EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FULL-TIME; REPORTS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TASSC seeks a visionary team leader to serve as its new Executive Director. TASSC is the only organization founded by and for torture survivors. We seek someone who has experience with this community, professional skills in non-profit management and direct service delivery, a trauma informed approach to working with clients and advocacy experience.
Responsible to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director operates with a growing annual budget (now at 1.2 million) to oversee personnel, projects and other operations of the organization. The ED bears ultimate responsibility for the smooth functioning of the organization and the effective implementation of TASSC’s policy and goals including those related to programs, fundraising, public relations and networking.
TASSC seeks an executive director with qualities that reflect:
- A commitment to the mission of TASSC;
- Communication skills that enthusiastically embrace working with multicultural and multinational staff, survivors, donors and board members;
- Examples of leadership through a process of consensus building;
- Ability to understand and promote human rights of survivors of torture;
- Commitment to working in coalition with others to prevent torture and support survivors.
Specific responsibilities include:
LEADERSHIP
- Consults with the board to set overall TASSC strategic direction and policies and to identify short and long term opportunities;
- Facilitates the setting of TASSC’s annual objectives, develops and implements work plans to address priorities, and reports progress regularly to the Board of Directors;
- Advocates for the prevention of torture and for reparations and human rights of those who have survived torture;
- Motivates employees and the ability of the organization to attract and retain talent.
MANAGEMENT
- Establishes goals and priorities with staff and ensures effective implementation;
- Evaluates needs of survivors and how TASSC programs meet them, using results of evaluation to build strategic direction and improvement;
- Provides outstanding management and supports staff development and motivation;
- Ensures prudent financial management and practice within the organization, ensuring that expenditures do not exceed the overall financial resources;
- Communicates necessary financial information to the Board and others on a timely and regular basis;
- Collaborates with the board to develop short and long term policies that support the organization and the staff;
- Works with Board members to produce and implement a short- and long-term fundraising plan to secure resources necessary to achieve organizational goals.
ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY BUILDING
- Represent TASSC and its mission to outside audiences and advocates and promotes the organization and its core mission;
- Promote well being of survivors, staff and community through trauma informed approach:
- Actively manage membership recruitment and relations, ensuring communication with survivors during and after their time with TASSC;
- Build relationships with key agency personnel and advocates to provide various services to torture survivors (i.e. social, mental health, legal, etc.)
- Formulate action campaign strategies, including alerts to members and supporters;
- Build and nurture relationships with key members of Congress, NGOs and media contacts to promote TASSC’s mission;
- Maintain a working knowledge of related issues to torture, legislation, impunity, services, etc.
FUNDRAISING
- Lead and implement strategies to meet fundraising goals;
- In coordination with grant writers, oversee all grant projects and proposals;
- Ensure timely direct mail appeal mailings;
- Cultivation and stewardship of major donors and potential donors;
- Maintain relationship with grant making bodies
BOARD RELATIONS
- Work in partnership with the board to ensure operations comport with TASSC values and strategic direction
- Keep the Board fully informed on the organization and all important factors influencing it;
- Work with the Board Chair on focusing Board meetings on topics of highest priority that need Board attention and involvement;
- Provide Board members with appropriate information on the budget and other matters needed to support informed decision making and effective governance;
- Work closely with the board chair to guide and motivate board members;
- Serve as an advocate before the Board to present staff needs and concerns and to work with the board to meet staff needs;
- Assist in the selection and evaluation of Board members;
- Provide updates on programs and finances prior to each board meeting;
- Advise the Board, and formulates policies and planning recommendations to the Board;
- Engage Board members collectively and individually, in understanding and making sense of the organization’s environment, challenges, and potential.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
- Serve as the primary spokesperson and public face for TASSC;
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with individuals and groups that affect the success of the organization;
- Serve, with the Board and other Executive staff, as liaison to foundation, government, corporate, and individual donors;
- Prepare press releases, op-ed pieces, and the like;
- Work with Internal Operations staff to ensure consistency in publications, mailings, and website.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3-5 years progressive leadership experience in administration fundraising and management, preferably in a regional or national non-profit organization—previous experience as an Executive Director is a plus. Strong candidates will have a proven record of the following qualities:
- Personal commitment to the mission and goals of TASSC and an ability to inspire this in others;
- Experience as a, or with, torture survivor(s) is strongly preferred;
- Combination of education and experience in non-profit management;
- 5 years minimum of progressively responsible positions in complex organizations;
- Evidence of the ability to balance creative thinking, strategic planning, and tactical execution;
- Commitment to trauma informed approaches that promote well being of survivors, staff and community
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with senior management teams, Board members, staff, donors, prospective donors, and other key stakeholders;
- Strong financial and budgetary knowledge and skills;
- Development and fundraising knowledge and/or experience;
- Experience planning for, leading, or participating in a fundraising campaign is preferable;
- Exceptional communication skills, including listening, writing, and public speaking skills, with the ability to deliver compelling presentations to internal and external audiences;
- Ability to anticipate opportunities and to act quickly and resourcefully to take advantage of them;
- Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively;
- Collaborative management style working with staff and volunteers;
- Knowledge of grass roots and direct action organizing;
- Good judgment and integrity necessary to serve as an internal role model and brand ambassador.
Potential Start Date: July 2022
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer: This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and that other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. TASSC International may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit statement of interest and statement of personal qualifications, résumé, and 2 letters of recommendation to info@tassc.org. In the subject line of the email application please post the following: LAST NAME FIRST NAME ED APPLICATION. For example: DOE JANE ED APPLICATION
TASSC International is an equal opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. TASSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, genetic information, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
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Many thanks to Deb Sanders for bringing this to my attention!
🇺🇸 Due Process Forever!
PWS
06-05-22