Project Yananai
Website:
yananai.org
Job details:
National Head of Funding and Grants Management – India
Location: India (remote, homebased)
Reports to: Deputy Chief Advancement Officer – Resource Mobilisation (Global Executive Leadership Team), with matrix reporting to Country Director – India
Direct Reports: Mission Funding Executives (India National Team)
Contract Type: Commission-Based Contract (Self-Employed)
Start Date: Immediate
Lead National Funding Strategy. Secure Transformational Resources. Build Local Capability.
Project Yananai Foundation is seeking an exceptional, results-driven fundraising professional to serve as National Head of Funding and Grants Management for our India National Management Team. This is a pivotal leadership role for an experienced grants and fundraising specialist who can secure resources from diverse sources while building the capability of a growing team through hands-on coaching, training, and mentorship.
If you are a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, deep experience in the Indian funding landscape, and a passion for community transformation, this role offers you the platform to drive sustainable change at national scale.
About Project Yananai Foundation
Project Yananai Foundation is a Section 8 company (not-for-profit) registered with the Government of India Ministry of Corporate Affairs and therefore subject to the statutory minimu waiting period before we can receive external funds. This presents a unique challenge - and a unique opportunity for a resourceful, creative, and determined professional to help the team navigate this critical phase.
The Foundation is part of Project Yananai, a global non-profit headquartered in the United Kingdom, with Affiliate Entities and National Management Teams in India, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals and communities by fostering enduring relationships, enhancing sustainable skills, and delivering compassionate humanitarian aid. Rooted in Christian values, we are dedicated to nurturing resilient societies that are self-sufficient and equipped to break cycles of poverty.
Our integrated Theory of Change - the Project Yananai Ecosystem - brings together three core activities that work synergistically to create lasting impact: Family Foundations, Sustainable Skills Development and Relief Operations.
Our governance and leadership structure is clear and accountable, with the Board of Trustees providing strategic oversight and the Global Executive Leadership Team (GELT) setting vision and strategy. The Advancement Division is structured around three pillars—Fundraising, Strategic Partnerships, and Communications.
The Role
As National Head of Funding and Grants Management for India, you will be the strategic lead and hands-on driver of Project Yananai Foundation's resource mobilisation efforts in country. You will identify, cultivate, and secure funding from local sources within India - including Indian trusts and foundations, corporate partners, high-net-worth individuals, and philanthropic networks - to support the expansion of Community Learning Hubs, 'The Journey' course, and Relief Operations across India.
This role requires exceptional ingenuity and resourcefulness in accordance with a newly registered Section 8 company. The post holder will need to identifying innovative pathways to secure local resources within the scope of fundraising limitations.
This is a true player-coach role: you will personally lead high-value funding opportunities and donor relationships while simultaneously building the capability of your team through training, coaching, and mentorship. You will work in close collaboration with colleagues at national and international level to ensure a coordinated, high-impact approach to global fundraising.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Develop and execute a comprehensive national funding strategy for India, aligned with Project Yananai's global strategy and Theory of Change, and adapted to the constraints of the three-year statutory period.
- Identify and prioritise funding opportunities within India, including Indian trusts and foundations, corporate partners, high-net-worth individuals, and philanthropic networks.
- Set ambitious income targets for the India national team and monitor progress against key performance indicators.
Hands-On Fundraising & Donor Engagement
- Personally manage a portfolio of priority donor relationships in India
- Lead the development of compelling funding proposals
- Represent Project Yananai Foundation at national and regional fundraising forums, donor meetings, and stakeholder engagements
Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Mission Funding Executives, ensuring they have the support, resources, and guidance to achieve their individual and collective targets.
- Design and deliver training and professional development initiatives that strengthen fundraising capability within the India national team, embedding best practice in donor cultivation, proposal development, grant management, and stewardship.
- Serve as a coach and mentor
Pipeline Development & Donor Research
- Oversee the development and management of a robust funding pipeline for India, ensuring a healthy balance of prospects across all funding streams.
- Conduct prospect research to identify Indian trusts, foundations, corporate partners, and high-net-worth individuals with alignment to Project Yananai's mission.
Grant Management & Compliance
- Ensure all funding proposals and grants comply with organisational policies, donor requirements, and Indian regulatory standards, including safeguarding, anti-fraud, and data protection.
- Oversee the timely submission of high-quality donor reports from the India portfolio, ensuring compliance and stewardship excellence.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with the Country Director – India to align funding strategy with national program priorities and operational needs.
- Work closely with program, finance, and communications colleagues to ensure funding proposals are technically sound, financially robust, and compellingly presented.
- Collaborate with your counterparts in South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to share learning and maximise organisational impact.
About You
Essential Experience & Track Record
- Minimum 7–10 years' experience in fundraising, grants management, or resource mobilisation, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
- Proven track record of securing funding from Indian trusts, foundations, corporate partners, or high-net-worth individuals.
- Deep understanding of the Indian philanthropic landscape, including Indian trusts and foundations, corporate social responsibility (CSR) structures, and high-net-worth individual giving.
- Experience in a player-coach role, combining personal fundraising execution with team leadership and capability building.
- Demonstrated resourcefulness and ingenuity in navigating complex funding environments.
Skills & Competencies
- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors, partners, and colleagues at all levels.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for translating complex programs into compelling funding proposals.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, with experience of budgeting, forecasting, and pipeline management.
- Thorough understanding of grant compliance, donor reporting requirements, and relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Proficiency in CRM systems and fundraising databases.
Personal Qualities
- A hands-on, entrepreneurial leader who thrives on building relationships and unlocking opportunities.
- A committed mentor and coach, genuinely invested in developing the capability of others.
- High integrity, resilience, and adaptability, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.
- Exceptional ingenuity and resourcefulness—comfortable with the challenge of navigating a three-year statutory period and finding creative pathways to local funding.
- Strong alignment with Project Yananai's mission, values, and integrated approach to community transformation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Development, Business, Nonprofit Management, Finance) highly desirable.
- Professional fundraising or grant management qualification is advantageous.
Statutory & Compliance Requirements
The successful candidate will be required to:
- Hold and maintain the correct registrations, including Permanent Account Number (PAN), Professional Tax Registration Certificate (PTRC), and Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration where applicable.
- File their own tax returns (ITR-3 or ITR-4, as appropriate) and comply with all applicable tax laws.
- Maintain accurate records of income and expenses for tax purposes.
Contract Terms & Expectations
Commission-Based Contract
This role is offered on a commission-based contract on a self-employed basis.
Minimum Time Commitment & KPIs
The post holder will be expected to meet agreed minimum time commitments, including:
- Attendance at regular team meetings, training sessions, and coordination calls (schedule to be agreed)
Performance will be measured against agreed productivity KPIs, including:
- Number of active donor relationships cultivated
- Number of funding proposals submitted
What We Offer
- Opportunities for professional development, including access to relevant training and certifications.
- The chance to be part of a pioneering team building sustainable Community Learning Hubs and transforming lives through education and humanitarian action across India.
- A performance-linked commission structure that rewards success and recognises your contribution to building the Foundation's funding base.
Project Yananai is a charity registered in England and Wales number 1209060 and an equal opportunity organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures.
Click on Apply to know more.