Executive Manager job at African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)

Background

As a pan-African feminist fund, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) resources, strengthens and upholds women’s rights and feminist organisations and movements across Africa, in order to make gender justice a reality for all on our continent and worldwide.

Over the past 25 years, AWDF has awarded approximately USD 100 million to women’s rights and feminist organisations throughout Africa (and in selected Middle Eastern countries through one of our initiatives). Through its grantmaking, programmatic and advocacy work, AWDF has supported work that led to changes in law and policy, social norms, narrative, and movement-building for gender justice.

Building on its strong track record, in 2023 AWDF launched Lemlem, a ten-year strategic framework (2023-2033), which guides its efforts to advance gender equality and gender justice for girls, women and gender-diverse people across Africa. At its core, the strategy’s focus is on resourcing, nurturing and strengthening those who are best placed to achieve transformative change: African women’s and feminist groups, organisations and movements.

Role Fit

Are you experienced in supporting a CEO, executive leadership and senior management functions to facilitate effective priority-setting, decision-making, cross-department integration and organisation-wide collaboration, in pursuit of achievement of organizational goals and outcomes?

Do you have experience coordinating and collaborating across leadership and management teams? Working closely with the CEO, the Director of Programmes, Director of Operations and the Director of Partnerships, in coordinating selected organisation-wide planning-related processes and initiatives?

Are you ready to join our Executive team to oversee the Executive Office team’s work to ensure the CEO can focus her time and energy on top priorities and strategic objectives as well as working with the CEO in facilitating the strategic and effective engagement of the Board of Directors?

Job Summary

The Executive Manager’s role is to provide support to AWDF’s CEO, executive leadership and senior management functions to ensure and facilitate effective priority-setting, decision-making, cross-department integration and organisation-wide collaboration, in pursuit of organizational goals and outcomes. The Executive Manager will support the CEO in coordinating collaboration across the AWDF leadership and management team. Working closely with the CEO, the Director of Programmes, Director of Operations and the Director of Partnerships & Voice, she/they will coordinate selected organisation-wide planning-related processes and initiatives. She/they will also oversee the Executive Office team’s work to ensure the CEO can focus her time and energy on top priorities and strategic objectives. In addition, the Executive Manager will work with the CEO in facilitating the strategic and effective engagement of the Board of Directors. The Executive Manager will directly supervise the Executive Assistant.

Specific Duties:

Support AWDF’s executive management function in effective decision-making, prioritisation, and collaboration

• Working closely with the CEO and Directors, keep track of key moments that are part of AWDF’s cadence of work, coordinate related cross-team conversations, decisions and initiatives in a timely and effective manner, and proactively identify potential gaps and priority misalignment for timely resolution.
• Working closely with SMT members, coordinating SMT priority-setting, decision-making, and collective SMT communications with the wider AWDF team.
• Coordinate the preparation, facilitation and documentation of SMT meetings retreats.

Lead/Coordinate the implementation of CEO-led cross-team initiatives and processes

In close collaboration with the Director of Operations and other SMT members:

• Strategically plan the content, cadence and execution of selected CEO-led team meetings and retreats led by the CEO (e.g. team retreats)
• Strategically plan and coordinate the delivery of selected CEO-led cross-team processes and initiatives led by the CEO, in service to organizational efficiency and coordination (e.g. annual planning)
• Project manage selected Executive Office-owned initiatives and processes as identified; keeping the CEO and SMT informed with timely updates.
• Monitor the timely execution of other organisation-wide initiatives and priorities; proactively anticipating and/or mitigating delays or challenges.

Support the CEO in focusing her time and energy on top priorities and strategic objectives

• Strategically support the CEO in keeping track of priorities, anticipating risks, and mitigating challenges, and assist the CEO in day-to-day coordination work, as adequate.
• Help coordinate and manage the flow of internal requests and communications to and from the CEO, and coordinate the preparation of selected cross-team materials before CEO review.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the CEO’s external communications plan, and support the CEO in preparing for external meetings and managing external communications (working closely with the Partnerships, Programmes and Operations department leads.
• Strategically plan, and oversee the execution of the Executive Office team’s work (including as the supervisor of the Executive Officer’s work)
• Represent the CEO in internal or external meetings and processes, as requested and appropriate.

Support the CEO’s key engagements and relations, internal and externally

• Act as a diplomatic steward when representing the CEO in coordination and communication with internal and external stakeholders
• Support the CEO in preparing for key internal and external meetings and engagements, including by coordinating the development of briefing materials and speaking points.
• Oversee adequate documentation and coordinate follow-up and execution of action points from key actions agreed at CEO meetings and engagements.
• Cultivate strong internal relationships within the AWDF team, including by staying abreast of organisational climate for CEO awareness, and acting as the first point of contact in the Executive Office for potential team stressors or concerns.

Facilitate the strategic and effective engagement of the Board of Directors.

• Coordinate and keep track of the Board’s cadence of work (e.g. decisions, meetings, etc.) and ensure alignment with broader organisational rhythm of work.
• Coordinate the preparation, execution, documentation and follow up of Board meetings, under the leadership of the CEO.
• Design and coordinate effective on-boarding and off-boarding processes for Board members, including recruitment process, term-length oversight, and term renewal processes, etc.)
• Strategically plan (with the CEO) and coordinate communications and regular with the Board Chair or the entire Board, and support the CEO in reacting to ad hoc requests coming from the Board
• Coordinate the implementation of selected Board-focused initiatives as well as the Board’s participation in key organisation initiatives.

Other

• The role might from time to time be required to carry out any other duties that are within the scope of the role but are not outlined above.
• All staff members must demonstrate AWDF Core values in all professional relationships and any interactions that may reflect on AWDF: Accountability & Integrity; Solidarity & Collective Care; Courage & Joy; Intersectionality & Meaningful Inclusion; Learning & Adaptability; Creativity & Curiosity.
• AWDF has a Zero Tolerance Approach to all forms of corruption, an offence which will lead to immediate dismissal.

