Full-Time Executive Director
Job Description
Period: 12 months, full time (with option to extend, subject to performance and organizational funding)
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Reporting and accountability: The Executive Director takes general direction from the Chairperson, and is expected to liaise with the Chairperson on a regular basis. The role also involves regular liaison with the President, Leymah Gbowee, and members of the Board as is necessary. The Executive Director will report to the President and Chair of the Board on a monthly basis.
DUTY STATEMENT:
The Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive officer working in consultation with the Board of Directors to facilitate the operations of the Foundation in Africa. The Executive Director will supervise the staffing team (of 5-10 people, including full time staff, part time staff, and interns) and work with GPFA’s partner organizations to create and deliver high-impact, innovative projects to drive and support the mission and vision of the GPFA.
The Executive Director is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the organization’s short and long term strategy. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership, manages the operating structure of GFPA (including policies, budget and staffing), and is accountable for all day-to-day management decisions. The Executive Director will play a significant role in securing the financial resources required to sustain and grow GPFA initiatives and program portfolio. The Executive Director will build positive working relationships with external stakeholders, and work with the Board to leverage the GPFA global network strengths.
The responsibilities of the Executive Director will include, but not be limited to:
Income generation:
Develop and implement a successful fundraising plan that leverages and builds upon GPFA’s core funding.
Work in consultation with the Board and existing networks to define outreach strategies and lead efforts to secure funding for new programs and enhancement and expansion of existing programs.
Identify opportunities for fundraising, collaboration, and attracting new stakeholders.
Work with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization
Research funding sources, including writing funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization
Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate
Relationships & partnerships:
Establish effective partnerships with the UN, national governments, major global NGOs, local NGOs, and build meaningful long-term relationships with sector stakeholders.
Lead efforts to enhance GPFA’s profile and reputation, ensuring that the organization continues to grow in respect and authority.
Communicate effectively with all stakeholders including staff, government, volunteers, donors, suppliers, and the general public.
Leadership & culture:
Provide the strategic leadership and vision needed to progress GPFA’s mission and vision.
Hire and develop a high performing team that uphold GPFA’s vision and mission.
Inspire, motivate and lead a team by establishing key performance goals and evaluating performance against those identified goals.
Mentor and develop staff through a supportive and collaborative team approach, fostering transparency and coordination to promote a culture of mutual respect, high performance, quality, excellence, and continuous improvement.
Act as a liaison between the staff team and the Board.
Identify problems and opportunities and them; bring those which are appropraite to the Board, and facilitate discussion and deliberation.
Strategic planning & implementation:
To lead, in partnership with the Board, the development of the organization’s strategy.
To lead and oversee the implementation of GPFA’s long and short term plans in accordance with the strategic plan.
Operations:
Manage the day-to-day operations of GPFA, fully utilizing existing talent to ensure that the operations run smoothly without interruptions and programs are being efficiently run with staff fulfilling their responsibilities as prescribed in their job descriptions.
Develop human resources, assets management, and financial management manuals, which upon board approval, is used to govern operations of GPFA.
Financial management
Manage and oversee GPFA fiscal well-being: develop and monitor the annual budget; review cash/business forecasts, making timely corrections and adjustments, as required.
Ensure that appropriate policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures are maintained and guided by a Financial Management Manual.
In conjunction with the Board, prepare an annual operating budget.
Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board.
Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization.
Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the organization.
Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:
Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (GPFA) is a nongovernmental organization based in Monrovia, Liberia. Founded in 2012 by Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee, GPFA seeks to promote holistic transformation and equal access to all in Africa, by providing education and leadership opportunities to women and youth, especially young girls.
GPFA’s vision is that of a peaceful, reconciled and empowered Africa with a new generation of leaders committed to democracy and equitably investing in the growth and development of its citizens. GPFA works towards that vision by increasing access to quality education for women and girls, increasing the leadership skills of women and girls, and increasing access to reproductive health education and microfinance grants.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Education
Postgraduate degree in business administration, education, international development, or closely related fields.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Minimum 5-10 years of relevant experience in academic, government or NGO working in a senior leadership position, including strategic financial management (including organizational budgeting and monitoring) and people management.
A proven leader, with evidence of building trust and credibility with staff and external stakeholders across the government, non-profit and private sectors.
Must possess the business skills and the strategic awareness required to navigate a complex field.
Experience of developing budgets, analyzing revenue, and fiscal management and planning.
Proven experience of successful fundraising and grant writing, including evidence of ability to expand the range of donors and partner organizations required to take GFPA’s work forward, and in-depth experience negotiating with multi-sector stakeholders.
Excellent financial, analytical, and process skills; capable of synthesizing complex data and making sound recommendations.
Proven project management skills; capable of establishing priorities and delivering high-quality work on a timely and cost-effective basis.
Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills; demonstrated success at cultivating good working relationships with staff and key stakeholders.
Possess excellent communication skills, including the capability to actively listen and synthesize critical issues; ability to communicate and influence a variety of people and audiences.
Personal attributes
A personal integrity and demonstrated interest in women and girls, peace and security, international development, human rights, and/or social justice.
Must have considerable professional stature and presence, coupled with the engagement and communication skills, required to attract and grow the network of stakeholders dedicated to GPFA’s success.
A smart, insightful, dynamic strategic leader; a “self-starter” with the necessary drive and stamina to respond to the demands of GPFA by “rolling up his/her sleeves” and working collaboratively to achieve results.
A transformational thinker, highly diplomatic and discreet. Unquestionable personal integrity and a commitment to the highest ethical standards; exudes credibility and professionalism; quickly builds confidence in others.
Must be passionate and committed to the mission and vision of GPFA.