Ecole Militaire Polytechnique Chahid Abderrahmane Taleb

Director of Development Operations and Alumni Engagement Location: Durham, UK Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits Durham University is seeking an outstanding senior leader to appoint as Director of Development Operations and Alumni Engagement, a pivotal role within the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO). This position will provide strategic, integrated leadership across Advancement Operations, Stewardship, Campaign Management and Alumni Engagement - translating institutional priorities into coordinated delivery and measurable fundraising and engagement success. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will play a central role in driving income growth, diversifying fundraising streams and delivering a compelling, high-quality experience for alumni and donors worldwide. As a member of DARO's Senior Management Team, you will help shape strategy while ensuring operational excellence and strong governance underpin every aspect of our work. In this role, you will: Provide strategic leadership for Development Operations, Stewardship, Campaign Management and Alumni Engagement, aligning activity with DARO and University priorities. Set clear objectives and performance standards, driving income growth and diversification across priority fundraising streams. Co-develop income stream strategies with senior colleagues and lead the delivery of Durham’s alumni engagement strategy. Play a leading, externally facing role with key alumni and donor stakeholders, working closely with some of the University’s most influential supporters. Oversee the strategic deployment of alumni communications, events, volunteering, benefits, and recognition programmes, ensuring best practice stewardship and compliance. Contribute centrally to campaign governance, including case development, gift opportunity design, and campaign narrative. Lead, recruit, coach and performance-manage high-performing teams through a clear metrics and outcomes framework. Build strong partnerships with academic and professional services colleagues to maximise institutional impact and foster a collaborative, results-driven culture. We're looking for someone who can: Demonstrate senior-level experience in development operations, alumni engagement, or advancement within a complex organisation. Balance strategic vision with operational delivery, ensuring excellence in systems, processes, and stakeholder experience. Build credibility and influence with senior leaders, alumni, and donors at the highest level. Lead and motivate teams through change, embedding a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. This is a rare opportunity to play a defining role in one of the UK's leading universities - strengthening lifelong alumni relationships, enabling philanthropic success, and ensuring Durham's ambitions are delivered with impact, integrity, and excellence.

About UM6P: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is an institution dedicated to research and innovation in Africa and aims to position itself among world-renowned universities in its fields The University is engaged in economic and human development and puts research and innovation at the forefront of African development. A mechanism that enables it to consolidate Morocco’s frontline position in these fields, in a unique partnership-based approach and boosting skills training relevant for the future of Africa. Located in the municipality of Benguerir, in the very heart of the Green City, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University aspires to leave its mark nationally, continentally, and globally. Description of the Center: The African Genome Center (AGC) is a research-focused institution operating across four main research axes: Biodiversity Genomics, OMICS and Metabolic Engineering, Genome Editing, and Natural Product Chemistry and Metabolomics. Equipped with an advanced genomics platform, its mission is to act as a central nucleus for genome biology research and training in Morocco and Africa. The AGC team comprises an international and diverse scientific community. Its primary goal is to democratize genomics research on the African continent, encompassing both fundamental and applied scientific investigations in agriculture, conservation, environment, food security, and health. Furthermore, the center is dedicated to facilitating technology transfers and nurturing highly skilled personnel through training initiatives. Job Description: Explore an exciting postdoctoral opportunity at the African Genome Center (AGC) of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco! We are seeking a talented candidate in bioinformatics microbial genomics to join the dynamic research group led by Professor Vittorio Venturi. At AGC, Professor Venturi’s research program extends to unraveling the intricacies of bacterial cell-cell signaling within plant microbiomes. As a postdoc, you will delve into genomics and metagenomics data to dissect the signaling systems of plant-associated bacteria and analyze the genomic features of beneficial bacterial strains. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of genomics, microbiology, and agriculture. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of microbial interactions in plant ecosystems and making strides towards sustainable agricultural solutions. Visit our website at https://agc.um6p.ma for further details. The ideal candidate must possess a PhD degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Microbial Genomics, Bioinformatics, or an equivalent field. They should demonstrate documented expertise in bacteriology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, soil and rhizosphere microbial genomics. Proficiency in molecular biology laboratory techniques, a strong track record of publications in internationally recognized journals, and excellent English communication skills are also essential qualifications. Application Procedure: Prospective candidates are invited to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact details for three references via the [SuccessFactor Link]. For further details, please contact Professor Vittorio Venturi at venturi@icgeb.org

About UM6P: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher education. Its educational system is based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model. It focuses on applied research and innovation both in Morocco and Africa. The university is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities, for students, professors, and staff. It offers a high-quality living and study environment thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. About Entity (ASARI): The African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI) is a component of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). It is located in Laayoune City, in south of Morocco. Its vision is targeting real, local, regional, and African challenges in the fields of agricultural in dry lands and marginal environments, animal value chain, water and energy sustainability, biorefinery and bioenergy, cultivation and conversion of micro and macroalgae, and geology and mining. Oriented towards Africa, ASARI acts in connection with a wide network of universities and research centers around the continent in order to link real field issues with up-to-date science. The institute has attracted multidisciplinary research teams composed of food engineers, agronomists, biochemists, biologists, … etc. Description of the position: Develop and improve the best cropping practices under marginal and arid conditions Test, introduce and upscale new and alternative resilient crops Field preparation and establishment of field trials Conduct controlled trials under greenhouse conditions testing crop responses to different investigated factors (stresses, amendment, photoperiod, etc.) Develop and deliver training modules to farmer’s, cooperatives, extension agents, etc. Data scheduling, collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Supervise Postdoc, PhD and Master students as well as interns Project management including budget, materials, equipment, and staff Research proposal writing for external funding Report writing for research project Manuscript writing and publication in referee journal. The candidate will also be expected to help maintain all field and laboratory equipment, order supplies as needed, and help maintain research plot records and. Responsibilities also involve frequent travelling to different experimental platforms and farmer’s fields at national and international level Education Ph.D. in agricultural sciences, agronomy, crop science, plant science, or a closely related field Requirement At least 5 years of field based agricultural research experience is essential Expertise in of one of the following areas (please indicate in covering letter): Marginal and desert environments Salinity management Crop and soil modelling Crop production Knowledge and skills in organization, time management, Statistical software and data analysis Good publications record in refereed journals Fluency in written and spoken English. French and Arabic will be a plus Experience in working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team Ability to initiate, conduct, and publish research in a scientific manner and to obtain external grant funding Well-developed oral and written communication skills Working knowledge of statistics and database management Additional language skills, Arabic and French are desirable Supervisory experience