The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) is a democratic, mass-based social movement that campaigns for the advancement of the constitutional rights to life, dignity, equality, freedom and safety for all people, but especially those living in informal settlements across South Africa.
The SJC seeks to appoint an Executive Director (ED). The ED will work with the SJC Board and staff as the main executive responsible of the organization.
The ED is responsible for shaping and co-leading an organizational strategy that emerges from consultative processes amongst communities staff, leadership, advisors, partners, allies and funders. The ED ensures the organization is relevant, healthy and well positioned to influence and collaborate with others in the sector. The ED ensures a critical balance between being responsive to context and allies and being ‘ahead of the curve anticipating trends and opportunities across civil society.
This requires understanding the distinct histories and making sense of country regional trends to forge an agenda and identity/step into opportunities for creative action and influence. Executive Director Vacacy 2021 Job Purpose: Founded on 16 June 2008, the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) is a democratic, mass-based social movement that campaigns for the advancement of the constitutional rights to life, dignity, equality, freedom, and safety for all people, but especially those living in informal settlements across South Africa
The ED will provide leadership along with the members of the Board and the Management Committee (MANCO) made up of the organization’s various program heads lead the implementation of SJC’s strategy framework in the context of the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic and the appropriate place and nature of feminist organizations and organizing in the world. In addition to facilitating effective coordination and integration of the work of all SJC departments (Programs, Research, Communications, Finance and Operations), the ED will also be expected to stabilize SJC in all regards and particularly in regard to resourcing. It is expected that the ED position will be filled by the 1st of March 2022. Overview of the position The ED is responsible for shaping and co-leading an organizational strategy that emerges from consultative processes amongst communities staff, leadership, advisors, partners, allies and funders. The ED ensures the organization is relevant, healthy and well positioned to influence and collaborate with others in the sector. The ED ensures a critical balance between being responsive to context and allies and being ‘ahead of the curve anticipating trends and opportunities across civil society. This requires understanding the distinct histories and making sense of country regional trends to forge an agenda and identity/step into opportunities for creative action and influence.
Key responsibilities:
Driving the strategy implementation including organizational reform processes emanating from the strategic framework
Drive an institutional culture that uphold feminist values
Provide leadership, strategic visioning and guidance with regard organizational positioning internationally in line with SJC mission and values
Ensure consistent standards of excellence and innovation within the organization
Act as ex-officio board member, keeping the SJC Board appraised and engaged with the strategic and organizational issues
Provide financial oversight including ensuring the development and maintenance of sound finance practices and efficient and effective management of all financial functions of organization
Ensure adequate organization policies and procedures are in place to guarantee compliance to compliance to contracts, registration requirements, and donors
Ensure and promote a safe work environment and organization culture aligned with the SJC values
Lead and guide the definition of strategies, operational models, plans budget of the organization, aiming at achieving its goals and fostering the implementation of plans
Build new and strategic alliances to ensure effectives development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives that will fortify the ability of the organization to fulfill upon its mission
Play a lead role in mobilizing resources (from institutional and individual donors), strategic alliances, external relations and advocacy, anticipating and engaging with new opportunities for resources, strategic partnership and broader influence
Represent the organization at key events, including speaking engagements, advocacy for right based police and programs, authoring articles and op editorials and other highly visible roles that share SJC’s political experience and perspective to shape civil society discussion;
Build political and social networks with other institutions and NGO’s both at national and international levels, in order to contribute to the mission of the organization
Ensure the proper management of the organization’s resources to achieve institutional goals by maximizing the resources; and
Ensure compliance with the code of conduct throughout the organization and commit to be example of this in your practice and behaviors.
Skills, Knowledge, Experience:
Master’s degree or similar. Other complementary leadership and managerial training will be an asset.
At least 5 years of experience in executive or senior leadership position in civil society setting and developing strategies and leading teams with high diversity.
Proven track record of successful leadership and management of complex, change oriented and ground-breaking organizations.
Experience in building healthy teams and a collaborative organizational culture
Agile leadership and change management capacity.
Experience in working or collaborating with NGOs or other civil society organizations
Experience in international organizations will be an asset
Proven track record and experience/skill in setting vision and developing strategy
Capacity in supervising budgetary and financial management in an organization
Transformational leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with strong skills in developing people and supporting them to reach their maximum potential.
Proven experience in building and supporting a high-performance, transformational senior leadership team, able to play an active role an attracting, retaining and developing staff
Experience in leading advocacy, policy and influencing work at various levels.
Ability to achieve results through a team with a high level of responsibility, involvement, autonomy and competence.
Experience in fundraising and donor engagement.
Ability to lead the necessary changes to achieve the objectives of the organization.
Ability to make quick and strategy-focused decisions.
Excellent communication and external relationship skills in order to represent the organization.
Knowledge of South Africa and the Southern Africa region’s social, political and economic context.
Experience in public engagement and digital transformation will be an asset.
Fluency in English and at least one of South African national language in essential.
Availability to travel national and internationally up to five weeks per year and five weeks in short trips.
Qualifications:
A master’s degree in social science, development or related discipline.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Fluency in one of the local languages (Isixhosa) and 5 or more years of progressive management experience in a development or voluntary sector organization.
Five or more years working at senior level for non-profit management experience The SJC offers a competitive salary, which is based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
The SJC is committed to transformation. Black South Africans and women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position, If you are interested in this postision, please send your comprehensive CV, covering letter and three contactable references to [email protected]. In your covering letter, please provide a detailed explanation of why you are interested in working for the SJC in particular, and what qualities and experience you would bring to the role.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and will be expected to make themselves available for interview in January 2022. SJC is an affirmative action employer, wherever possible, selection will favour previously disadvantaged individuals, provided they are in possession of the required skills, knowledge, and experience.
For more about the Social Justice Coalition, refer to www.sjc.org.za