Aidspan is an independent monitor of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, (GF). Our mission is to be an effective watchdog of the GF at global and country levels providing information, critical analysis and commentary on Fund developments and its interactions with countries, with the aim of bringing about a more effective and transparent GF. We publish the Global Fund Observer (GFO), which has about 10,000 subscribers in 170 countries. We monitor critique and explain the GF, with the objective of increasing its effectiveness and that of its grant implementers. We have a reputation in the GF community for producing clear, succinct, independent writing. Please look at our website for more information: www.aidspan.org
Aidspan is a US-registered 501(c) 3 not-for-profit corporation licensed to work in Kenya as a limited liability company and financed through grants from governments, foundations and corporations. We do not charge for any products or services, nor do we accept funding of any kind from the GF. Donors and the GF have no influence on the content of Aidspan’s publications. Our average annual budget is about US$ 1 million. Our impact is much larger than our size and budget suggests. The Global Fund spends about $3 billion annually, and estimates that over the past decade, its grants led to 9 million lives being saved. Thus, if Aidspan helps the Global Fund to raise 1% more money, or to have 1% more impact with the money it spends, it has a massive contribution.
Terms of reference: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will work from Aidspan Secretariat office based in Nairobi (Kenya, East Africa). The ED will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for up to 8 full-time staff and a network of national and regional correspondents and watchdog partners in various countries. He/ she will manage programs and execute Aidspan’s global mission as follows.
Main Responsibilities:
Overall:
Lead the development and implementation of Aidspan’s strategic plan (as approved by the Board and under the oversight of the board), ensuring the human and financial resources are mobilized and efficiently utilized.
Fundraising: Ensure the organization has resources needed to meet its mandate and plans; expand the revenue generated to support existing operations and ensure sustainability.
Partnerships: Maintain and build networks and partnerships with relevant civil society, professional and other organisations with shared interests, who can monitor the impact of GF activities in country, with the aim of increasing the GF’s effectiveness and transparency.
Communications: Enhance Aidspan’s brand visibility and deepen and refine all aspects of communications; use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities. Approve publications, statements and other public pronouncements.
Ensure that Aidspan’s reputation and profile as independent observer of the Global Fund is held in high regard by external stakeholders, and to act as spokesperson where necessary.
Programme and technical:
Lead on the development of strategies, activities, and tactics to enable Aidspan to achieve its mission of materially increasing the impact and transparency of the Global Fund by acting as an effective watchdog.
Lead the development of annual work plans, through the year and working with staff and partners, proactively explore new ideas to sharpen programme growth, content, reach, depth and impact.
Be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of all Aidspan products and activities, including written materials, and the monitoring system which will measure this.
In addition to Aidspan’s public activities and products (e.g. GFO, Local Watchdog Project), interact behind the scenes to collect information about the Global Fund and, where appropriate, fulfil Aidspan’s watchdogging remit.
Build a high performing team:
Oversee and be accountable for all human resource management issues, including managing the human resource system, and conducting annual performance monitoring for all staff.
Appoint line managers (with Board endorsement) and all other employees, within the board-approved budget;
Approve job descriptions for all staff; supervise, support and mentor managers to undertake their roles, and ensure that they do likewise with staff who report to them; hold regular Senior Management Team meetings, and monthly all-staff meetings; ensure a clear cascade for roles and responsibilities at all times; and ensure all staff and the Board know the goals of Aidspan and can confidently describe the work Aidspan does.
Administration:
Ensure that the terms of the Admin Manual, the Finance Manual and the Staff Handbook are followed and oversee the development of interim policies on aspects not covered in the above manuals.
Approve and sign all contracts in line with Aidspan’s strategy and protocol to which Aidspan is party, or provide written authorization for other managers to do so.
Facilitate support to Board meetings as appropriate.
Finance:
Ensure that accurate and clear accounts and assets registers are maintained.
Oversee the establishment and monitoring of mechanisms for effective accountability and internal controls to prevent fraud, theft, waste and misuse.
Ensure that Aidspan completes each calendar year with a reserve of $400,000.
Prudently manage the Aidspan’s finances including constraining expenditure to within income and budget.
Selection Criteria: Qualifications, knowledge, skills and attributes
Knowledge background:
Deep knowledge of the Global Fund governance and assurance structures including the Global Fund Board and committees, and operations of the country coordinating mechanism (CCM).
Clear understanding of the importance of transparency and public participation in the Global Health arena.
Clear understanding of the meaning of key norms such as human rights, gender sensitivity and inclusive Global Health financing.
Qualifications:
Advanced degree, ideally an MBA, MPH, JD, Master degree in Political Science or similar (equivalent). Advanced qualification in programme management will be an added advantage.
At least 8 years of senior management experience with a track record of leading and regionally or nationally scaling an organization or program.
At least 5 years of relevant senior leadership experience with a reputable Global Fund implementer at the country or regional level or a local watchdog.
Management Skills:
Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.
Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
Past success working with a Board of Directors and ability to cultivate board member relationships.
Public Relations, Fund-raising and Communication:
Strong client and public relations, and fundraising experience, ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
Strong written and verbal communication skills (English plus one other international language is desirable); a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people, including Global Fund Secretariat, including its leadership, various country level stakeholders including high level technical partners, donors, civil society organisations, marginalised groups and groups representing people affected TB, HIV/AIDS or malaria.
Personality:
Visionary leader, action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and an innovative person who applies a business perspective to planning and operations.
Critical and strategic thinker with integrity and flexibility.
Language:
Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English.
At least basic proficiency in spoken and written French will be an added advantage.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please apply using the application form below, and upload your CV and a covering letter to explain why you are interested in Aidspan and the ED position, and how you fulfil the selection criteria. Application deadline is midnight (GMT) on Friday, 26 February 2016. Applications may be considered after this date only if a suitable candidate has not been found.
Recruitment questions and inquiries can be directed to Interim Executive Director, Olando Sitati: olando.sitati@aidspan.org. Please do not send your CV and cover letter to this email address. Instead, attach your CV and cover letter to the application form here – Online application form.
Aidspan is an equal opportunity employer and in the course of recruitment and employment does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender or sexual orientation, marital status, parental responsibilities, origin, disability, creed, political belief, religion or HIV status pursuant to the Code of Conduct in the Administration Manual.