Aga Khan Foundation appoints Global Lead, Agriculture and Food Security

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is the implementing agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an internationally regarded group of private development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to the faith, origin or gender of the people they serve. The Network employs over 80,000 people across 30 countries, with an annual budget for development activities of circa US $950 million.

Society was delighted to again partner with AKF, to seek a Global Lead to oversee the implementation of AKF’s agriculture and food security strategy, support field-based teams, resource mobilisation, and grow partnerships with key institutions globally.

We embarked on a global search for professionals with a deep understanding of agriculture, food security, livelihoods and natural resources management, rural infrastructure, and climate change adaptation. We sought individuals with a track record in facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue and building teams across functions and geographies, especially in Central and South Asia.

Through a competitive process, Apoorva Oza was appointed to the role. He is a member of AKF’s Global Programme team, sitting within the global agriculture and food security portfolio, and currently serves as the General Manager of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme in India. His experience and expertise focus on water management, youth employability, agriculture development and natural resource management. Apoorva holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a Master’s degree in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management.