IRRI is currently seeking a new Executive Director to be
based in Kampala, Uganda.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Board of Directors, and working in close
collaboration with its Chair, the Executive Director (ED) is responsible for
the strategic and operational activities of IRRI. S/he will be responsible for
overall day to day operations and management, program development and
implementation and the public and donor relations of IRRI.
The Executive Director will be in charge of developing
strategic orientations, ensuring the effective and sound financial management
of the organisation, and promoting staff development. S/he will ensure that
IRRI continuously adapts to its social, economic and political context and that
its endeavours are consistent with its mission and vision. The Executive
Director will also act as spokesperson for IRRI, keeping abreast of
developments in refugee rights and the rights of excluded communities and
working closely with local and international partners.
The ideal candidate will be a creative, visionary and
courageous human rights activist with experience in the areas of refugee rights
and forced migration, in addition to conflict analysis, citizenship, or
preventing and responding to mass violence who has held senior positions,
including leadership/management positions. S/he will have a strong grasp of
international refugee rights, human rights and humanitarian law, with a deep
practical experience of human rights analysis and advocacy including from the
grassroots, and preferably within Africa. S/he will understand network and
coalition building, including with excluded communities, and have an
appreciation of how action-oriented research and new technologies can enhance
capacity building for effective advocacy.
Responsibilities and Duties
Reporting to the Chair of the Board, the Executive Director
is responsible for the following core areas:
1. Strategic and Programmatic Leadership
- Monitor
and analyse legal and political developments, relating to human rights and
the rule of law internationally in IRRI's areas of focus and suggest
goals, strategies, and objectives to the Board that ensure both
appropriate institutional response and the long term sustainability and
success of IRRI.
- Oversee
development and implementation of the evolving program plan to foster
local regional and international strategies to change abusive laws,
policies and practices.
- Analyse
and articulate IRRI’s message and role in the broader political, social
and economic context. Determine funding priorities in consultation with
the Board and the Senior Management Team.
- Coordinate
project development and oversee execution of program activities in
collaboration with the Head of Programs.
- Review
and report regularly to the Board on overall progress and results against
operating and financial objectives and address areas for improvement.
- Keep
the Board fully informed of all significant operational, physical,
financial, and other matters relevant to IRRI, including legal,
regulatory, and governmental policy developments.
- Develop
strategic partnerships.
2. Public Leadership
- Ensure
that effective communications and appropriate relationships are maintained
with stakeholders such as donors, and business, public and civil society
partners.
- Develop/strengthen
relationships with existing and new donors.
- Represent
IRRI externally, conducting advocacy with governments and
inter-governmental organisations.
- Coordinate
the preparation of press releases, op-eds and other public outreach
pieces, deliver public speeches and otherwise raise the public profile of
IRRI.
3. Financial Oversight
- Develop
and monitor the annual operational budget, and ensure timely financial
reporting to the Board, donors and relevant government authorities.
- Ensure
appropriate fiscal controls are carried out as required by donors and
accepted standards and practices for NGOs.
- Anticipate
potential funding gaps, develop contingency plans, and closely monitor
costs to ensure adequate cash flow and prevent uncovered program cost.
- Supervise
finance staff and the selection of auditors and audit implementation
process.
4. Administrative Leadership
- Arrange
the meetings of the Board in consultation with the Chair and prepare the
agenda and necessary reporting documentation for those meetings.
- Take
reasonable steps to ensure the safe, efficient operation of projects to
ensure compliance with IRRI’s and donors’ policies, procedures, and
practices.
- Ensure
that all operations and activities of IRRI are conducted in accordance
with local laws, regulations, IRRI’s Code of Conduct, sound management
practices, and the other policies and practices that may be applicable.
5. Personnel Management
- Recruit,
hire, orient and mentor professional and productive staff. Ensure staff
are properly trained and performance expectations are clear. Review and
adjust the organisational structure and job descriptions as needed to
provide clear work expectations and adequate resources for achieving
program goals.
- Promote
knowledge management and a learning environment in IRRI through leadership
and personal example.
- Conduct
annual performance reviews and support staff in their ongoing professional
development.
- Ensure
operating policies, procedures, and communication protocols are clear and
consistent.
- Ensure
security protocols and procedures are followed and updated as needed.
6. Other Duties
- Travel
throughout Africa and internationally as required.
- Other
appropriate responsibilities as requested by the Chair of the Board.
Qualifications
Education:
- An
advanced degree in law, human rights, international relations/politics,
conflict studies or a related field. A qualification in NGO management
would be an asset.
Knowledge and experience
- At
least 10 years’ experience working in refugee/human rights , ideally in
the areas of forced migration and conflict analysis, citizenship, and
preventing and responding to mass violence, development and/or
humanitarian response.
- Minimum
eight years of responsible staff, programme and financial management
experience in a non-governmental organisation.
- Applied
knowledge of international refugee, human rights and humanitarian law
- An
understanding of campaigning and social justice movements, and of the
functioning and relationships of key players in social change.
- Excellent
participatory leadership and management skills and a collaborative,
result-oriented management style.
- Excellent
strategic thinking, process management and problem solving skills.
- Strong
analytical and organisational skills including strategy formation, process
improvement and team building.
- Proven
communication, capacity building, advocacy and policy experience.
- Proven
experience of successful fundraising and financing strategies.
- Knowledge
of project planning and of log frame analysis and/or other project
planning and monitoring tools.
- Experience
in dealing with a diverse Board.
- Personal
skills
- Sound
ethical and moral sense, great sensitivity towards and affinity with
IRRI’s mission and values.
- Broad
and diverse professional network of contacts, ability to act as
spokesperson and to communicate effectively with all levels of the
organisation, including internal and external stakeholders, and to develop
local, national and international partnerships.
- Sound
judgment with proven experience of dealing with hostile and complex
security environment.
- Creativity,
natural curiosity and drive.
- Adaptability
to change, capacity to work under pressure and to take on several projects
at once.
- Ability
to manage a diverse team effectively, balance the interests of different
stakeholders, and provide excellent leadership by maintaining a
constructive work environment and setting a positive example.
- Personal
and professional integrity.
To Apply
We encourage all qualified and interested applicants to
submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter describing your suitability for
each of the core competencies outlined in the job profile together with salary
history and desired salary requirements and three professional references
(including current/last employer).
Submit via email to recruitment@refugee-rights.org
IRRI provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment
in employment to all people without regard to race, colour, religion, sex,
national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or
sexual orientation.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received
by 1st October, 2013 Only candidates who have been selected for an interview
will be contacted.