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Understanding of and commitment to AWDF’s feminist principles and approaches
• Strong commitment to non-discrimination in all forms and active commitment to inclusive diversity
• Accountability- takes responsibility for all work activities and personal actions; follows through on commitments; maintains confidentiality with sensitive information; acknowledges and learns from mistakes without blaming others; recognizes the impact of one’s behaviour on others
• Creativity in AWDF work, including problem solving; by discovering new opportunities and solutions for problems by looking beyond current practices and using innovative thinking.
• Effective Communication - expresses oneself clearly and effectively when speaking and/or writing to individuals or groups; listens attentively; ensures that information is understood by all parties; shares information in a timely manner using the most appropriate method; presents well-organized information in a group setting
• People management, experience managing and developing a direct report, with the ability to delegate effectively, provide coaching and hold others accountable for results.
• Inclusive Collaboration - works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships; fosters enthusiasm and maintains mutual trust, candour and respect. Inclusiveness embraces the perspectives and contributions of each individual including their diversity.
• Consistently respectful - consistently treats colleagues and stakeholders respectfully by acknowledging and valuing individual differences, communication is open and civil, conflict is addressed early and fosters culture of empowerment and cooperation.
• Constructive Stakeholder Engagement - effectively building and managing relationships with our different stakeholders, engaging constructively with them in a planned and meaningful way in pursuit of our strategic objectives. .
• Integrity - Consistent demonstration of ethical, feminist leadership reflected in all aspects of personal and professional activities
• Professional excellence and consistent stewardship of AWDF assets.
• Commitment to live the values highlighted in the AWDF strategic framework.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years relevant work experience, preferably in a non-governmental organization or a foundation.
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience, ideally supporting an Executive in a regional or international organisation.
• Understanding of/experience of the goals and workings of women’s rights, feminist or philanthropic organisations a valued asset.
• First degree in Social Studies, Organisation Development, Management or related field

Job Location

• Work remotely from any African country where you have the legal right to work from.

Organisational Competencies:

• All staff members must demonstrate AWDF Core values in all their professional relationships and any interactions that may reflect on AWDF:
• Accountability & Integrity
• Solidarity & Collective care
• Intersectionality & Meaningful Inclusion
• Learning & Adaptability
• Courage & Joy
• Creativity & Curiosity

AWDF has a Zero Tolerance Approach to all forms of corruption which is an offence for which immediate dismissal without benefits will result.

• Working closely with the CEO and Directors, keep track of key moments that are part of AWDF’s cadence of work, coordinate related cross-team conversations, decisions and initiatives in a timely and effective manner, and proactively identify potential gaps and priority misalignment for timely resolution.
• Working closely with SMT members, coordinating SMT priority-setting, decision-making, and collective SMT communications with the wider AWDF team.
• Coordinate the preparation, facilitation and documentation of SMT meetings retreats.
• Strategically plan the content, cadence and execution of selected CEO-led team meetings and retreats led by the CEO (e.g. team retreats)
• Strategically plan and coordinate the delivery of selected CEO-led cross-team processes and initiatives led by the CEO, in service to organizational efficiency and coordination (e.g. annual planning)
• Project manage selected Executive Office-owned initiatives and processes as identified; keeping the CEO and SMT informed with timely updates.
• Monitor the timely execution of other organisation-wide initiatives and priorities; proactively anticipating and/or mitigating delays or challenges.
• Strategically support the CEO in keeping track of priorities, anticipating risks, and mitigating challenges, and assist the CEO in day-to-day coordination work, as adequate.
• Help coordinate and manage the flow of internal requests and communications to and from the CEO, and coordinate the preparation of selected cross-team materials before CEO review.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the CEO’s external communications plan, and support the CEO in preparing for external meetings and managing external communications (working closely with the Partnerships, Programmes and Operations department leads.
• Strategically plan, and oversee the execution of the Executive Office team’s work (including as the supervisor of the Executive Officer’s work)
• Represent the CEO in internal or external meetings and processes, as requested and appropriate.
• Act as a diplomatic steward when representing the CEO in coordination and communication with internal and external stakeholders
• Support the CEO in preparing for key internal and external meetings and engagements, including by coordinating the development of briefing materials and speaking points.
• Oversee adequate documentation and coordinate follow-up and execution of action points from key actions agreed at CEO meetings and engagements.
• Cultivate strong internal relationships within the AWDF team, including by staying abreast of organisational climate for CEO awareness, and acting as the first point of contact in the Executive Office for potential team stressors or concerns.
• Coordinate and keep track of the Board’s cadence of work (e.g. decisions, meetings, etc.) and ensure alignment with broader organisational rhythm of work.
• Coordinate the preparation, execution, documentation and follow up of Board meetings, under the leadership of the CEO.
• Design and coordinate effective on-boarding and off-boarding processes for Board members, including recruitment process, term-length oversight, and term renewal processes, etc.)
• Strategically plan (with the CEO) and coordinate communications and regular with the Board Chair or the entire Board, and support the CEO in reacting to ad hoc requests coming from the Board
• Coordinate the implementation of selected Board-focused initiatives as well as the Board’s participation in key organisation initiatives.

• People management
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Constructive Stakeholder Engagement
• Accountability
• Creativity
• Integrity

• At least 7 years relevant work experience, preferably in a non-governmental organization or a foundation.
• A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience, ideally supporting an Executive in a regional or international organisation.
• Understanding of/experience of the goals and workings of women’s rights, feminist or philanthropic organisations a valued asset.
• First degree in Social Studies, Organisation Development, Management or related field