Opportunity: Executive Director - Institute for Media Policy and Civil Society

IMPACS – The Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society is a canadian charitable organization with its head office in Vancouver, an office in Toronto and associates and partners around the world. The mission of IMPACS is to strengthen democracy by strengthening the voice of civil society organizations in Canada and internationally. We achieve our mission by helping to build the capacity of civil society organizations to effectively communicate their messages to the public and to be effective citizen advocates in the public policy process. We also work with the media to accurately reflect the diversity of civil society within emerging and developed democracies.

Currently the organization has nine full time staff, two part time staff and a multitude of associates and contract staff working on projects. IMPACS’ domestic communications and training programs serve civil society organizations in all parts of Canada. Internationally, we have done media development and civil society work in Afghanistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Haiti, China, Sri Lanka and other developing nations.

IMPACS has grown significantly from start-up in less than a decade. It is poised to make the move to the next stage of growth and impact. The new Executive Director of IMPACS will consolidate our successes to date and solidify our foundations for future growth.

Responsibilities:

The Executive Director of IMPACS provides inspired leadership to ensure that IMPACS reaches its objectives of strengthening the voice of civil society. In doing so, the Executive Director works in close consultation with the Board of Directors to establish, implement and monitor organizational goals, policies and strategic directions. The ED is responsible for the development of mission-driven programs and initiatives, both national and international, for their diversified and entrepreneurial financing and for their effective management. As the chief spokesperson for the agency, the Executive Director is responsible for crafting and delivering key messages and for cultivating a wide network of beneficial relationships.

Qualifications:

BOARD LIAISON, ENGAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

- Establishing strategic directions with the Board of Directors and its committees in developing long and short term business plans to achieve the organization’s priorities
- Ensuring that board functions and decision-making are facilitated through the provision of appropriate information, reports and analysis
- Ensuring that the organization operates within the limits of board-approved budgets, policies and bylaws
- Ensuring that all aspects of the organization’s operations are carried out with high standards of ethics and professionalism

PROGRAM AND SOCIAL-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

- Overseeing the development and funding of programs and initiatives for IMPACS
- Expanding and securing the social enterprise model in existing and new programs so that the organization develops a desired level f financial independence
- Ensuring that program design and delivery are grounded in the vision of IMPACS and are supported by appropriate fiscal arrangements
- Building relationships with like-minded organizations (including funders) in Canada and overseas
- Balancing appropriately the need to raise funds with the need to fulfill the mission
- Supervising and directing management and other staff as appropriate in the delivery of these programs
- Ensuring that management systems at the head office and in the field meet the high expectations of funders and other stakeholders
- Ensuring that all reporting functions are appropriately fulfilled

FUND RAISING

- Building and nurturing current and new relationships with non governmental funders in support of IMPACS’ mission and programs
- Developing and implementing a fund raising plan on an annual basis
- Keeping abreast of fund raising trends and issues

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

- Developing relationships with policy makers, funders and foundations, colleagues in the civil society sector, government departments, media etc. in a manner that enhances the credibility, reputation, growth and leadership of IMPACS
- Crafting and delivering appropriate policy and other messages that strengthen the voice of civil society in Canada and internationally
- Taking a leadership position on issues of central importance to IMPACS and fostering a public profile

PROVIDING ORGANIZATIONAL AND STAFF LEADERSHIP

- Providing leadership to a staff team in a manner that ensures that staff members, individually and as a team, are able to reach their full potential
- Ensuring that the development and learning needs of staff are met within the fiscal limits of the organization
- Enabling the organization and its staff team to perform at their best through appropriate coaching, mentoring and delegating
- Ensuring that the management practices and policies of the organization are in keeping with legal obligations
- Ensuring that the personnel policies set by the board are implemented, revised and updated as appropriate

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

- Developing an annual budget and monitoring performance on a regular basis
- Alerting the board at times of concern and developing alternative financing strategies with management staff
- Fulfilling all regulatory and funding reporting requirements such that the credibility of IMPACS is maintained and enhanced
- The ideal candidate for the position will possess extraordinary leadership skills and proven ability to manage and expand IMPACS reputation through mission driven work

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He/she possesses excellent communications and relationship building skills and is both a team leader and a team player. He/she is a successful and proven fund raiser, with a track record as an innovative social entrepreneur eager to bring his/her talents to expand IMPACS’ programs and impact through further adapting social enterprise models to our work.

The ideal candidate is a senior manager, with at least five years experience, some of it internationally. He/she has considerable experience and skills in organizational management, program development, administrative, human resource and financial management systems. He/she has a proven history of working well with funders (government, multilaterals, private foundations and major donors) in the development of new partnerships.

The ideal candidate is a passionate believer in civil society and its role in strengthening democracy, in capacity building, inclusion and diversity. He/she is able to motivate and influence others and will have the capacity to become a thought leader.

Fluency in French or another UN language is an asset.

The position is based in Vancouver but will require travel nationally and internationally.

SALARY

Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with comparable positions in the not for profit sector.

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2006

Interested applicants should email a resume and a covering letter to Ratna Omidvar, IMPACS ED Search Committee, via e-mail at ED-search@impacs.org

or by mail to:

IMPACS ED Search Committee
c/o The Maytree Foundation
Attn: Ratna Omidvar
170 Bloor Street West, Suite 804
Toronto ON M5S 1T9

Marked: **CONFIDENTIAL**

Email: ED-search@impacs.org

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Tags: for:vsef, Civil Society, Nonprofit, IMPACS,
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