PURPOSE OF THIS ROLE:

COVAW is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and innovative person to lead and oversee the development and implementation of organizational strategies while managing all organizational operations. The Executive Director will ensure adherence to statutory, policy, and donor requirements when collaborating with key stakeholders to deliver on organizational goals. She/He will effectively lead the design and delivery of programs, demonstrate value for money, and be accountable to partners and beneficiaries. In order to achieve this, She/He will identify and build strategic partnerships, undertake resource mobilization, represent the organization, and advocate for our positions.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic leadership in the implementation of the strategic plan 2023 -2028
• Serve as secretary to the Board of Directors
• Lead the development and effective implementation of programs in line with identified organizational goals and priority focus areas
• Ensure the timely delivery and reporting of agreed project outcomes to donors and partners for financial and programmatic components.
• Ensure compliance with statutory obligations
• Ensure effective, accurate, and timely monitoring and evaluation of programs.
• Create and maintain best practices to attract retain and motivate competent staff.
• Lead on resource mobilization and proposal development, including attracting and managing new donors and partners geared towards achieving financial sustainability
• Provide oversight to all financial management processes, ensuring financial management is aligned with internal controls and adherence to international accounting standards.
• Represent COVAW externally, continuously enhancing organizational visibility and profile
• Undertake advocacy for women’s rights nationally, regionally, and internationally
• Manage staff to ensure cohesive working in the head office and all field offices and ensure supportive and legally compliant human resources policies are in place and adhered to
• Uphold the organization’s values and ensure they are actively demonstrated by all

REQUIREMENTS FOR ROLE

Education, skills, competencies, and experience

• Advanced Degree in Human Rights, Law, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Gender studies or related disciplines.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as Executive Director or equivalent and a track record of influencing people management, and organizational leadership.
• Extensive experience of 8 to 10 years in a Senior Program Management role may be considered in lieu of experience as an Executive Director.
• Demonstrate knowledge of human rights, women’s rights, and gender issues
• Past record of standing up for human rights and social justice
• Proven success in resource mobilization, proposal development, project design, and implementation.
• Experience in human resource and people management
• Experience in undertaking quality research and communications work
• Experience in building partnerships and collaboration with strategic key stakeholders
• Ability to manage financial resources including developing, managing, and monitoring budgets
• Proven ability to work and perform under pressure and with limited resources including coping with tight deadlines, multiple competing demands
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for diverse target groups, in both English and Kiswahili
• Excellent interpersonal skills and negotiation skills.
• Commitment to human rights and feminist values.
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally and internationally.

PERSONAL STYLE AND ATTRIBUTES:

• High integrity and personal credibility, with a professional demeanour that inspires the trust and confidence of staff and partners
• Able to lead by example and demonstrate high emotional intelligence
• Able to challenge and motivate self and with a high level of resilience
• Adaptability and flexibility to cope with a rapidly changing work and political environment
• Inclination to set themselves and others challenging but achievable targets
• Ability to see and develop innovative solutions, taking calculated risks on new and innovative programs and solutions
• Ability to deal with conflict in a respectful approach
• Ability to use collaborative and consultative approaches that build teams