Chief Executive Officer

Edwuma; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,750,000; Full time

Job summary

REPSSI seeks an experienced Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic leadership for its pan-African psychosocial support work. Based at REPSSI Headquarters in Randburg, South Africa, the CEO will partner with the Board to deliver the organisation’s 2026-2030 strategy and ensure programme excellence across 13 countries.

The role requires strong financial stewardship, fundraising, governance, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Sciences or Management or relevant field.
• 8 years of experience in a senior leadership position in a relevant field.
• 10 years of overall relevant professional experience.
• Significant resource mobilisation and advocacy experience.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.
• Experience managing a global or multi-branch organization preferred.
• Strong ethical and governance leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and executive leadership to REPSSI to maintain cutting edge in a competitive market.
• Maintain strong stakeholder relations at national, regional and international levels and identify partnerships.
• Lead aggressive resource mobilisation to secure financing for programmes.
• Oversee annual budgets, risk analysis and audit compliance.
• Provide strategic and thought leadership on REPSSI’s key competencies and governance.
• Lead programme development, delivery and training with quality standards.
• Motivate and mentor a high-performance team across multiple countries.
• Support Board oversight with reliable reports and fiduciary duties.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Governance & compliance

Entrepreneurial mindset

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Social Sciences/Management

Job description

# Chief Executive OfficerREPSSI•South Africa, South AfricaPosted 4 days agoFULL\\_TIMEON\\_SITESENIOR## About the RoleThe position is open to qualified individuals with experience working in Southern and Eastern Africa. The successful candidate will be expected to work from the REPSSI Head Quarters in Randburg, South Africa.REPSSI (the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) is a renowned pan African organisation that has been supporting governments and non-governmental organisations to provide holistic psychosocial care and support to children and their families in East and Southern Africa for 20 years now. REPSSI works in 13 countries and aims to enhance the psychosocial and mental wellbeing of girls, boys, youth their families and communities to be able to respond to challenges such as HIV and AIDS, conflict, poverty, climate change, environmental disasters and social strife.The 2026- 2030 strategy is anchored in five SMART outcomes that reflect our intent to deliver mental health and psychosocial wellbeing at scale, with integrity and impact;We will mobilize at least $35 million in diversified funding to sustain and scale our work across 13 countries, with 60% of new resources aligned to our strategic priorities and community partners.We will generate and disseminate 20 high-quality evidence products—including regional studies, policy briefs, and practice guides—that influence MHPSS policy and programming across East and Southern Africa.We will ensure that 90% of our direct service delivery meets or exceeds quality benchmarks, as defined by our regional MERL standards and validated through community feedback and independent surveys and evaluations.We will strengthen the capacity of 250 local organizations and government systems to deliver integrated, gender-responsive MHPSS services, with at least 50% of these led by youth, women, or marginalized groups and key populations.We will embed psychosocial wellbeing into 10 regional and national policy frameworks, positioning MHPSS as a core pillar of social protection, education, and climate resilience.Job SummaryREPSSI seeks to appoint an experienced and vibrant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will provide over-arching inspirational leadership to a dynamic organization operating in a fast paced, highly competitive environment with a national, regional and international footprint. Together with the Board, the CEO assures REPSSI’s relevance to the community, the accomplishment of REPSSI’s mission and vision, and the accountability of REPSSI to its diverse constituents. To thrive as a CEO, you must be a prudent manager and inspiring leader with business acumen who will take bold actions to enhance REPSSI’s global standing as the leading African psychosocial support advocate and provider of technical expertise.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic and Executive LeadershipProvide visionary strategic leadership, develop, review and ensure effective implementation of the strategic plan for REPSSI to maintain its cutting edge in a competitive market; guide business plans for the REPSSI programmes; ensure effective management of REPSSI’s executive team and day-to-day operations.Strategic stakeholder managementMaintain good relations with current development partners at national, regional and international levels; identify potential / new strategic partners and opportunities; and ensure active and meaningful contribution to strategic partnerships. Lead in ensuring expansion of REPSSI’s reputation and brand through innovative communication mechanisms.Resource mobilizationEngage in aggressive resource mobilization with traditional and non-traditional partners, securing new and additional resources and maximising existing resources.Financial sustainabilityOversee the development and effective management of annual budgets; ensure proper control over expenditure and report accordingly; complete risk analysis on potential investments and advise the Board of Directors with regard to investment risk and return; ensure compliance with all audit requirements; sustain an unqualified audit opinion.Research and innovationProvide strategic and thought leadership on REPSSI’s key competencies and its role appropriately internally and externally.Programme development, delivery and trainingLead and assure programme quality through development of bold programme elements to respond to new research and opportunities; and organizational stability through implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures, with regular evaluation.Human resources and transformationMotivates and leads a high performance management team dispersed in thirteen African countries, and provides mentoring as a cornerstone to career development for the team.Board Secretariat and SupportProvide timely and reliable reports and information to the board and members.Assist the Board exercise its oversight responsibilities and fiduciary duties.Essential Skills and Personality Traits:Strategic leadership and financial management experienceIn-depth knowledge of corporate governance and general management practiceAn entrepreneurial mindset with excellent organizational and leadership skillsExcellent interpersonal and communication skillsStrong negotiation and advocacy skillsMust thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging programme environmentAbility to set ambitious targets and drive to exceed themAbility to work outside of conventional office hours, and across time zonesKnowledge of Psychosocial Support and Mental Health in AfricaStrong ethical and governance leadershipMinimum Qualifications and Experience:Masters degree in Social Sciences or Management or relevant field8 years of experience in a senior leadership position in a relevant field10 years overall relevant professional experienceManagement experience of a global or multi branch organization preferredSignificant resource mobilisation and advocacy experience (not negotiable)Willingness to travel – the position requires up to 50% travel regionally/internationallyThis is a 5-year contract position subject to availability of donor funding and good performance.Remuneration will be commensurate with skills and experience. REPSSI is committed to the principles of employment equity.## RequirementsTo apply, submit a one-page written motivation, CV and three work related referees with contact details, certified copies of identity document and qualifications to [e-mail] \\*\\*quote reference\\*\\* \\*\\*Chief Executive Officer\\*\\* in the application subject line.Should you not hear from us within 30 days after the due date, consider your application as unsuccessful.