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Senior Manager – Middle East Engagement & Forum Secretariat

Entity

Aga Khan University - Global

Location

Global

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, it is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, Aga Khan University (AKU) provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programmes and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Responsibilities

The Senior Manager, Middle East Engagement & Forum Secretariat will serve as University Advancement’s representative in the Middle East, while providing dedicated support to the Middle East Leadership Forum.

Working closely with the Chief Advancement Officer and the Chair of the Forum, the Senior Manager will strengthen AKU’s relationships and presence across the region and support Advancement priorities in fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, events and strategic partnerships.

This position is based in Dubai and requires flexibility to engage with stakeholders across the Middle East and AKU colleagues internationally. This role will contribute to the effective operation of the Forum and ensure timely follow-through on opportunities, relationships and commitments arising through the Forum and AKU’s broader Advancement activities.

Key Responsibilities

  • Coordinate day-to-day operations of the University Advancement and Middle East Leadership Forum, including meetings, agendas, briefing materials, follow-up and tracking of agreed actions.
  • Support the development and cultivation of donor and philanthropic relationships across the Middle East through research, engagement, proposals and appropriate follow-up.
  • Support donor stewardship, recognition and engagement activities.
  • Strengthen AKU alumni engagement across the region and facilitate meaningful connections between alumni, Forum members and AKU leadership.
  • Support events, partnerships and stakeholder engagement initiatives that advance AKU’s priorities in the Middle East.
  • Identify and follow through on opportunities arising through the Forum and other regional engagements.
  • Ensure Advancement and Forum activities are undertaken in accordance with AKU policies and applicable legal and regulatory requirements, in coordination with relevant institutional functions.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Communications, International Relations, Public Relations, Social Sciences or a related discipline. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline would be preferred.
  • Approximately 7–10 years of relevant professional experience in advancement, philanthropy, external affairs, corporate relations, business development, partnerships, stakeholder engagement or a related field.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with senior executives, donors and influential stakeholders.
  • Strong research, communication, organizational, project-management and follow-through skills.
  • Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a geographically dispersed team.
  • Strong commitment to AKU’s mission and values.
  • Experience or knowledge of higher education, healthcare, research, philanthropy or the not-for-profit sector would be an asset.

To Apply

This is initially a one-year contractual position, extendable with mutual consent. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted 

Interested candidates should submit thier CVs to  human.resources@aku.edu and mention Senior Manager – Middle East Engagement & Forum Secretariat in the subject line.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.

Applications should be submitted latest by November 6, 2026