Executive Director

About Panzi Foundation

The Panzi Foundation is non-profit organization that provides survivors of sexual violence and conflict-related sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo with access to compassionate, holistic care.

The Foundation was founded in 2008 by Dr. Denis Mukwege (2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate) to complement the medical treatment survivors receive at Panzi Hospital, and to enact a vision of seeing women in general and survivors in general emerge as full-full-fledged actors in a society where social cohesion reigns, with the mission of working for the integral development of survivors in a holistic way.

Panzi’s holistic approach offers survivors confidential and comprehensive care across four “pillars”: medical care, psychosocial support, socio-economic reintegration, and legal services. Panzi Foundation also expands access to care through survivors through mobile clinics and community outreach, rapid response missions, partnerships with local health zones, and other initiatives that support survivors and local communities.

Panzi Foundation has experienced significant growth in the past years with multiple projects funded by national and international donors. As a result, the organisation is adapting to facilitate this growth and ensure a solid basis to enable for future further development.

To lead and support this change and to lead the development and implementation of the strategic vision we are looking for.

The Role

Job Summary

The Executive Director will lead the development of the strategic vision and leads and supports the implementation of the change process key decisions to ensure a sustainable growth.

Her/his duties include collaborating with the foundation’s leadership team, implementing strategic plans for the foundation’s development and managing relationships
with key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Vision and strategy
Lead the Foundation’s strategic direction; collaborate with staff, Board, survivors, and other key stakeholders to set clear goals and achieve the Foundation’s mission.

Organizational culture
Advance the Foundation’s work to build a diverse, safe equitable, and inclusive culture where all staff belong, and survivors’ well-being is paramount; foster a culture of transparency and collaboration.

Resource development
Ensure the financial sustainability of the Foundation by cultivating existing funder relationships and generating new revenue.

Operational best practices
Work in close collaboration with the Management team to ensure day-to-day operations are professionally and efficiently organized and administered.

Financial management
Oversee a multi-million-dollar portfolio of projects. Work in close collaboration with the Director of Administration and Finance to set financial priorities accurately, monitor the budget, and ensure sound financial controls are in place.

Relationship management
Nurture relationships with key stakeholders including survivors, staff, government agencies, sister organisations and Board members.

External communications
Serve as one of the principal spokespersons and advocate for the Foundation in local and national platforms and with media.

Desired Skills, Experience and Attributes

• Proven ability to develop consensus around and deliver on an organization’s strategic vision and successfully achieve its mission.
• Experience in a similar leadership role in the non-profit sector, including oversight of an organization or team’s people, operations, and finances of a similar size and complexity.
• Demonstrated aptitude for building and cultivating strong relationships with staff, Board, funders, and other key stakeholders.
• Successful record of fundraising for non-profit, including identifying and engaging new funding opportunities.
• Effective and persuasive communicator, strong interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to communicate with a broad range of audiences.
• Strong network and reputation.
• A record of transparent communication and collaborative decision-making.
• Experience leading an organization’s change process is a key asset.
• Fluent in both English and French.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal expertise and attributes:

Connection to the Mission
Leading by example, the Executive Director will understand that at all times, compassion is an essential quality. The Executive Director will have a collaborative spirit and will be a dynamic leader. They will also possess an intimate understanding of the challenges, needs and strength of survivors of conflict related sexual violence and subscribes to a survivor centred approach.

Leader
The Executive Director will be highly strategic, setting priorities decisively and collaboratively, delegating responsibilities, ensuring accountability, and effectively allocating resources to ensure results. They will have experience creating a strategic plan, defining outcomes, and living it on an annual basis. The Executive Director will have experience running a financially sound organization, managing and operating a budget, and grant management.

They will be skilled at listening to and learning from others with a deep belief in fostering a transparent, empowered, and productive organizational culture. They will have a passion for empowering and developing staff with a clear approach to expectations and accountability. The Executive Director will also know how to partner with and empower a Board to manage its fiduciary responsibilities and serve as ambassadors for the Panzi Foundation.

Development Oriented
The Executive Director will have the skills to articulate the vision of The Panzi Foundation in a manner that is compelling and attracts new and diverse supporters. This leader will have a track record of developing meaningful relationships with a variety of constituents and partners. They will have familiarity with a wide range of fundraising channels, including individual giving, organizational funding partners, and grants. The Executive Director will cultivate and grow relationships to strategically increase funding to ensure a consistent flow of revenue. They will have an inspirational approach that motivates donors and key stakeholders.