Executive Director

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

Job summary

A non-profit organization in South Africa is seeking an experienced Executive Director to lead the Community Just Transition Fund. The individual will be responsible for developing strategic plans, managing fundraising efforts, and overseeing organizational compliance. Must have 7-10 years of experience in social justice and proven ability in securing funding. This full-time role offers a unique opportunity to set up and manage the Fund, making a significant impact on local community initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in the social justice arena.
• Proven ability to secure funding through grants and donations.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the organisation’s strategic plan.
• Manage budgeting, financial reporting, and funder reporting.
• Responsible for recruitment of operational staff.
• Work with the Coordinator to develop website content.

Skills

Non-profit leadership

Fundraising and donor relations

Excellent written and verbal communication

Integrity and resilience

Stakeholder engagement

Climate justice knowledge

Governance and societal relationships understanding

Creative working environment management

Job description

The Community Just Transition Fund is a recently established re‑grantor to support community networks and initiatives working towards a just transition at local level. The Fund encompasses a supporting accompaniment structure, the Just Transition Hub, which will serve to resource and strengthen community groups and movements in their just transition work and towards the establishment of Just Transition Centres across South Africa. The Fund seeks to support a strategic and diverse selection of projects, monitor their progress and present to government and bigger financing institutions that can roll out at scale if appropriate.

About the Job

Remotely based, the Fund seeks to appoint a suitable qualified and experienced Executive Director in a full‑time position. This individual needs to have at least 7‑10 years’ experience in working in the social justice arena and with global funders. The Executive Director will deliver on the organisation’s strategy and have the exciting opportunity to set up and staff the Fund. This work is supported by core grants that have been secured.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and strategic vision

• Develop and oversee implementation of the organisation’s strategic plan, activities, objectives and campaign strategies
• Ensuring that the work of the Fund advances its Theory and Change and Strategic Plan
• Serving on the Board
• Designing and implementing a Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the Fund
• Lead with clarity and determination through the start‑up period of the Fund
• Leading the creation of a workplace culture which reflects the values of the Fund

Fundraising, donor relations and financial management

• Develop and implement fundraising strategy and build and maintain funder relationships to secure long‑term sustainability
• Manage budgeting, financial reporting, funder reporting, and regulatory compliance
• Identifying potential donors and preparing fundraising proposals
• Negotiating contracts with donors and ensuring implementation of contract requirements
• Preparing narrative reports to donors
• Participating in donor site visits and workshops

Organisational management

• Responsible for recruitment of operational staff
• Ensuring that the work of the Fund complies with all relevant policies
• Developing and amending policies where required
• Managing relationships with partners providing accompaniment including drafting Memoranda of Understanding

Communication

• Working with the Coordinator to develop website content
• Representing the Fund externally

Requirements

• Experience in the funding non‑profit leadership or a related sector, managing multi‑disciplinary teams and complex projects
• Proven ability to secure funding through grants, donations, and partnerships
• Excellent written (publication level) and verbal communication skills
• Integrity and resilience, and the ability to thoughtfully navigate complex external relationships
• Confidence to engage diplomatically with diverse stakeholders, inspire action and navigate uncertainty
• Proven ability to establish, nurture, and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with funders and partners
• Ability to initiate and nurture a creative working environment, respond positively to setbacks, and balance competing priorities
• Knowledge of climate justice and just transition relevant advocacy, policy and legislative frameworks (local and international)
• Insight into how complex governance and societal relationships define local development and democratic practices to challenge inequality and ensure accountability at a local level
• Ability to distil research and analysis into actionable recommendations and complex issues into compelling narratives for diverse audiences
• Openness to learning from both successes and failures, and to adopting innovative tactics and strategies