GAHP Executive Director

Position Description: Executive Director

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Start date: 1 July 2023

Position Overview

Reporting to the Chair of the Board and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) and the execution of its mission.

As the outward-facing voice of the organization, the Executive Director, is responsible for leading the GAHP Secretariat, guiding the translation of GAHP’s global strategy into action, ensuring program quality and measurable impact, and developing and providing strategic input to organizational initiatives.

This role requires a strategist, program developer, and visionary who is an active, hands-on leader, effective manager, and dedicated team-builder with outstanding facilitation and communication skills that translate across varied cultural contexts, as well as experienced fundraiser (government, private and philanthropic).

The Executive Director is responsible for all program delivery, overall administration, and financial oversight, as well as informing the Board as to all relevant organizational activities, annual budget preparation, and convening the GAHP Council.

 

Specific Responsibilities

Leadership & Governance

  • Continue to build GAHP’s credibility and recognition globally as an expert and leader in the field of pollution and health
  • Actively engage and energize, develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors and GAHP Council
  • Lead development of GAHP’s new strategic plan for 2024-2030 and long-term vision
  • Lead, coach, develop, manage, and retain Secretariat staff
  • Represent the organization externally at relevant global policy and programmatic events
  • Ensure compliance with governing documents, policies, and Swiss requirements

 

Fundraise

  • Expand revenue generation and fundraising activities to support existing and future program operations, especially unrestricted funds and cash cushion

 

Program Management & Advocacy

  • Develop annual budget and work plan in collaboration with the GAHP team
  • Oversee and direct portfolio of projects (advocacy and country support)
  • Identify and pursue opportunities and advocate /direct actions to influence the policies, funding priorities, and behaviors of governments and other key agencies related to pollution and health
  • Ensure programmatic excellent, rigorous program evaluation and consistent quality of financial and programmatic reporting and effective communications with reducing/mitigating risks to the organization
  • Forge effective partnerships with the private sector, governments, academia, and other relevant stakeholders to design and deliver high-quality programs and policies that lead to tangible results

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Minimum of 15 years of professional experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a Director or higher level position, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility;
  • Master’s degree or higher in international development, public health, environmental science, or related field;
  • Demonstrated experience in fundraising, leading, and growing program portfolios with a diverse range of donors;
  • Proven ability to build networks at a senior level that result in securing new opportunities and strategic growth for the organization;
  • Proven ability to manage relationships with key constituencies, including staff, government representatives, NGOs, not-for-profit and for-profit counterparts, and donors
  • Proven ability to design and manage programs using  outcomes-focused, evidence-based approaches;
  • Excellent listening, written, and verbal communication skills;
  • A demonstrated collaborative leadership approach that contributes to a positive team environment and builds strong relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, genders, cultures, and viewpoints;
  • Effective at delegating appropriate levels of responsibility, accountability, and decision-making authority;
  • Experience creating/enabling a working relationship with a Board of Directors preferred
  • Experience with NGO financial management
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion;
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills;
  • Ability and willingness to travel internationally, as needed;
  • Ability to work flexible hours or across time zones, as needed;
  • French fluency is strongly preferred. Other multi-lingual capabilities are a plus.

Candidates must be legally able to work in Switzerland.

Interested candidates should submit a CV of no more than 3 pages, a cover letter and three references to edsearch@gahp.net by 31 May 2023. Salary commensurate with experience. Salary expectations should be stated in the cover letter. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

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