Executive Director (ED) at African Solutions to African Problems (ASAP)

African Solutions to African Problems (ASAP) supports grassroots organizations to care for orphans and vulnerable children in rural South Africa.

ASAP is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic person to be the Executive Director (ED) of this small yet impactful organisation. The position is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and will involve frequent travel to the field office in Matatiele and to our projects in the Eastern Cape.
 

Occasional trips to Europe and the USA will be necessary. ASAP is a registered charity in the UK and the USA (501(c)3) as well as South Africa (18A Trust). The Board is international and there are staff in the UK and USA to support work on fundraising and marketing.
 

The Executive Director will ensure the effective running of the organisation, with responsibilities that include overseeing the operations and project teams and being responsible for financial management. Additional responsibilities include reporting to the Board of Trustees, strategic planning to expand the reach of our projects, engaging with donor agencies and generating new funding sources. ASAP is a well established organisation with mature structures in place. This position is an excellent opportunity for a development professional who is looking to work with an established grassroots organisation that provides effective care for vulnerable children.
 

ASAP develops and supports Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) of women providing care for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) affected by HIV/AIDS in rural villages in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. These communities are in isolated, deeply rural, communities, which have been overwhelmed by the catastrophic effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

ASAP was founded in 2003, with a core mission of utilizing existing solutions to care for the increasing numbers of OVC, to channel funds to marginalized communities. This methodology has the benefit of maintaining cultural ties and strengthening communities that have been devastated by HIV/AIDS. In the ASAP Model, the OVC are able to remain with extended family, who are in turn supported in their role of caretaker. The other key benefit of our approach is that it is financially efficient; relatively small amounts can make a significant difference to a large number of children.

ASAP has developed a 6-year developmental model to provide long term holistic care for children that will positively impact their lives and futures. Initially, we identify emerging groups of women who want support from us. We then work with them over the course of 6 years to establish a Community Based Organization to provide nutrition, access to education, healthcare and government services, and psychosocial support to the OVC. We also provide a wide range of training that includes effective management operations, counselling and agricultural techniques. A key component of the Model is the building of a drop-in centre; this is the headquarters of the CBO from which care services are provided. Along side the drop-in centre, a permaculture garden is built to provide fresh nutritious food for the children on a year round basis. Other key elements of the services include programmes for youths and adolescents such as gender equality workshops, support to complete secondary education; and treatment and counselling for children who are HIV positive. In addition, we provide libraries to local schools, art and music workshops and grandmothers support groups.
 

The goal is that after six years, the CBO will graduate to be an independent entity, sourcing and managing their own funding streams so that they are sustainable in the long term to service the OVC of the community.
 

ASAP plans to increase the number of projects over the next 3 years, doing so at an appropriate pace so that we can maintain the integrity and effectiveness of our Model, while aiming to maximize the number of OVC who will benefit from the holistic long term care and long lasting benefits to the communities. The new Executive Director will play a key role in the design and execution of the expansion plan.

Main Responsibilities:

• Directly manage the headquarters and ensure effective day-to-day running of the organization; oversee operations in the Matatiele office to ensure the smooth running of programme support.
• Contribute to ASAP’s organizational strategy and budgets in consultation with the Board; implement them at an operational level.
• Growth plan – design and implement the strategy for the growth of the organisation.
• Manage and supervise the Programme team and the Finance team.
• Recruit, interview and select new staff as required that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the organization's mission.
• Ensure that all staff receive an orientation to the organization and are provided appropriate training.
• Manage the performance management process for all staff on an on-going basis as well as conducting annual performance reviews.
• Review existing policies and procedures on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as needed.
• Ensure that the communities we work with are served as per the highest humanitarian and development standards.
• Ensure adherence to financial policies and proper financial management of projects and programmes.
• Support the field office in working with government departments eg Department of Social Development; Department of Health, Department of Agriculture; Department of Education
• Oversee all financial reporting - year end and financial charts for annual reports and quarterly reports to donors.
• Cash flow planning and formulation in consultation with Finance Manager.
• Work with the Programme Manager to ensure the programmes are running smoothly and support and solutions are provided when obstacles are encountered.
• Monitor and approve all payments according to our policies and procedures.
• Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the organization. Set agendas and arrange the Board meetings. Possible travel to liaise with the Board.
• Supervise events, films, social media campaigns, publicity and website design.
• External Relations - Represent the organization to external audiences through participation in conferences, forums and fundraisers. Represent ASAP among government, NGOs (local and international), Foundations and Corporations.

Working Relationships:

Reporting to: The Board of Trustees;

Posts this Job Manages: Programme Manager; Finance Manager; Field Office staff.
 

Other key relationships: Founder and Programme Director; CBO leaders and board members; US and UK staff and accountants.

Skills and Experience:

• Excellent knowledge of NGO management.
• Staff management experience: ability to take charge as well as delegate
• Experience of working on projects supporting OVC and knowledge of the relevant policy issues.
• An entrepreneurial and flexible approach to community-based humanitarian work.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a minimum of five years practical, increasingly senior management experience.
• Experience of steering an organisation through a period of growth and expansion.
• Demonstrated experience of budget planning and financial management.
• Proven experience in fundraising, including grant writing, securing donations from major donors, trusts and foundations in the US and UK.
• Experience in working directly with, and reporting regularly to a Board.
• Ability to network at a senior level and engage in advocacy work.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Degree level qualification essential; relevant post graduate qualification preferable.
• Fluency in English essential; local languages desirable.

We invite qualified candidates to submit a resume and cover letter including salary expectations, to recruitment@africansolutions.org by midnight GMT 4th January 2015.