Chief Executive Officer (m/f/d), Transparency International (International Secretariat Berlin)

Transparency International is seeking to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the TI Secretariat (TI-S). TI-S plays a unique and important role in the TI movement, providing capacity support and institutional infrastructure to the TI movement while giving collective and global voice to TI activists from around the world. In addition to coordinating the broader TI movement, TI-S spearheads global and joint evidence-based advocacy. The CEO has overall responsibility for the TI Secretariat and serves as the lead liaison to the Board, the TI movement and all its constituents.

Main Function: 

The CEO is responsible for managing the Transparency International (Secretariat), providing strategic vision and leadership, driving operational excellence, supporting the TI movement, overseeing the development and implementation of programmes that advance TI's mission to combat corruption and promote transparency and integrity globally , and delivering global outreach, communications and fundraising.

Starting Date:1st  February 2025

Location: Berlin, Germany

Duration: 2 years, renewable

Reporting Line:Chair and Vice Chair of the Transparency International Board of Directors

Remuneration: Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and the responsibilities of the position.

Responsibilities:

The CEO will lead and collaborate with the TI-S Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Heads of Teams to ensure that the Secretariat fulfills its main roles. The CEO will lead the strategic vision for TI’s secretariat, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s overall mission and goals. The CEO will oversee the development and execution of TI’s global evidence-based advocacy strategies and policy development as well as provide thought leadership on anti-corruption issues.

The CEO will also ensure that TI’s national chapter network is skillfully supported, including through joint fundraising efforts and initiatives that enhance the capacity and impact of national chapters.  

Finally, the CEO will ensure that the Secretariat promotes and implements the best organisational and governance standards and practices. The CEO will serve as a Special Representative of Transparency International in line with Sec. 30 German Civil Code.

In addition to filling the executive leadership and managerial function at the Secretariat, the CEO will be responsible for the following, in collaboration with the TI-S Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the Heads of Teams:

Leadership

• Providing direction to TI-S, building trust and respect, and demonstrating responsibility and professionalism in all settings
• Offering thought leadership on anti-corruption and driving innovation in TI-S approaches and programming
• Working with the TI movement to seize strategic opportunities and to mitigate major risks and challenges
• Overseeing and monitoring TI-S’ progress towards strategic objectives and corresponding TI-S implementation plans, including regular reviews and evaluations
• Reporting to the Chair and Vice Chair and to the International Board, in particular on the attainment of her/his objectives, and supporting them in their TI-S oversight and movement leadership roles
• Liaising with the national chapters and being attentive to their needs within the human and financial constraints of the movement

Organisation and Operations, Safety and Security, and Integrity

• Ensuring the continued development and management of a professional and efficient organisation, where effective and timely decision making is paramount
• Driving programmatic excellence, highest quality services, appropriate safety and risk assessments, and rapid responses to challenges for TI-S and the movement
• Ensuring risk management, safety and security and duty of care for all staff and overseeing crises management efforts and the communications rapid response
• Overseeing the development, monitoring, learning, and curation of the integrity systems within the organisation, including implementation of the code of conduct and its related set of policies
   

Global Outreach and Fundraising

• Building and maintaining key donor and funder relationships and steering TI-S toward new funding models in anticipation of an evolving fundraising landscape
• Increasing fundraising for the TI movement as part of a financial growth strategy under the strategy of the global TI movement
• In collaboration with the Chair and Vice-Chair, serving as an advocate and spokesperson against corruption and in support of TI’s agenda for accountability at conferences and with international media
• Cultivating key partnerships and/or collaboration models that serve to enhance both advocacy and fundraising opportunities

Management and Internal Communication

• Cultivating a strong, transparent and respectful working relationship with the staff
• Facilitating cross-team collaboration and strengthening internal communication mechanisms and practices
• Promoting a positive, inclusive, and diverse work environment
• Building, leading, and developing the TI-Secretariat team, including the Heads of Teams, implementing training and coaching for staff development

Desired Profile:

• Advanced university degree
• 15+ years of relevant professional experience in international, management roles of which at least 5 in non-profit or mission-driven organisations
• Management experience in complex settings, with demonstrated ability to lead and inspire others, including in change processes, with a high degree of resilience
• Successful track record in guiding and contributing to programme design and delivery, strategy development and implementation, global outreach and advocacy, as well as donor relations and fundraising
• Strong understanding of global corruption issues and the mechanisms to address them
• Expertise in issues of governance, international development, human rights, social justice or civil society
• Experience leading organisational development; demonstrated drive for results, quality and excellence
• Success in establishing and maintaining partnerships and collaborative work across private, public, civil society, and research organisations
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and networking skills, with an ability to articulate messages to a broad variety of audiences and motivate, inform, and persuade them
• Excellent leadership and organisational skills
• Demonstrated leadership in diverse and multi-cultural settings
• Excellent language skills in (written and spoken) English (to native speaker standard); additional languages, in particular Spanish or other UN official languages an asset
• Knowledge of Transparency International’s work and history is a strong asset

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about Transparency International’s mission and values.
• Listening and adaptation capabilities, flexibility, ability to evolve in complex environments
• Collaborative and inclusive, fostering a positive and productive team environment
• High ethical standards and integrity and strong commitment and demonstrated adherence to the values of social justice, participation, transparency, and accountability

To Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV ad cover letter explaining suitability against the essential criteria as set out in the candidate profile in English via the online recruitment system clicking on the button below.

For any advice on submitting your application or for an initial conversation in confidence, please contact Erik Hafner erik.hafner@perrettlaver.com

Closing date for applications is Sunday, 3rd November 12 CET. Only applications duly completed and received by the deadline and through the online recruitment system will be considered.

The Transparency International Secretariat is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and where there is equality of opportunity. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and therefore welcome applications from qualified candidates of all regions, countries, cultures and backgrounds. Existing permission to work in Germany is not a selection criterion and TI-S supports successful candidates in the process for applying for a work permit, if needed. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis and we do not discriminate on the basis of national origin, race, colour or ethnic background, religious belief, sex, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation, marital or family status, age or ability. We kindly ask applicants to refrain from including in their application information relating to the above as well as from attaching photos.

Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process in parallel with the public advertisement of the role. Longlisted candidates will be invited to interview with Perrett Laver on Tuesday, 12th & Wednesday, 13th November and the Selection Panel will subsequently meet to decide upon a final shortlist for the First Round of virtual interviews that will be held on Friday, 22nd November and Monday, 25th November (both days 14 - 17 CET). Final in person Interviews with Transparency International will be held on Monday, 16th December (14 - 18:30 CET) in Berlin.

This role is based at TI’s offices in Berlin. International candidates are welcome to apply. We have built our secretariat in Berlin, a vibrant multicultural city and an international hub with an international school system. Salary is competitive with the market rate and commensurate with the seniority of the appointment.  

Please download the Job Brochure under "Download Further Details" for more information.

Disclaimer

Please note that Transparency International does not charge any fees at any stage of its recruitment and selection process (whether at application, processing, testing, interviewing, traveling or otherwise). In addition, TI does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.

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