Strategic Leadership:
Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Dignitas.
Implement and oversee the execution of the Strategic Plan.
Serve as the primary spokesperson and relationship builder with government education partners, funders, and other key stakeholders.
Ensure Dignitas achieves its mission of transforming education in marginalized communities.
Fundraising and Business Development:
Lead efforts in business development and fundraising to secure resources for the organization's programs and initiatives.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
Develop and implement strategies to diversify and increase funding sources.
In partnership with staff, expand donor base among foundations, philanthropic funds, corporates, and high net-worth individuals.
Operational Management:
Drive organizational effectiveness and efficiency across all departments.
Manage a staff of 35+ professionals at the headquarters in Nairobi.
Oversee budgeting, financial management, and reporting to ensure financial health, transparency at all levels, and sustainability.
Work closely with department heads and direct reports to manage and streamline operations.
Program Development:
Guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of Dignitas' programs to ensure they honor and respect community needs, and meet the highest standards of quality and impact.
Support the development of innovative educational practices and methodologies.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning within the organization.
Team Leadership:
Lead and inspire a team of dedicated professionals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Coach staff towards individual and team goals and build a culture that prioritizes learning and professional development for staff.
Ensure alignment and coordination across departments to achieve organizational goals.
Advocacy and Public Engagement:
Advocate for educational equity and policy change at local, national, and international levels.
Represent Dignitas in public forums, conferences, and media engagements.
Build partnerships with government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to advance the organization's mission.
Board Management:
Act as a bridge between the staff and the Board, ensuring clear communication and alignment of goals.
Work with the Board to drive organizational strategy, growth, and sustainability.
Culture and Values:
Model an inclusive, accountable, and collaborative leadership culture.
Embody Dignitas' values of empowerment, humanity, partnership, accountability, equity, participation
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree required, Master's Degree or equivalent experience preferred.
Minimum 15-20 years of work experience; 7 years of increasing managerial leadership experience
High emotional intelligence and outstanding interpersonal skills.
Belief that every student, in every circumstance can achieve excellence.
A heart for education and the belief that access to a quality education can transform lives.
Visionary and innovative thinker who understands how to lead at the margins.
Equity-driven leader who navigates external and internal dynamics fluently and enjoys interacting at all levels across cultures.
Proven experience in senior leadership roles in the social impact space, preferably within the education sector.
Strong background in fundraising and business development and building external partnerships.
Demonstrated success in managing operations and leading high-performing, multicultural teams.
Strong familiarity with the challenges faced by schools, families, and children in marginalized communities.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
Strong financial management skills.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Strategic thinker with the ability to drive analysis and solve problems creatively and effectively.