Executive Director Vacancy 2021
Job Purpose
Founded on 16 June 2008, the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) is a democratic, mass-based social
movement that campaigns for the advancement of the constitutional rights to life, dignity, equality,
freedom, and safety for all people, but especially those living in informal settlements across South Africa
The SJC seeks to appoint an Executive Director (ED). The ED will work with the SJC Board and staff
as the main executive responsible of the organisation. The ED will provide leadership along with the
members of the Board and the Management Committee (MANCO) made up of the organisation’s
various program heads lead the implementation of SJC’s strategy framework in the context of the
challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic and the appropriate place
and nature of feminist organisations and organising in the world. In addition to facilitating effective
coordination and integration of the work of all SJC departments (Programs, Research, Communications,
Finance and Operations), the ED will also be expected to stabilise SJC in all regards and particularly in
regard to resourcing.
It is expected that the ED position will be filled by the 1st of March 2022.
Overview of the position
The ED is responsible for shaping and co-leading an organisational strategy that emerges from
consultative processes amongst communities staff, leadership, advisors, partners, allies and funders.
The ED ensures the organisation is relevant, healthy and well positioned to influence and collaborate
with others in the sector. The ED ensures a critical balance between being responsive to context and
allies and being ‘ahead of the curve anticipating trends and opportunities across civil society. This
requires understanding the distinct histories and making sense of country regional trends to forge an
agenda and identity/step into opportunities for creative action and influence
Key responsibilities
Driving the strategy implementation including organisational reform processes emanating from the
strategic framework:
- Drive an institutional culture that uphold feminist values
- Provide leadership, strategic visioning and guidance with regard organisational positioning in line with SJC mission and values
- Ensure consistent standards of excellence and innovation within the organisation.
- Act as ex-officio board member, keeping the SJC Board appraised and engaged with the
strategic and organisational issues - Provide financial oversight including ensuring the development and maintenance of sound
finance practices and efficient and effective management of all financial functions of
organisation - Ensure adequate organisation policies and procedures are in place to guarantee compliance to
compliance to contracts, registration requirements, and donors - Ensure and promote a safe work environment and organisation culture aligned with the SJC values
- Lead and guide the definition of strategies, operational models, plans budget of the organisation, aiming at achieving its goals and fostering the implementation of plans
- Build new and strategic alliances to ensure effectives development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives that will fortify the ability of the organisation to fulfill upon its mission
- Play a lead role in mobilising resources (from institutional and individual donors), strategic alliances, external relations and advocacy, anticipating and engaging with new opportunities for resources, strategic partnership and broader influence
- Represent the organisation at key events, including speaking engagements, advocacy for right based police and programs, authoring articles and op editorials and other highly visible roles that share SJC’s political experience and perspective to shape civil society discussion;
- Build political and social networks with other institutions and NGO’s both at national and international levels, in order to contribute to the mission of the organisation
- Ensure the proper management of the organisation’s resources to achieve institutional goals by maximising the resources; and
- Ensure compliance with the code of conduct throughout the organisation and commit to be example of this in your practice and behaviours.
Skills, Knowledge, Experience
- Master’s degree or similar. Other complementary leadership and managerial training will be an
asset. - At least 5 years of experience in executive or senior leadership position in civil society setting
and developing strategies and leading teams with high diversity. - Proven track record of successful leadership and management of complex, change oriented
and ground-breaking organisations. - Experience in building healthy teams and a collaborative organisational culture
- Agile leadership and change management capacity.
- Experience in working or collaborating with NGOs or other civil society organisations
- Experience in international organisations will be an asset
- Proven track record and experience/skill in setting vision and developing strategy
- Capacity in supervising budgetary and financial management in an organisation
- Transformational leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with strong skills in developing people
and supporting them to reach their maximum potential. - Proven experience in building and supporting a high-performance, transformational senior
leadership team, able to play an active role an attracting, retaining and developing staff - Experience in leading advocacy, policy and influencing work at various levels
- Ability to achieve results through a team with a high level of responsibility, involvement,
autonomy and competence. - Experience in fundraising and donor engagement.
- Ability to lead the necessary changes to achieve the objectives of the organisation.
- Ability to make quick and strategy-focused decisions.
- Excellent communication and external relationship skills in order to represent the organisation.
- Knowledge of South Africa and the Southern Africa region’s social, political and economic
context. - Experience in public engagement and digital transformation will be an asset.
- Fluency in English and at least one of South African national language in essential.
- Availability to travel national and internationally up to five weeks per year and five weeks in
short trips.
Qualifications
- A master’s degree in social science, development or related discipline.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Fluency in one of the local languages (isiXhosa) and 5 or more years of progressive
management experience in a development or voluntary sector organisation - Five or more years working at senior level for non-profit management experience
The SJC offers a competitive salary, which is based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and
experience. The SJC is committed to transformation. Black South Africans and women are strongly
encouraged to apply for this position.
If you are interested in this position, please send your comprehensive CV, covering letter and three
contactable references to . In your covering letter, please provide a detailed explanation
of why you are interested in working for the SJC in particular, and what qualities and experience you
would bring to the role.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 26 November 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted, and will be expected to make themselves available for interview in January 2022.
SJC is an affirmative action employer, wherever possible, selection will favour previously
disadvantaged individuals, provided they are in possession of the required skills, knowledge, and
experience.