Job Posting for an Executive Director Non-Profit - Minds Matter

Minds Matter Is Seeking an Executive Director (www.mindsmatter.org) 

Minds Matter is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success.  Through Minds Matter, our carefully selected students gain the opportunity to attend challenging and exciting summer programs, and receive advice and support throughout the college application process. 

Founded in New York City in 1991, Minds Matter has since established a national presence with chapters in New York City, Boston, Denver, Chicago, Portland, and Cleveland. In addition to its committed leadership volunteers, Minds Matter's staffing model at present includes one other full-time employee who supports both the NYC and National organizations.  Additional full-time staff positions are currently being evaluated, but are dependent on hiring a new Executive Director.  New chapters are likely to open during the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Please see below for job description.  All interested parties please forward your cover letter and resume to careers@mindsmatter.org.

Overall Description of Position:

Reporting to the chairs of the New York City and National Boards of Directors, the successful candidate is a leader with strong education and development experience.  Minds Matter is in a period of rapid growth and the Executive Director will need to be able to set a strategic course for the future, significantly increase our fundraising revenues, while keeping up with current demands.  The role will initially include a programming component and require oversight of the NYC-based volunteer leadership, although much of these responsibilities will eventually transition to a new full-time Director of Student Programs and Director of Volunteers & Alumni Programs, both of which are expected to be hired within the first year pending Board approval and achievement of fundraising targets.

Reports To:
§         Chairs of the NYC and National Boards of Directors

Works With:
§         NYC Executive Committee Members
§         National Executive Committee Members
§         Program and Development Assistant
§         Director of Student Programs (to be hired)
§         Director of Volunteers & Alumni Programs (to be hired)

Overview of Critical Responsibilities:
FUNDRAISING
§         Manage all foundation and grant research and applications for the New York City and National organizations
§         Provide support for annual NYC Soiree fundraiser
§         Cultivate, manage, and track relationships with all donors, prospects, and external constituents

MANAGEMENT
§         Oversee general office management and capacity-building, creating a platform for sustained, significant growth
§         Participate in hiring and training of 3rd and 4th employees
§         Serve as primary point of contact for new and potential chapters

PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT
§         Oversee curriculum development of Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Test Prep, and Writing & Critical Thinking Programs until hiring of additional staff
§         Oversee NYC Executive Committee until hiring of additional staff, and then co-manage as appropriate
§         Maintain relationships with existing NYC high schools and serve as central point of contact for Minds Matter Inc. with all summer program until hiring of additional staff

PR & MARKETING
§         Develop a comprehensive PR strategy for the organization and steer PR/marketing efforts to ensure that key messages are conveyed strategically to a broad audience including individuals, corporations, donors, educators, foundation leaders, and media sponsors
§         Oversee publication of annual report

Qualifications:
§         Bachelor's Degree
§         At least 5 years' fundraising and/or related experiences
§         Experience with nonprofits and volunteer-based organizations required
§         Leadership, enterprise, creativity and ability to work effectively with volunteers, colleagues, and students
§         Ability to work a flexible schedule including some weeknights and/or Saturdays during the school year and perform some domestic travel
§         Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
§         Self-motivation, flexibility and high energy level
§         Ability to prioritize multiple and varied responsibilities and meet deadlines
§         Excellent persuasive writing and verbal communication skills
§         Mastery of standard office software (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint), desktop publishing experience helpful.

Compensation:
Salary commensurate with experience.  Competitive compensation package includes merit bonus, health and dental insurance, and 2 weeks of paid vacation.

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to: careers@mindsmatter.org

Seeking a Chief of Party for Nicaragua Democratic Leadership Development Program

Title:                                                  Chief of Party

 

Supervises:                                       Deputy COP, local staff and local and expat consultants

 

Location:                                           Managua, Nicaragua

 

Start Date/duration:                      April 2010,  duration of project is 5 years

 

Overview:

 

 

I have been retained by a well known international NGO in Washington DC and am accepting applications for  the following key position which is part of a USAID proposal that my client will be submitting during the coming weeks.  Please respond rapidly as I have no more than a week to find the ideal candidate for this project.

If this position does not match your background, I hope you will forward it to colleagues who do. 

 

The Chief of Party (COP) will oversee all aspects of a program entitled “Democratic Leadership Development Program (DLDP). This USAID-funded five-year program (the Program) aims to support inclusive and democratic political processes in Nicaragua through the electoral cycle of 2011-12 and beyond by encouraging responsive political leadership at the national and local levels, and supporting fair and transparent electoral processes.  Specifically, the Program will support activities designed to: develop leadership skills of young political party members, elected officials, candidates and youth; strengthen political party outreach and structures at the national and local levels; and ensure civic participation in, and civil society oversight of the 2011 national and 2012 municipal elections.

