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Hivos is hiring for a Chief Executive Officer / Executive Board Member of Hivos (Globally Flexible)

Ednah Carrick 22 seconds ago

0 1 4 minutes read

Closing Date: 1 December 2024

Hivos is hiring for a Chief Executive Officer / Executive Board Member of Hivos (Globally Flexible)

Introduction

Hivos focuses on three impact areas where major social and political transitions take place and where it has a track record and can achieve real impact: Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Climate Justice; and Civic Rights in a Digital Age. Under its current strategic compass, Hivos has five strategies for change: supporting frontrunners, forging multi-actor initiatives, influencing policies and practices, moving the middle, and boosting local ownership.

Vision

Hivos firmly believes in every person’s right to live in freedom and dignity, to enjoy equal opportunities, and to influence decisions made regarding the changes they want to see in their lives, communities and country.

Mission

Hivos wants people to be able to realize their full potential, unleashing their ingenuity and creativity to build just and life-sustaining societies for themselves and generations to come. Hivos mission is to amplify and connect voices that promote social and environmental justice and challenge power imbalances. Hivos particularly work with marginalized rights holders to raise their voice and demand freedom of choice. Hivos supports the development of alternative solutions to deep-seated problems so that individuals and communities can make responsible and equitable choices within political and economic systems that serve their needs and preserve the planet. Hivos connect people and organizations offering alternatives to those looking for solutions in their fight for social and environmental justice.

Governance

Hivos is managed by an Executive Board (EB), made up of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operations Officer (COO). They are both statutory directors. However, the CEO has the final organizational responsibility. The Executive Board reports to the Supervisory Board.

The Executive Board is supported by the Management Team, comprised of regional directors and global support unit managers.

Within this governance model, the division of labor within the Executive Board is:

The CEO and COO have separate responsibilities and portfolios. The CEO is the chair of the EB, which works as a collegial Board. In case of differences of opinion between the CEO and COO, the CEO has the final decision-making power.
The CEO focuses on the strategy and positioning of Hivos; external partners and networks; innovation, communication and resource mobilization.

The CEO and COO bear responsibility for the financial management of the organization, evaluation of the health of the organization, and anticipating potential risks or challenges.
The CEO and the COO share responsibilities for supervising the managers of different units of the organization.
The EB operates on a basis of dialogue, trust, clarity and joint responsibility, meaning that the board members can stand in for each other when necessary.

The EB manages and directs the organization in a transparent, reflective and qualitative way. It meets on a formal, regular basis and actively engages with the Management Team on a regular basis.
The EB initiates, supports, facilitates and monitors the implementation of programs and activities, which are the responsibility of the Management Team members, and the regional directors in particular.
Within this context the line management of direct reports will be adaptive to ensure an equal span of control and functional domains.

Chief Executive Officer/Executive Board Member of Hivos Role

The CEO is responsible for defining and championing the overall vision and strategy of Hivos, ensuring its translation into impactful programs through the guidance of the Management Team and their teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Drive the development and execution of strategies that advance the organization’s mission and long-term objectives, embodying a strong commitment to lead the implementation of the new Strategic Compass (2025-2030).

Transformational Initiatives: In partnership with the COO, lead transformative initiatives across the organization, promoting innovation, operational excellence, and a collaborative culture.

Strategic Alignment and Oversight: In coordination with the COO, oversee organizational investments and initiatives to ensure alignment with the Strategic Compass and Hivos’ long-term ambitions and ensure all business processes effectively translate strategy into programs, fostering coherence and alignment in organizational execution.

Fundraising and Financial Sustainability: Oversee the design and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, focusing on securing major donors, grants, and strategic partnerships to ensure long-term financial health.

Board Relations: Collaborate closely with the Supervisory Board to ensure transparency, alignment on strategic priorities, and sound governance practices.

Leadership Development: Alongside the COO, cultivate a high-performing leadership team, ensuring robust succession planning and growth opportunities for leaders across the organization.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Oversee DEI and organizational culture initiatives, fostering an inclusive environment that aligns with Hivos’ values.

Compliance and Governance: Ensure that organizational activities and long-term strategies comply with established policies, legal guidelines, and industry best practices.

Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, donors, private sector partners, and peer organizations.

Expertise and Experience

Strategic Management: Minimum of 10–15 years of strategic management experience with full responsibility for outcomes, including at least two years in an executive leadership role.
Strategy Development and Execution: Proven experience in crafting and successfully implementing organizational strategies and operational plans.

Financial Acumen: Financially literate, including expertise in financial analysis to support a sustainable, financially sound organization.
Global Perspective: Significant lived experience within global majority contexts and direct work with rights holders and communities.
Fundraising Proficiency: Demonstrated success in fundraising from governmental and private entities, including consortia and intermediary organizations.

External Engagement: Strong track record of building alliances and engaging with networks, coalitions, and movements.
Governance Knowledge: In-depth understanding of corporate governance principles (knowledge of the Dutch Charities Code is a plus) and best managerial practices.
Exceptional Communication: Outstanding oral and written communication skills, with effective public speaking abilities.

International NGO Experience: Extensive experience within international NGOs with multi-regional and country-level operations.
Change Leadership: Proven expertise in leading successful transformational initiatives within organizations.
Language Proficiency: Fluent in English (written and spoken); proficiency in Dutch is desirable, with additional skills in Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese beneficial.