Executive Director

Action Appointments Development Recruitment (Pty) Ltd; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization based in Johannesburg is seeking an Executive Director to provide strategic and operational leadership. The role involves overseeing programmes, ensuring financial compliance, and leading fundraising efforts while promoting a healthy organizational culture. Applicants must possess a Master’s degree and have extensive experience in violence prevention and peacebuilding. Interested candidates should submit their applications by 15th February 2026.

Qualifications

• At least a Master’s in a relevant degree such as human rights or social work.
• Proven experience in thematic areas related to violence prevention.
• Minimum of 10 years' management experience.

Responsibilities

• Advance the growth of the organisation towards its objectives.
• Oversee programmatic and support staff to ensure successful execution.
• Build networks and relationships with funders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Operational management

Governance compliance

Public relations

Education

Master’s degree in relevant fields

Job description

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) is a non-governmental organisation which envisions societies that are peaceful, equal and free from violence. CSVR aims to understand and prevent violence, heal its effects and build sustainable peace at community, national and regional levels. We do this through collaboration with and learning from the lived and diverse experiences of communities affected by violence and conflict to inform innovative interventions, generate knowledge, shape public discourse, influence policy, hold States accountable and promote gender equality, social cohesion and active citizenship.

About the Job

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) is seeking an Executive Director to provide strategic, operational, and public leadership. Reporting to the Board, the role is responsible for advancing organisational strategy, overseeing programmes and support functions, ensuring strong financial and governance compliance, and fostering a healthy organisational culture. The Executive Director will lead fundraising efforts, strengthen relationships with funders and partners, and position CSVR in national, continental, and international forums. This is a one-year contract, renewable subject to funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership – Advancing the growth of the organisation towards the realisation of its objectives by nurturing the conditions for the effective implementation of the organisational strategy on the basis of the applicable organisational standards and rules as well as available resources and capacity
• Operational management & financial oversight – Oversee, lead and motivate the programmatic and support staff of the organisation for ensuring both successful execution of programmatic as well as IT, HR admin and risk management plans and managing budgets and spending, ensure financial compliance and cost-effective use of resources
• Fundraising – actively seek funding opportunities, build network and relationship with existing and new funders, lead and support management team in fund raising activities
• Governance compliance – ensure compliance with applicable laws, human resources, funding and financial rules and obligations of the organisation
• Partner/stakeholder relationship – initiate, build, sustain, and expand strategic relationship with key partners and stakeholders including funders, stakeholders of CSVR programs including national governments, African and international intergovernmental organisations, CSOs, the media and peer organisations
• Representation and public relations – Profile and strategically position the organisation in national, continental and international forums and promote the CSVR brand
• Promote and maintain a healthy organisational culture

Requirements

• At least a Master’s in a relevant degree (Human rights, social work, psychology, gender, business administration, law, development etc)
• Proven experience in at least one of CSVR’s thematic areas.
• At least 10 years’ management experience
• At least 15 years’ experience in the field of violence prevention/peacebuilding/gender/trauma/mental health and psychosocial support/transitional justice and/or human rights.
• Experience in a non-profit environment will be an added advantage
• Only applicants with the right to work in South Africa will be considered.

To apply

To apply, email your application (completed AA bio form, one page motivation letter and updated CV [all in MS Word format]) by Sunday 15th February 2026 to [e-mail]