 

 

Responsibilities:

 

The COP will have the capacity to oversee in a fluid country context two significant elections, over a five-year period. The COP will contribute to the wider goals of promoting more transparent, accountable and representative democracy and governance processes in Nicaragua. He/she will be expected to coordinate with and complement USAID civil society, local government, and participant training programs. The COP will be responsible for all aspects of program implementation including planning, execution, evaluation and follow-up.  He/she oversees the program’s technical and administrative management, guides and supervises the Deputy COP, local staff and local and expat consultants and ensures that the Program complies with the terms of the Agreements with the donor(s), and facilitates the presence of an environment conducive for smooth and effective project implementation.  The COP is ultimately responsible for the delivery of all project outputs, the implementation of correction measures, wherever applicable, and the dissemination of the lessons learned.

 

 

Specific Responsibilities:

 

The COP:

 

1.      Ensures that Project annual work plans and budgets are consistent with the Project Document, contribute to fulfilling the overall Project Goal and Objectives, and take into account relevant socio-economic and political situations;

 

2.      Ensures that Project implementation and activities comply with the terms of the Agreements with the Donor(s), relevant National Laws and Regulations, as well as relevant MOUs with other parties;

 

3.      Fosters active, effective partnership with the Nicaraguan government and civil society;

 

4.      Assures coordination and synergy between the Project and other USAID initiatives, as well as with other relevant external projects and programs; keeps HQ informed of new developments and circumstances that may impact Project implementation; and supports the program’s overall strategic planning process, taking into account new developments in the sector or sub-sector, as well as relevant socio-economic and political situations;

 

5.      Increases public, national and governmental awareness on the needs and ways to significantly improve democratic processes within the relevant legal, institutional, and policy frameworks;

 

6.      Directly supervises the DCOP, local staff and local and expat consultants assigned to the Project, and facilitates Project implementation and management to the highest standards; Ensure that program’s goals and objectives are pursued and implemented as provided by the program description and the terms of the Cooperative Agreement. Lead revisions and adjustments to the work plans as needed, in order to adequately respond to problems and/or challenges to program’s implementation;

 

7.      Coordinates the development of Project budgets, in close collaboration with USAID and HQ, including the directors of program, finance and operations;

 

8.      Through program oversight, ensures the overall technical quality of project capacity building programs, awareness raising and other activities aimed at expanding and/or strengthening the skills of Project staff, partners and stakeholders to ensure that technical capacity exists to maintain or continue project activities even after the project completion date;

 

9.      Oversees in conjunction with the DCOP the effective implementation of the Program’s M&E system and the documentation of lessons learned from program implementation;

 

10.   Manages and maintains regular contacts with the Donor(s), relevant Government, and stakeholder institutions and agencies, and coordinates with relevant bilateral and/or multilateral donors who may have an interest in the project or related activities;

 

 

Qualification Requirements:  

 

·        Minimum ten years international development experience in the civil society development, political processes, electoral systems, democracy and other relevant field(s); the bulk of this experience is expected to be field work with programs dealing with democratic processes and electoral systems in developing countries

·        Minimum  five years of successful field experience in Latin America or Central America required; Previous work experience in Nicaragua preferred;

·        Minimum three years in previous successful senior management position such as COP or Technical Director position required;  five or more years experience is preferred.

·        Ability to deal with the highest level of government, civil society partners and donor personnel;

·        Proven ability to manage complex, high-demand projects;

·        Proven leadership skills, as well as expertise in strategic program planning, implementation and management;

·        Superior interpersonal and leadership skills in a multicultural environment; Excellent team building skills; Analytical skills, supervision, and negotiations;

·        Experience with projects and strategies which adhere to USAID Political Party Assistance Policy, which entail the ability to assist all significant democratic parties with equitable levels of assistance.

·        Experience with ensuring that gender activities are mainstreamed into all activities, reporting and indicators, and a track record in balancing the participation of women and men;

·        Proven track record managing  project teams composed of  technical experts, finance and support staff;

·        Solid understanding of financial systems, planning, and reporting;

·        Fluency/Communication skills (both oral and written) in English and Spanish is required;

·        Solid skills in word processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail programs;

·        Advanced Degree in the relevant technical fields (minimum Master’s degree) required. 

 

 

How to Apply:  Please send resume/CV that clearly shows you meet the required Skills/Experience of the position by email to Linda.aines@internationalink.net.   Please include “Chief of Party - Nicaragua” in subject line of your email. 

 

 Closing Date for applications:    January 4, 2010 

 

 

Thank you for viewing this position and hope that if it is not in your area of expertise that you will forward to your colleagues who may be interested.

 

Happy New Year to all of you,

 

Sincerely,

Linda Aines,   International Link Recruitment Service

Sudbury, Vermont, USA 

Tel: +802-273-2330    

http://www.internationalink.net

 

 Note:  If you wish to unsubscribe and opt out of future mailings related to finding international experts, please forward this email to list@internationalink.net  and add “Remove” in the subject line.