Title: Executive Director, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada
Reports to: President of MSF Canada Board
Hierarchically supervises: Associate Director; Directors of Communications, Fundraising, Finance and Administration, and Field Human Resources.
Position: Full-time, Definite term, 3 years with possibility for extension for another 3 years, for a maximum of 6 years.
Location: Toronto, Canada (with frequent travel in Canada and overseas)
Salary Level: starting at $98,736/year, commensurate with experience
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
With the oversight of the Board of Directors, and in accordance with the Canadian charity laws, the by-laws and corporation charter of MSF Canada, the Executive Director (ED) is responsible for leading MSF Canada in delivering its social mission. This involves fulfilling MSF Canada’s role as part of the MSF movement, in the effective provision of medical humanitarian assistance to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care through the provision of financial and human resources, communications, and operational support.
The ED is responsible for ensuring the effective, efficient, and ethical management of MSF Canada’s financial and human resources; developing and upholding the credibility and reputation of MSF’s medical humanitarian work in Canada; and strengthening this medical humanitarian work internationally through MSF Canada’s contributions.
DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES:
· Under the Strategic Orientations defined and approved by the Board, guide the development of MSF in Canada, and its participation in the MSF movement.
· Leads an organization with around 50 staff; offices in Toronto and Montreal; and an annual budget of over $50 million. This includes fostering and maintaining a dynamic, collegial and respectful work environment with a participative management approach; ensuring accountable, transparent resource management; and engaging with Canadians to inspire them to support MSF.
· Leads the MSF Canada Management Team (MT) in realizing the goals of MSF Canada. This includes managing and coaching the MT; leading the process planning; developing, approving, implementing and reviewing policies and objectives; developing the Annual Plan and budget; setting priorities and allocating resources for MSF Canada through the planning cycle.
· Delegates day-to-day office management and the MSF Canada trademark file to the Associate Director.
· Represents MSF to the Canadian media, towards the Canadian government, policy makers, academic institutions and other NGOs in Canada. Through these engagements, the ED plays an active role in upholding the identity of the organization.
· Represents MSF’s work to donors, through in-person meetings and other means of communication. The Executive Director shall co-manage up to 20 of MSF Canada’s top prospects and spend commensurate time on this relationship development.
· Stimulates and upholds Associative activities of MSF Canada in collaboration with the Board.
· Undertakes at least one annual field trip to keep abreast of the reality of MSF’s work and provide support to the operations, as appropriate.
· Leads MSF Canada’s participation in partnerships with Operational Centres and other partners, including the International Office. This involves participation in relevant General Director Forums; promoting the participation of MSF Canada on relevant international platforms and initiatives at all levels; sharing responsibility for the development, implementation and critical review of the social mission; the provision of medical and other support to operations; and the mobilization and management of appropriate human and financial resources.
· Leads MSF Canada’s participation, in different areas, in the construction of a strongly interdependent and accountable MSF international movement.
· As an ex-officio member of the Board, the ED reports regularly to the Board of Directors and works closely with the President and other Officers of the Board and Board Committees to develop agendas intended to aid the Board in providing appropriate oversight and governance of MSF Canada.
QUALIFICATIONS/JOB REQUIREMENTS
· Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF, and a passion for sharing those principles with Canadians.
· Minimum ten years directly related work experience.
· Master's Degree in health administration, public health, business administration, public administration or related area, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Humanitarian field experience (MSF preferred, but equivalent acceptable), at level of Head of Mission or Medical Coordinator, for a minimum of two years. Exposure to highly political environments, humanitarian crises and emergency contexts strongly preferred.
· Leadership skills: broad vision of the future of humanitarian organizations; ability to lead change in a large organization.
· Proven strategic management experience with a demonstrated track record in issues of change management, and team development skills.
· Ability to foster a creative, professional, “open door” management culture, to empower managers and staff members to fulfill their potential and challenge assumptions.
· Demonstrated political sense with regard to humanitarian matters; ability to think and communicate effectively on humanitarian issues. Strong and broad knowledge of the issues and challenges associated with leading/managing a multi-national, multi-cultural humanitarian organization.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to effectively analyze, synthesize, and present complex or controversial information in a clear and convincing manner. Willingness and ability to deal with the media essential. Presence, experience, and maturity to meet with key contacts within and outside the humanitarian community: NGO leaders, high level government officials, researchers, activists, individual donors, senior corporate executives, and directors of major foundations. Assertiveness in the presentation and ability to advocate policy positions in a persuasive manner.
· Demonstrated affinity for networking with relevant stakeholders.
· Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries/ complaints.
· Ability to travel extensively within Canada and to Europe and to travel and serve in the field for several weeks at a time.
Preferred
· Fluency in English essential; Fluency in French highly desirable.
· Medical or para-medical background would be an advantage.
· Strong network across the MSF movement.
· Experience in budgeting, fiscal control, cash and investment management, and the audit process would be preferred.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION:
Interested candidates should submit a letter of motivation and CV, including three professional references, to hr-rh@msf.ca.
Only electronic applications will be accepted. Applications will be handled with confidentiality if requested.
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2012, 5:00 pm EST.
