Chief Executive Officer at Dignitas Project

Key Responsibilities

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.