Executive Director

Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) partners with more than 200 community-based organizations throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America to support sustainable change. Our development model relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. While respecting local value systems, we partner with local leaders to build networks and collaborate on community-driven approaches to development issues. 

Position Overview:

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the administration, management, and implementation of all international programs as well as the administration and management of our domestic office and financial/fund development activities.

The principle objective for the Executive Director is to successfully manage the organization's overall strategic development by doing the following: ensuring strategic plans are in place and that the existing strategic plan is effectively carried out; closely managing the headquarters and international staff; continuing the implementation of programmatic standards and best practices; diversifying our income streams through more contributed support and the integration of innovative fund raising strategies such as giving circles; and working to maintain integrity and balance in FSD's programming.

The priority of this position is to ensure that there are sufficient funding and management structures in place to assure continued programmatic success and impact, thereby furthering FSD's mission.

Responsibilities:

A. Organizational Leadership and Management (approximately 20% of the time):

• Provide leadership and direction for international development and cultural exchange programs, including impact assessment and program evaluation.
• Provide leadership and oversight for transitioning and integration of newly acquired donor circle program.
• Ensure oversight of the operations of a San Francisco-based staff and international contingent of contract workers.
• Continually refine and improve an organizational approach that supports FSD's mission of enhancing international NGO development through the use of intern placement, technical training, capacity building, and grant support.
• Operationalize and implement the strategic plan as developed by the organization and approved by the FSD Board of Directors.
• Manage the budget, providing overall structure and guidance based on programmatic needs.
• Perform other related duties and activities to support the overall efficiency and development of the organization

B. Fundraising, Donor Relations, and Board Development (approximately 40% of the time):

• Ensure the creation and implementation of annual or multi-year Development Plans that will ensure organizational stability and continued progress toward achieving FSD's mission.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff and board efforts focused on fundraising approaches that complement the organization's mission, strategic plan, and organizational strengths.
• Actively pursue annual fundraising goals in accordance with Development Plan and ensure these goals are effectively communicated to relevant parties on the staff and Board.
• Coordinate with staff and board to ensure that timely and appropriate printed materials, web content and other media are developed for fundraising.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and be present in other venues where representative presence would support FSD's fundraising efforts.
• Increase the involvement and engagement of the Board to help the organization achieve its programmatic and fiduciary objectives.
• Envision and facilitate the creation of meaningful roles for the board members in achieving the programmatic aspects of FSD's strategic plan.
• Work cooperatively with the Board to finalize and continuously refine FSD's strategic plan.

C. Program Management and Development (approximately 25% of the time):

• Ensure the planning, development and implementation of program/project development activities that support the strategic growth and development of FSD initiatives.
• Work directly with the domestic and international staff to ensure that consistent understanding and adherence to programmatic objectives are being achieved.
• Coordinate with staff to provide tools, trainings and other approaches to develop the capacity and capabilities of our partner organizations.
• Ensure that clear communication paths exist throughout FSD so that stakeholder expectations and questions can be communicated and managed throughout the organization in a way that benefits participant experiences, facilitates growth of internal capacity, and creates further positive impact in communities.
• Develop and expand the diverse components of FSD's international programs to provide a richer, more focused experiences that will increase impact in the field. Bring focus and insight to training program participants on the fundamentals of sustainable development theory and instigate new approaches on how this training is applied to FSD's international programs.

D. Human Resources (approximately 5% of the time):

• Ensure the appropriate recruiting, training and support for all FSD staff occurs in a timely and strategic manner.
• Ensure the creation and growth of training and support materials that facilitate personal and professional skills necessary for staff to achieve their professional objectives.
• Provide personnel reviews and objective setting for all direct reports and ensure that professional and effective personnel reviews are carried out and documented throughout the organization.
• Review and adjust the hiring and organizational staffing structure to take advantage of change. Provide Board with status reports on shifts in staffing and recommendations when their approval is require for major changes to staffing patterns.

E. Financial Management (approximately 10% of the time):

• Manage operational budget that reflects strategic plan, communicate and deliver financial objectives and plans for action to all responsible parties.
• Develop an annual budget for Board review and approval.
• Disperse, monitor and adapt budgets for all programs according to overall organizational needs.
• Manage budget by establishing, communicating and distributing guidelines for recording expenses to all individuals who are responsible for managing budgets.
• Ensure that appropriate management reporting systems are in place and delivered in a timely manner.
• Create financial systems and keep records that meet the needs of the organization?s annual audit.
• Prepare organization for annual financial audit and ensure that audit recommendations are successfully implemented.
• Work with staff as appropriate in achieving the above Financial Management goals.

Expected Outcomes:

• Effectively execute organization's existing strategic plan by creating and implementing a work plan that operationalizes key elements of the plan.
• Increase capacity of field staff to successfully carry our programmatic objectives.
• Maintain participants' overall satisfaction with their programs and improve community impact as measured by select standardized program evaluations.
• Ensure that the overall programmatic safety standards are maintained or improved as measured by perception of safety (from program evaluations) and actual documented incidents (from program generated incident reports).
• Increase the overall capacity of the staff as measured by assessment tools
• Maintain the financial stability and integrity of the organization as the strategic plan is implemented.
• Increase impact of FSD's programs and grantmaking on our partner organizations abroad and measure impact through rigorous monitoring and evaluation.
• Enhance FSD's reputation and public image at home and abroad. Be an ambassador for the organization through public engagement. Ensure FSD's contributed support becomes an increasing percentage of our operating budget and that this contributed support is diversified through donations, grants, and other types of contributed support.
• Provide leadership for the successful integration of giving circles work into the mission and programs of FSD.

Supervision and Guidance:

The Executive Director (ED) functions under the supervision of the Board of Directors. The ED is expected to carry out most job functions independently. Performance evaluation is based upon successfully meeting the objectives set out in this Position Description. Evaluation of the position will be provided by the Board annually.

Qualifications:

• Education: University degree in International Development, International/Regional Studies, or a related field. Master?s Degree or more preferred.
• Prior Experience: A minimum of 7 years work with international development or related projects. Diversified fundraising experience with donors and foundations. Experience with program evaluation and impact evaluation.
• Language Proficiency: Spoken and written fluency in English. Other languages a plus.
• Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of development issues and approaches. Strong working knowledge of program evaluation and impact analyses; demonstrated ability to raise funds, provide leadership, and turn an organizational vision into tangible plans.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to represent FSD effectively with public, donors, and clients.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Organizational and administrative skills.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Strong management skills.
• Strong evaluation skills.
• Motivation and commitment to work independently.
• Ability to independently assess needs and develop creative solutions. 

Compensation: Annual base salary of $75,000 with performance bonus up to $25,000 each year. Benefits package includes health, eye, and dental insurance and 3 weeks vacation/sick leave.

Status: Full-time salaried position based in San Francisco.

Deadline: October 10th. Due to the volume of applications, only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls please.

To Apply:

Please send your resume, salary requirements, and a cover letter that describes your demonstrated commitment to our mission and work, as well as your applicable experience. Please send electronically Alicia Robb.

Foundation for Sustainable Development
517 Potrero Ave
Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94110

FSD is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation.