Country: Senegal
Closing date: 31 Dec 2016
Summary:
Tostan, a leading organization in grassroots empowerment and international development, seeks a collaborative leader to steward the organization as it works with millions to transform their lives, communities, and countries, and touches the lives of tens of millions more.
Organization Overview:
Tostan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Dakar, Senegal and currently operating in six West African countries. Strategically, the organization is committed to developing its core competency of empowering education and to documenting and scaling the sustainable impact it creates across a range of issues. Tostan’s flagship model, the three-year Community Empowerment Program (CEP), has already reached thousands of communities in both West and East Africa since 1991. Outcomes in governance, education, health, economic empowerment, and the environment are currently tracked, and Tostan has been particularly proud to play a significant role in the large-scale empowerment of women and girls and the community-led abandonment of harmful practices such as female genital cutting and child marriage. New models for building partnerships with communities after the CEP, and for sharing Tostan’s approach with a range of local and global audiences, now compliment the ever-evolving CEP, creating a unique and exciting strategic moment.
Position Overview:
Tostan is seeking a passionate, collaborative, experienced leader and skilled manager to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to lead the organization into an exciting new strategic era of expanded reach, partnerships, and impact. The CEO will report to the Board of Directors, and work closely with the Founder & current CEO during her transition to a senior advisory role.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Lead, inspire, recruit, and retain a team of committed leaders and managers across the organization
- Engage the Board, staff, and local and international stakeholders to nurture and evolve Tostan’s strategic directions and programmatic priorities
- Build the staff, structures and systems necessary for sustained programmatic quality and operational scale in support of strategic priorities
- Develop a high performance, low-stress workplace with a culture that fosters respect and teamwork
- Ensure organizational excellence that supports programmatic effectiveness in all areas
- Raise the visibility of the organization to diverse audiences including the international development community, policymakers, and the media by being a spokesperson and contributing thought leadership
- Help ensure fundraising goals are met by shaping strategic donor engagement and by meeting directly with key donors and advisors
Key Qualifications and Selection Criteria:
Education
- Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field is ideal
Language Proficiency
- Fluency in English and French, and preferably in one of the African languages Tostan works in
Knowledge & Experience
- Experience managing a large, diverse, multi-location organization, and has spent significant time 'on the ground' in Africa, ideally in a rural village setting
- At least 10 years of professional experience, of which five are at a senior management level
- A good understanding of common financial and administrative systems, approaches, and tools
Characteristics
- Proven ability to connect with people and build a culture of collaboration and accountability
- Willingness to explore new ideas and directions, while carefully learning from organizational history, engaging advisors and partners, and encouraging the initiative and leadership of others
- Professional style characterized by openness, receptivity and transparency
The CEO will be based in Dakar, Senegal, Tostan's Headquarters. While there is no minimum travel requirement, Tostan anticipates a successful CEO will need to travel about 30-40% of the time. Compensation is commensurate with experience and ability.
How to apply:
How to Apply:
If you are interested in this position, apply by email to Tostan.CEO.Search@gmail.com. Please be sure to include the names and contacts of four references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Tostan is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful considerations of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.