AFEW International is an organisation aimed at connecting civil society in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) engaged in public health with civil society and institutions in Western Europe. In a rapidly changing global health and geopolitical landscape, AFEW International demands decisions for new directions. The new director, heading a small team based in Amsterdam, will explore, facilitate and implement a further growth and evolution of the organisation. The candidate we are looking for inspires, motivates and challenges the team and the AFEW Partnership members to develop a new strategy and drives the organisation’s evolution within the frame of the East-West vision of AFEW. The future director will continue the process of establishing AFEW International in the landscape of Western NGOs and re-defining the balance of powers between AFEW International and the AFEW Partnership members.
The new director has an innovative approach to achieving inclusive public health in the EECA region, has experience in strengthening and transforming organisations. She or he has the capacity to maintain and strengthen networks of partners and donors and skills in generating new fundraising opportunities. Further strengthening the business model of AFEW international will be one of the primary tasks of the new Director.
About AFEW International
AFEW International’s work in advocating inclusive public health contributes to a healthy society, working with and for key populations at risk for HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and other public health concerns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA.) By providing support and empowering communities and non-governmental organisations in EECA, we contribute to better access to good quality health services for all, including the people whose access is denied due to stigma and discrimination on grounds of gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation and lifestyle.
Based on 20-year working experience in the region, AFEW has already built extensive knowledge, expertise and networks in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The mission of the organisation is to increase access to prevention, treatment and care for the most vulnerable groups within society. AFEW International works in close collaboration with international (mostly European), EECA regional and in-country partners, co-creating the best international practices and innovations to EECA in a practical applicable way.
AFEW International and its partners in the AFEW Partnership have a unique position as an Eastern European and Central Asian regional network in public health. AFEW recognizes diversity, strengthens regional solidarity, shares its knowledge and mobilizes communities to fulfil their rights.
AFEW International coordinates the AFEW Partnership, a partnership of the independent NGOs AFEW-Kazakhstan, AFEW-Kyrgyzstan, AFEW-Russia, AFEW-Ukraine and AFEW International with its office in Amsterdam. AFEW Partnership has developed a Theory of Change on which all members base their strategic plans. AFEW Partnership is led by a steering committee chaired by the director of AFEW International. The partnership exists for 5 years and is continuously developing towards meaningful and equal collaboration.
Governance
The director is a statutory position with an international supervisory board. The supervisory board, consisting of seven members, meets three times a year, of which two teleconferences and one face to face meeting in Amsterdam. The director has regular meetings with the chair and vice-chair of the supervisory board to discuss ongoing management issues (every 6 – 8 weeks).
What you will do:
The Director will be thoroughly committed to AFEW’s mission. So we want the new Director to be responsible for:
- Overall management of the organisation and staff (7 professionals)
- Leading on a transformation process and exploring and building new partnerships
- Shaping donor relations and fundraising strategies, leading a highly effective, result oriented fundraising team
- Engaging the AFEW Partnership in the transformation process and developing new strategies
We are looking for a candidate:
- Who is mission driven by the same purpose as AFEW: an inclusive public health for all
- Who has a clear vision and focus on strategic directions in order to achieve the organisation’s mission in a changing world
- Who has demonstrated experience in developing, implementing, and managing change and transformation, preferably in the context of non-profit organisations
- Who has extensive experience in building partnerships, fundraising and mobilizing resources and has knowledge of and a network within governmental, institutional and corporate funding and specifically from the European Commission
- Who is aware of the trends in development cooperation, the pressure on human rights and of the role of civil society, in particular in Eastern Europe and Central-Asia
- Who is politically sensitive and has experience working in environments that are hostile to the groups that AFEW International is working with and who understands the needs of these groups
- Who has demonstrated experience in working with and on the basis of the Theory of Change in addition to other models for organisational structuring and project design
- Who understands and can give new meaning to the dynamics of managing and facilitating an international partnership of (member) organisations, in close consultation with the international Supervisory Board
- Who has a wide network of contacts to enable and strengthen AFEW’s work and position
- Who has a fresh outlook on international development, is business-oriented and can create strategic business opportunities
Specific skills requirements: the candidate
- Has a style of leadership that is inspirational, connecting and can challenge the team and partners to think out of the box
- Understands the Dutch, European and relevant local political landscapes for public health concerns in EECA, demonstrating the need to make these a political priority, both in the East and in the West
- Is a strong communicator who can, together with the communication officer, represent the organisation and improve visibility of the AFEW Partnership at different levels; and has experience working within the Dutch and international media landscape
- Has knowledge of finance and financial management and is able to support the director of finance in budget development and financial reporting
- Knows how to lead a small multi-national and culturally diverse team and is able to support grant writing and develop proposals her/himself when needed
- Has extensive experience in project management, and is able to support project implementation and implement projects her/himself when needed
- Has a broad understanding of human resource management and staff development in a non-profit context, and understanding of Dutch labor law
- Safeguards the reputation and the quality of AFEW’s work
- Is hands-on and able to jump in when needed
- Has solid relationship-building skills, including demonstrated strengths in establishing accountability and trust
- Is confident in engaging with stakeholders and partners at a different level
- Has excellent command of English, knowledge of Russian is desirable
Qualifications:
- An advanced degree with at least five years of senior management or executive-level experience in non-profit organisations, preferably within public health or related fields
- Preferably experience in the field of HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and/or public health concerns
Location:
Amsterdam. Willingness to travel on a regular basis to project countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
We offer:
- – Gross salary, in a range of 6000 – 7000 EUR per month, based on experience, for a 36 hour/week contract.
- – 8% holiday allowance
- – Pension scheme based on a collective agreement
- – Travel costs compensation
- – 25 holidays, 4 days extra between Christmas and New Year
- – A contract for one year, with a possible extension
The position is for 36 hours a week. The Director reports to an International Supervisory Board.
Interested?
Executive search bureau Colourful People is responsible for the search for this position. Naima Azough, partner at Colourful People, is in the lead. If interested, please submit a cover letter and resume addressing your qualifications and experience before or on the closing date of 11 November 2020 via the green ‘apply now’ button on this website . If you have questions you can reach her by email at n.azough@colourfulpeople.nl or by phone by telephone on +31 (0)6 43449717 (preferably between 09:00 – 12:00 CET).
