Kenya: Executive Director

Organization: Dignitas Project

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 29 Apr 2016

JOB DESCRIPTION: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Board of Directors (Kenya-based Board of Trustees & USA-based Board

of Directors)

Start Date: July 1, 2016

Contract Term: Two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Dignitas launched in 2008 with the mission to empower educators by developing leaders who will transform opportunities for the next generation. Around the world, marginalized communities have self-organized and established schools in the hope of meeting the educational needs of their children. Although the majority of these schools are led by committed community leaders, they lack trained teachers, skilled leadership, and basic resources. Dignitas partners with these schools, strengthening leadership, improving instructional quality, and providing infrastructural support to help schools create an environment where all children fulfill their potential.

On average, schools improve by 20% on school quality measures after one year of partnership. Working in partnership with teachers, principals, and community leaders, Dignitas has grown from serving 5 schools and 22 teachers in 2009 to 35 schools and more than 240 teachers in 2015. The organization has expanded its operations to include three informal settlement communities in Nairobi. With a track record of success in improving schools, Dignitas is a leading example of community-based development and has been featured in case studies taught at Harvard University as well as recognized by state and non-state stakeholders in Kenya and internationally.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as the organization’s internal and external leader, setting bold and ambitious goals and executing against them with the support of the staff and Board. The Executive Director will act as the organization’s lead executive, fundraiser, and advocate as Dignitas continues to grow in 2016 and beyond. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced, results-driven leader who is passionate about people, and able to grow and scale the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Organizational Leadership and Management

· Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the organization’s activities

· Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization

· Participate with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization

· Lead all day to day operations and staff, with ultimate accountability for the success of the organization

· Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals

· Actively engage and energize Dignitas staff, board members, partnering organizations, and funders

· Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing staff with the right technical and personal abilities

· Create a productive and engaging culture defined by passion, high expectations, and results-orientation

· Ensure effective systems to track scaling progress, and regularly evaluate program components so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, funders, and other constituents

· Stay up-to-date on current educational landscape in order to educate staff and board members as necessary on relevant issues and challenges in education

Expected Outcomes

· The organization’s mission and objectives are achieved

· The board is engaged, informed, and able to work effectively in support of Dignitas’ mission.

· All staff can articulate the vision of Dignitas and are clear how their individual contribution supports the achievement of organizational outcomes.

· Staff develop professional skills and feel valued in their role; high staff retention rates are maintained.

2. Management, and External Leadership

· In addition to the Founder and the Chair(s) of the Board, act as the external face of the organization, enhancing Dignitas’ visibility, brand recognition, and credibility

· Develop and secure a sustainable, diversified local and international funding base (e.g., individuals, corporations, foundations, etc.)

· Ensure the ongoing engagement and stewardship of an ever-growing portfolio of influential individual, corporate, and foundation partners

· Develop an annual budget along with all financial reports for managing the organization’s finances

· Explore revenue generating activities to support existing programs and expansion

· Deepen and refine all aspects of communications-from web presence to

external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand

· Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities

· Form strategic partnerships to support programs

· Serve as an external voice for the organization, communicating Dignitas’

expertise and impact broadly and effectively

Expected Outcomes

· The organization’s funding requirements are met by a diversity of funding sources.

· All grants are executed to meet stringent organizational and donor values and guidelines.

· Dignitas is a respected organization in the area of school improvement. Its views and experience are sought by local and regional organizations (donors, government, NGOs, etc.).

3. Program Leadership

· Provide vision, oversight, and direction for the achievement of Dignitas’ mission by creating, refining, and executing innovative programs, models, and plans

· With support from the Program Quality team, monitor and evaluate the impact of Dignitas’ programs, creating a continuous feedback loop to drive improvement of program quality

· Monitor and understand the broader international education space and changes within the field; apply this understanding to organizational priorities and programmatic offerings

Expected Outcomes

· Programs are implemented according to the strategic plan and to a high standard

· Donors have full confidence in the ability of Dignitas to implement programs to a consistent level of quality

Other Activities

Undertake other duties (within individual competence and capacities) necessary to

support the activities of Dignitas, as and when required by line management.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

The ED will be thoroughly committed to the Dignitas’ approach and mission. All

candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and relationship management

experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

· Belief that every student, in every circumstance can achieve the highest levels of academic excellence

· A heart for education and the belief that access to a quality education can transform lives

· Bachelor’s degree required, Masters degree (Education, Business, etc.) preferred

· A minimum of ten years of experience, including five to seven years of executive level management experience strongly preferred

· A strong track record of leading teams to achieve ambitious results

· Fundraising skills or track record of revenue generation required

· Strong people management skills and the ability to motivate, excite, inspire, and educate both internal and external resources

· Strong familiarity with the challenges faced by schools, families, and children in marginalized communities

· Ability to think strategically, drive analysis, and solve problems creatively and effectively

· Excellent communication skills with the ability to be a listener and evaluator with the good judgment to make realistic and clear-cut decisions

· Strong entrepreneurial skills and the ability to establish and build a wide range of key relationships across the education, business, and government sectors

· Knowledge for education delivery in the developing world preferred

· Exceptional organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment

· Ability to work creatively and productively in a cross cultural context

The Executive Director position is a full-time, salaried position with competitive

benefits and vacation package.

DIGNITAS VALUES

It is expected that all staff respect Dignitas’ values, which include:

· Empowerment

· Humanity

· Partnership

· Accountability

· Equity

· Participation

How to apply:

Please email your resume/CV, cover letter, and salary expectations to jobs@dignitasproject.org. The subject line of your email should be: [Last Name, First Name-Executive Director Application].

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for a first-round interview. Finalists will be invited to meet the Executive Director and members of the board of directors.