The Organization
Firelight Foundation (Firelight) is seeking a passionate, humble, values-driven African leader to serve as our new Executive Director. The Executive Director will lead Firelight’s experienced team committed to supporting community-based organizations (CBOs) working with their communities to drive systems change for children and youth in eastern and southern Africa.
Firelight is a multi-donor public charity fund that works with foundations, individuals, and institutions to provide philanthropic support to these CBOs. Firelight’s approach is founded on the belief, backed by experience and evidence, that by strengthening community-based systems and structures and developing the next generation of change makers, communities can best determine and sustain the change they want to see.
Position Overview
We take a justice and solidarity approach to grant-making, recognizing that there are imbalances of power and privilege in this world, and that we are part of these imbalances and must assess, question and actively transfer power away from ourselves. We believe that in philanthropy and in global development, being in solidarity requires donors and other holders of power and wealth to walk with, be guided by and shift power to the people and communities we seek to serve.
Reporting to the Firelight Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides leadership for the overall direction, strategy, and success of Firelight. Demonstrating the best attributes of servant leadership, the role provides the structures, inspiration and space to support a collaborative, collective, humble but strong, and effective team. Most team members are in Africa; some are in North America. The Executive Director oversees the Programs, Learning, Finance, Operations, Fundraising, and Communications of the organization, providing leadership and mentorship to Firelight’s Management Team.
This is a top leadership role in a growing organization. Firelight is seeking an inspiring, inclusive, and visionary leader to take our work and impact to the next level.
The incoming ED will have a deep knowledge of the social, development and humanitarian challenges on the continent and strong commitment to collaboration and community-based solutions. The ED will preferably be known and respected in the sector in Africa and beyond. With a high level of organizational leadership experience and a strong track record in team management, the incoming ED will also have fundraising and capacity-building experience. The ED will lead a diverse team located in multiple time zones, driven by Firelight’s vision and mission and rooted in Firelight’s core values.
Firelight prefers this role to be based in Africa, ideally in one of the countries where Firelight operates. Strong African candidates located in countries outside the continent will also be considered. The successful candidate will be offered a salary within the range of $160,000 to $200,000 per annum commensurate with their experience and will additionally receive various workplace benefits.
How To Apply
For more information and to apply, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/ quoting reference 6003. Your application should include a CV and covering letter detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification. The deadline for applications is Monday, August 22, 2022.
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