Communication & Development Officer

Job Description

About ODA Foundation:

Oda Foundation is a non-profit organization working to improve health, education, and overall opportunity for people in Kalikot District, a remote and impoverished region of Nepal. The Foundation partners with community people and local institutions to provide critical services including a 24/7 clinical healthcare facility, education support, and community development programs designed to build long-term independence for the people it serves.

The Oda Foundation, in tandem with local leaders, private partners and government support, develops integrative community development solutions for some of Nepal's most geographically isolated communities.

Job Description:

The Communication and Development Officer will lead the Foundation’s

communication and development efforts, with a strong focus on fundraising and grant writing, donor relations, and board coordination. The role requires effective communication with both the U.S. Board and Nepal Board, development of high-quality proposals, and strategic donor engagement to support all the projects and organizational sustainability. Furthermore, given Oda Foundation’s small and nimble team, we expect this person to wear multiple hats and lean into operational /project support, partnership support in Kathmandu and social media.

Key Responsibilities

Communication

• Serve as a primary communication liaison between the U.S. Board and Nepal Board.
• Prepare clear, compelling updates, reports, and remarks for board members and leadership.
• Ensure consistent, professional, and timely communication across all stakeholders.
• Support internal communications related to strategy, fundraising, and program
• outcomes.
• Collect stories from the village and field related to our operations and translate those
• stories into compelling news letters and social media posts.

Fundraising & Development

• Develop and write funding proposals, including principal gift donor proposals, concept notes, and grant applications.
• Support and implement fundraising strategies aligned with organizational values.
• Identify potential donors, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships in the region and around the world.
• Assist in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and donor outreach initiatives.

Donor Management

• Manage and maintain strong relationships with donors, including major and principal gift donors.
• Prepare donor reports, impact stories, and regular updates demonstrating program outcomes.
• Maintain accurate donor records and communication history.
• Ensure timely acknowledgment and stewardship of donor contributions.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Development Studies, Marketing, or a related field.

Having a background in International Development or International Affairs is not a must but a plus!

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of related professional experience in communications and development.
• Specific experience in writing fundraising proposals is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in a fundraising environment, preferably within a non-profit
• organization

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong proposal writing and donor communication abilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including international boards.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Professional judgment, discretion, and cultural sensitivity.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Team player with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and teams.

Key Requirement

Effective communication is essential; the successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to clearly, professionally, and persuasively communicate with donors, board members, and partners.

Application Process

Qualified candidates are requested to submit their resume/cv and a cover letter addressing the following questions:

1. Describe your experience with fundraising, grant writing, and donor communications. How have you translated program activities or outcomes into clear, compelling proposals, reports, or donor-facing materials? (Please include 1–2 concrete examples.)

2. Oda Foundation operates in one of Nepal’s most remote and geographically isolated

districts. What excites you about working in Kalikot, and how have your past experiences prepared you to live and work effectively in remote or resource-constrained environments? (Please address both motivation and practical readiness.)

3. The foreign aid and donor landscape has changed significantly in the past year. What pathways for fundraising and sustainability do you think would be good to pursue basedon your research of our current work and activities (there are no right answers, but we want to understand how you think about our organization in the landscape of other NGOs in the country)

Furthermore, all applications must include a portfolio or writing sample that shows their writing abilities. This can be a personal blog, a previous grant applied for, a writing sample from university etc. Only applications that have this component will be considered.

Please clearly indicate “Communication and Development Officer” in the subject line of your email. Send all information noted about to [email protected] and [email protected]

Applications after Feb. 15th will not be accepted. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.