Executive Director, Non-Profit GBV Organisation, Johannesburg
HR Innovation · Johannesburg, Gauteng
Overview
Lead a non-profit organisation in Johannesburg that supports women affected by gender-based violence. This is a senior executive role for a purpose-driven leader with strong non-profit management and fundraising experience. You will work closely with the Board, manage a team, and drive real impact in township communities. If you are passionate about women's rights and ready for a hands-on leadership challenge, this could be your next career move.
About the role
This is an opportunity to lead a non-profit organisation dedicated to addressing gender-based violence and supporting women affected by abuse. Reporting to the Board of Directors, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across organisational sustainability, fundraising, financial management, programme delivery, governance and stakeholder relationships.
The successful candidate will be a strategic and hands-on leader who can inspire teams, build strong partnerships and drive meaningful impact within a resource-constrained environment. You must be comfortable working in a township environment and understand the associated community dynamics and challenges.
Key focus areas include:
- Working with the Board to develop and implement the strategic plan
- Leading fundraising and donor development efforts
- Overseeing financial management and budgeting
- Supervising the Deputy Director, Finance Manager and Communications Officer
- Ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed programme delivery
- Acting as spokesperson and building the organisation's public profile
Requirements
- Postgraduate degree in Law, Social Sciences or a relevant field
- Minimum of 5 years of direct work experience in nonprofit senior management
- Demonstrated experience in fundraising and development
- Experience in community-based programmes and working with a broad range of stakeholders
- Experience working with victims of gender-based violence or other vulnerable populations
- Proven success working with a Board of Directors
- Strong project management, monitoring and evaluation, financial management and budgeting skills
- Competence in reading and understanding financial documents, including budgets, cash flow, income and expenditure statements and balance sheets
- Excellent supervision and people-management skills
- Superb interpersonal skills and ability to generate respect and trust
- Strong networking and relationship management skills
- Demonstrated resourcefulness in resource-constrained settings
- Ability to provide long-term vision while creating pragmatic solutions to day-to-day problems
- Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
Responsibilities
- Work with the Board of Directors and staff to develop and implement the organisation's strategic plan
- Articulate the organisation's vision, mission, theory of change and value proposition to staff, volunteers, partners and donors
- Model and promote the organisation's values and culture, setting a high standard for ethical behaviour
- Supervise and develop the Deputy Director and Finance Manager, providing guidance and support
- Identify and foster relationships with potential strategic partners, including government agencies, NGOs and community partners
- Develop and implement a comprehensive financing strategy aligned with the mission and strategic plan
- Identify and cultivate relationships with foundations, corporates, high-level donors and other funding sources
- Build trust with donors through compelling proposals, impact reporting and stewardship plans
- Lead a team to plan and execute an annual fundraising event
- Provide regular updates to the Board and support board recruitment, onboarding and evaluations
- Oversee financial management in partnership with the Finance Manager, including budgeting, monitoring and reporting
- Support recruitment, onboarding and performance management of staff
- Ensure an enabling environment for staff productivity and oversee technology and cybersecurity
- Ensure programme quality is trauma-informed and compliant with best practices and legal standards
- Develop and implement marketing and communications strategy, acting as spokesperson
- Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations, including tax and employment laws
Job details
- Organisation
- HR Innovation
- Location
- Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Executive (5+ years)
- Education
- Postgraduate diploma
- Salary
- R75k to R91.7k per month / monthly
- Category
- Social Work & NGO
- Application Method
- Apply manually
Success Guide
This is a senior leadership role, so your application should highlight more than just your qualifications. The Board will want to see evidence of your fundraising track record and your ability to manage a non-profit in a resource-constrained environment. Tailor your CV to show specific examples of donor relationships you have built, funds you have raised, and teams you have led. Also demonstrate your understanding of gender-based violence issues and trauma-informed approaches. In an interview, be ready to discuss how you would balance strategic vision with hands-on operational management. Show that you are comfortable working in a township setting and that you can inspire a team while navigating challenges. Prepare examples of how you have worked with a Board and managed financial controls. This is a role where passion for the cause must be matched with practical management skills.
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