Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Culture:
- Be a bold and courageous, proximate leader who is committed to impact and innovation.
- Advance and preserve the Village Enterprise culture of Ubuntu, trust, transparency, integrity, safeguarding, diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization.
- Create an environment of accountability for highly effective communication, systems, and relationships to ensure every voice matters.
- Mentor team members.
- Ensure teams maintain healthy dynamics and collaborate effectively.
Strategy & Vision:
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors and team members to develop institutional and programmatic strategies aligning with Village Enterprise’s mission.
- Utilize stakeholder input to drive key priorities and initiatives.
- Mobilize teams and resources to meet priorities while remaining agile.
- Leverage cultural and global insights to ensure Village Enterprise’s work remains rooted in Africa and relevant globally.
Fundraising & Development:
- Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising and development strategies to secure the financial resources required for Village Enterprise’s programs and strategic initiatives.
- Identify and cultivate relationships with potential donors, including foundations, corporate partners, and individual supporters, to diversify revenue streams.
- Collaborate with the Executive Team to ensure effective resource allocation and fundraising coordination.
- Provide leadership in developing and maintaining a sustainable fundraising model that aligns with Village Enterprise’s mission and values.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant fundraising regulations and standards.
- Explore and implement strategic partnerships that enhance fundraising efforts.
Operations
- Lead the ongoing development and management of a highly-skilled staff; inspire a spirit of collaboration and cohesion across the entire organization; identify strategies to maintain high morale and facilitate unity around a common purpose and mission; create an atmosphere that rewards initiative and cross-organization collaboration for results; prioritize building a diverse and inclusive environment
- Work with Chief Operating Officer and VP of People to advance sound human resources policies and procedures, including clear staff functions, performance appraisal, and compensation reviews to boost Village Enterprise’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining top talent
- Work with Chief Impact Officer to drive innovative and rigorous research agenda as well as results-based funding efforts.
- Provide oversight to all financial and compliance-related aspects of the organization including budgetary processes, audits, cash flow management, and financial analysis; regularly assess the organization’s financial systems and controls, ensuring that sound and efficient financial structures are in place and that reporting systems are accurate
- Inspire the team to achieve continuous improvement and innovation in systems and programs that support operational efficiency, excellence and compliance
Influence and Voice
- Develop and nurture internal and external relationships with key constituencies, including all offices, regional and country teams, government officials, and the donor community.
- Maintain personal relationships with key donors to secure ongoing support and explore strategic partnerships beyond the current donor base.
- Identify, build, and manage effective partnerships to ensure Village Enterprise is engaged in relevant global forums.
- Intentionally nurture Village Enterprise’s brand and reputation.
Governance
- Board Engagement: Serve as the staff liaison to the board and board committees
- Strategy: Present organizational strategy to the Village Enterprise board for approval
- Budget: Present an annual budget for approval to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors; and subsequent reporting of progress against the approved budget.
- Communication: Communicate effectively with the Village Enterprise board and providing in a timely and accurate manner all information necessary for the board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
Pivotal Experience & Expertise:
• Strategic Development and Implementation: Has developed and successfully implemented strategies across an enterprise in Africa; progressive thinker willing to explore new ideas; has created a shared vision and motivated others across an organization.
• Communication & External Presence: Gravitas; strong external presence with a positive global reputation; ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organization and with key external stakeholders around the world; ability to embrace diverse perspectives.
• Global Connectivity: Global awareness; knowledge of the geopolitical environment; thought leader in the sector; internationally connected; ability to lead across various cultures and constituency groups both in Africa and abroad.
• Operational & Crisis Management: Experience building and managing teams in decentralized environments of similar size and scope to Village Enterprise; proven ability to build diverse and inclusive cultures across multiple offices; experience operating within a systems approach and an outcomes-based model; ability to inspire courageous leadership during times of crisis.
• Fundraising: Experience raising funds from both institutional and individual funders; ability to diversify revenue streams and identify creative fundraising strategies to reach new donors.
• Financial and Legal Oversight: Experience managing a budget, staff and programs of similar size and complexity to Village Enterprise with staff and operations in several states in the US and 5 countries in Africa.
Leadership Traits:
High Emotional Intelligence Leader: Curious, self-aware, cognizant of bias, empathetic, and willing to listen; humble; has a growth and open mindset; passion for Village Enterprise’s mission; courageous and inspirational leader.
Innovator: Track record of leveraging diverse thinking for ideation, innovation, and learning; approaches problem solving and strategic planning with this mindset; incorporates technology.
Culture Shaper: Track record and experience holding themselves and team members accountable to evolving cultures across complex global environments; track record for developing a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Spokesperson: Excellent public speaker and thought leader.
Key Stakeholders:
The ideal candidate will have experience working with all of these internal and external stakeholders, ideally in a leadership capacity.
Internal Stakeholders:
Board of Directors: The board plays a critical role in governance, oversight, and decision-making. They provide strategic guidance, set policies, and ensure the Village Enterprise mission is fulfilled.
Executive Leadership: The executive leadership manages the day-to-day operations and provides for the overall leadership of the organization.
•Staff: Employees are vital internal stakeholders. They carry out Village Enterprise’s programs and operations, and their commitment and dedication are essential to our success.
External Stakeholders:
• Donors and Funders: Village Enterprise relies on funding from a diverse set of donors and funders including individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Our Entrepreneurs: Village Enterprise exists to equip people living in extreme poverty in rural Africa to start sustainable businesses. A deep understanding of the challenges and the opportunities that rural entrepreneurs face in rural Africa is critical.
• Government and Regulators: Government is the primary stakeholder to scale our model throughout the continent. In addition, government agencies and regulators oversee Village Enterprise to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Nonprofit Partners: Village Enterprise collaborates with many nonprofit partners to achieve our mission. These partners are essential for reaching our strategic goals, resource sharing, fundraising, and expanding impact.
• Advocacy Groups and Allies: Village Enterprise engages in advocacy work and works closely with several important allies and partners: InterAction, UnlockAid, World Bank Partnership for Economic Inclusion, Leadership Collaborative, and others.
• Media and Public Opinion: Raising Village Enterprise’s visibility and brand awareness is key to raising funds and competitive positioning.
• Private Sector Actors: Village Enterprise works with multiple private sector actors to achieve our mission: technology companies, mobile telecommunications providers, agricultural private companies, etc.
