Executive Director

About the Kasiisi Project

The Kasiisi Project is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has worked in western Uganda since 1997. Our goal is to promote the long-term conservation of Kibale National Park through the improvement of neighboring government schools. We use a holistic, science-based approach to partner with communities around the Park, driving meaningful change focused on youth. Each year, our programs on education, health, and conservation reach more than 9,000 students across 16 forest-edge primary schools—along with their teachers, families, and surrounding communities. We also enable high-achieving students to attend secondary school and achieve tertiary diplomas or degrees.

At the heart of our impact is a close partnership with our Ugandan sister organization, the Kibale Forest Schools Program (KFSP), whose all-Ugandan team leads program implementation and ensures our collaborative work is locally rooted, culturally informed, and community-driven.

Position Overview

The Kasiisi Project is seeking a visionary Executive Director (ED) to lead our organization into its next phase of growth and innovation. This is a unique opportunity to build upon the organization’s strong foundation following the retirement of our founding ED and a successful interim leadership period. The ED will oversee all aspects of the U.S. organization, including fundraising, strategy, operations, communications, collaborative programs, and board engagement. A core responsibility will be ensuring strong alignment with and support for KFSP.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy:

• Provide visionary leadership and guide the strategic direction and growth of the organization in collaboration with the Board and KFSP leadership, including directing a new strategic plan
• Champion the mission, vision, and values of The Kasiisi Project across all platforms and partnerships
• Promote a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous learning

Fundraising:

• Lead fundraising efforts for a ~$600K+ annual budget
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including individual giving, grants, and institutional partnerships
• Write grant proposals and manage ongoing grants
• Cultivate donor relationships and oversee donor stewardship, campaigns, and reporting
• Maintain the organization’s CRM database

Operations & Financial Management:

• Manage day-to-day operations, policies, and procedures for the U.S. office
• Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements

Program & Partnership Support:

• Work closely with the KFSP team to support program strategy, development, implementation, and growth
• Lead monitoring & evaluation to assess programmatic impact
• Facilitate resource sharing, alignment, and collaboration between KFSP and The Kasiisi Project

Board Governance:

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to support strong governance and strategic engagement
• Assist with board recruitment, development, evaluation, and effective board functioning

Communications & Outreach:

• Serve as the public face of the organization, representing The Kasiisi Project to partners, donors, and external audiences
• Lead public relations, rebranding efforts, and communications strategy to elevate the organization’s profile
• Develop and write content for social media platforms to increase engagement and promote organizational visibility

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years in senior nonprofit leadership roles
• Proven success in fundraising, strategy, board development, and organizational growth
• Experience collaborating with international partners and working cross-culturally (Africa experience strongly preferred)
• Background in managing remote teams and fostering inclusive workplace cultures

Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong financial acumen and nonprofit management experience
• Strategic thinker with the ability to problem-solve and lead through complexity
• Effective writer, public speaker, and storyteller
• Comfort with traveling to and staying in remote rural areas in Uganda

Education:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field
• Expertise or experience in the fields of education, conservation, or One Health is a plus

Other Requirements:

• Passion for community-driven impact and youth engagement
• High ethical standards and professionalism
• Comfort working independently and remotely
• Fluency in English

We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply. The Kasiisi Project is an equal opportunity employer.