaborate across diverse teams.
5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:
The compensation offered for the position is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
6. DURATION: The initial fixed term duration will be for two years; potential for renewal.
7. LOCATION: Bengaluru
8. REFERENCE: AD-DEV-JCCD
9. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612
10. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to apply by or before August 20, 2026.
Janaagraha is an equal opportunity employer and offers a highly dynamic and enabling work environment.
