Firelight Foundation (Firelight) is seeking a values-driven African leader with vision, passion, and humility to serve as our new Executive Director. The Executive Director will lead Firelight’s experienced team committed to supporting communities and community-based organizations (CBOs) to drive systems change for children and youth in eastern and southern Africa.

Firelight is a multi-donor public charity fund that envisions a world where children and youth in eastern and southern Africa live in safe, strong, nurturing environments where they can thrive. Firelight raises capital from and works with foundations, individuals, and funding institutions in the global North to support an approach to development and social transformation in systems for children and youth that emphasizes the insight, leadership, and ownership of those who are living in and experiencing those systems and their work to create lasting change in those systems.

We recognize that there are imbalances of power and privilege in this world and that these are especially prevalent in global development and philanthropy. As such, our goal is to work with philanthropists and others to transition their capital in ways that address these imbalances. In doing so, we also assess, question, and actively transfer power away from ourselves. We also take a justice and solidarity approach to all of our work because we believe the most meaningful philanthropy happens when donors and other holders of power and wealth walk with, are guided by, and shift power to the people and communities we wish to serve.

Reporting to the Firelight Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides leadership for the overall direction, strategy, and success of Firelight. Demonstrating the best attributes of servant leadership, the role provides the structures, inspiration and needed space to support a collaborative, diverse, humble, strong, and effective team largely based in Africa. The Executive Director is responsible for directly overseeing the Finance, Operations, Fundraising, and Communications of the organization, and provides direct leadership and mentorship to Firelight’s Managers Team. This includes managing and supporting the Director of Programs and Learning to execute the strategy and success of Firelight's programs, grantmaking and learning and evaluation.

Firelight is seeking an inspiring, inclusive, caring, and visionary leader to take our work and impact to the next level. Required leadership qualities include: Commitment to Firelight's vision, mission and values; deep knowledge of the contexts of Firelight's work, including lived African experience; commitment to supporting a healthy working environment; and commitment to community-driven systems change and transitioning power to children and youth, communities, and community-based organizations.

Firelight prefers this role to be based in Africa, ideally in one of the countries where Firelight operates. Strong African candidates located in countries outside the continent will also be considered. The successful candidate will be offered a salary within the range of US $160,000 to $200,000 per annum commensurate with their experience and will additionally receive various workplace benefits.

For more information and to apply, please submit a CV and covering letter detailing how you fulfill the role description and personal specification. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 14, 2023.

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