PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for applications has been extended to 31 January 2022 at 17:00 SAST.
Reports to: Iranti Board
Role: Executive Director
Number of Team members: 4 Direct, 6 Indirect
ROLE OBJECTIVE:
Reporting to the Iranti Board, the Executive Director (ED) will lead the organisation at the highest level by building on Iranti’s decade-long work. Iranti’s mission is to be a media and advocacy platform for Lesbians, gender diverse, Trans and Intersex persons and their organisations in order to strengthen the advancement of (all) human rights in Africa – enabling us all to strive for a just world where everyone lives with dignity, respect and equality; and where sexual, gender, sex characteristics and bodily diversity are not only accepted, but celebrated.
KEY PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
- Achieve Iranti Strategic, Business and Operational Plan targets.
- Manage Iranti’s financial and human resources.
- Act as chief advisor to the Iranti Board on operations and policies and keep the Board fully informed on relevant sector and organisational matters.
- Ensure organisational effectiveness by building capacity within the organisation and maintaining and empowering of a strong and cohesive staff team to provide effective leadership and accountability across the organisation.
- Be proactive in protecting the reputation and interests of Iranti.
- Act as an ambassador and be a delegated spokesperson for the Iranti Board in the media and at public events.
- Guarantee the institutional sustainability of Iranti.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Executive Guidance and Interaction
- Participate in developing and continually reassessing the vision and strategic plan to guide the organisation.
- Mange and lead an effective and motivated management team.
- Act as a professional advisor to the Iranti Board on all aspects of Iranti’s activities and conduct correspondence on behalf of the Board.
- Oversee the development and implementation of communication strategies to maximise the visibility and impact of Iranti.
- Ensure effective co-operation and dialogue with key international human rights institutions and with relevant NGOs/organisations working in human rights and especially in LGBTI rights.
- Be a key ambassador for Iranti, speaking on behalf of the organisation in accordance with Board policies and directives, and speak on behalf of Iranti in accordance with decisions/directions from the Board.
- Provide support to the Iranti Board by preparing meeting agenda, minutes and supporting materials.
- Foster effective teamwork between the Board and the Executive Director, and between the Executive Director and staff of Iranti.
- Ensure that the operations of Iranti meets the expectations of its Stakeholders, Funders, Members, Staff, Partners and Board.
Leadership, Capacity Building and Team Cohesion
- Produce and implement Iranti’s Strategic, Business and Operational Plan.
- Inspire, mentor, and lead the Iranti team, which is connected by a deep passion for human rights and social justice.
- Keep staff wellness in mind and uphold the ongoing supportive work that nourishes and strengthens staff and team cooperation and cohesion.
- Ensure internal engagement and ownership of advocacy and policy plans and priorities, including the establishment of clear lines of internal communication, the creation of internal systems and processes for sharing policy information and external influencing opportunities and the management of relationships with key donors/partners.
- Inspire and manage the Iranti team, and support the team so that it continues to perform at the highest level.
- Model feminist leadership principles that support self-determination and advance equity and inclusion.
- Champion a culture grounded in transparency and accountability.
- Leverage established networks and build new ones to develop meaningful partnerships that further the organisation’s goals.
- Identify effective and innovative strategies to achieve organisational goals.
Human Resources Planning/ Management
- Determine staffing requirements in line with Iranti’s strategy.
- Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices for all Iranti staff.
- Ensure that staff understand the individual contributions required to achieve the overall work programme and how their performance will be appraised.
Leading the Advocacy and Stakeholder Management Strategy
- Lead the implementation of a comprehensive advocacy framework at the national, regional and international levels.
- Lead Iranti’s Advocacy Agenda on national, regional and international levels.
- Manage stakeholder relationships with funders, implementers, NGOs and government.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with partner organisations to enable buy-in and joint ownership in order to meet desired policy outcomes.
- Regularly review plans and priorities with the team to make the most of emerging opportunities and strategies, and review implementation challenges to enable swift remedial action.
- Lead Iranti in engagement in priority conferences and networks and enable the development of communication and information to ensure Iranti maintains an effective public platform.
- Communicate in authentic ways Iranti’s work and purpose in mainstream media, and to donors, government and other high-level stakeholders.
Finance, Fundraising, Reporting and M&E
- Together with the Director of Finance and Operations, and in close collaboration with the Treasurer, oversee the development and maintenance of effective administrative and financial systems.
- Oversee and manage Iranti’s budget to ensure compliance, impact and greater sustainable programme growth.
- In collaboration with the board, leverage influence to fundraise and diversify Iranti’s donor’s base.
- Work with the staff and board to prepare budgets and oversee the production of progress reports and accounts for internal purposes and for funders.
- Ensure high-quality narrative and financial reporting to donors and investing partners, clearly communicating any significant changes to project delivery or spending.
- Lead Iranti’s M&E framework for enabling the organisation to continuously learn from and improve the quality of our delivery and impact.
- Ensure that financial performance is continually monitored and evaluated, and prompt corrective action is taken where required.
- Maintain and strengthen the relationship with current Iranti funders and seek new funding opportunities.
- Secure funding, develop fundraising strategies and diversify Iranti’s funding streams, including implementing and participating in fundraising activities.
Skills, Experience and Behavioural Requirements
- A commitment to Iranti’s mission and a clear understanding of the links between advocacy, research, community building, campaigning and media work;
- A proven track record of developing, implementing and managing effective programmes;
- Postgraduate degree-level education;
- A minimum of 5 years human rights experience and at least 5 years of proven track record of management experience;
- Knowledge and understanding of human rights and social justice issues, and a passion for community development and the well-being of the LGBTIQ community;
- High-level skills and experience in project design;
- Advanced technical advocacy and stakeholder management skills;
- Strong networks within the sector and with associates and the ability to develop partnerships with funders and external service providers;
- Strong conceptualisation, research and project and programme management skills;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to work alone, take initiative and manage diverse teams in a transparent, collaborative and accountable manner;
- Experience managing, including conducting training and capacity-building, a staff of differing skills and abilities;
- Be a strategic and creative thinker and possess strong management skills combined with the ability to keep on budget and on deadline
- Willing and able to travel.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Executive Director will be a fierce feminist leader with an uncompromising commitment to advancing the rights of Trans, Lesbian and Intersex persons. He/She/They will embody a deep practice of movement building, a commitment to building a growing organisation and be comfortable articulating a radical vision. He/She/They will be an innovative, transparent and adaptive leader with a commitment to lifelong learning and a drive to mentor, coach and support leadership. The ideal candidate will have the emotional intelligence to engage in honest self-reflection and receive constructive feedback, and the humility to share power and make collective decisions.
RENUMERATION
– Salary commensurate with experience and aligned to the NGO sector
– Provident fund
– Medical aid
– Annual leave (Iranti Offices close between Christmas and New Year)
In addition to the above, provision is made for the Executive Director to have the support of a ‘coach’ during the initial phase of employment.
Should you be interested in the position, submit a comprehensive CV (5 pages maximum), and a covering letter detailing how you fulfil the criteria listed in the role description to eugene@emsconsultancy.co.za. The deadline for applications is 17:00 SAST on 31 January 2022.
Iranti reserves the right not to make an appointment. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not be contacted within 2 months of the closing date please do consider your application to have been unsuccessful.
The Iranti Board