Chief Executive
Officer
Search conducted by
WATERAID CANADA
Chief Executive Officer
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
WaterAid Canada is seeking a Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) for its office in
Ottawa. As a member of Water Aid, a
federation of NGO’s whose vision is of a
world where everyone everywhere has safe
water, sanitation and hygiene, our mission
is to transform the lives of the poorest and
most marginalised people by improving
access to safe water, sanitation and
hygiene. In line with the Sustainable
Development Goals, to be agreed in
September 2015 by the United Nations
Member States, WaterAid believes that
everyone, everywhere can have access to
safe water and sanitation by 2030 and
extreme poverty can be ended.
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WaterAid has launched a new global strategy to 2020 which focuses on accelerating change through addressing inequalities in
access to water and sanitation; integration with other poverty goals; sustainable services and systems strengthening; and which
recognises good hygiene as the driver for enabling individuals and communities to fully realize the benefits of water and
sanitation. Our values which underpin this new strategy are Respect, Collaboration, Courage, Accountability, Integrity and
Innovation.
Since its formation in the UK in 1981 WaterAid has reached many millions of people with safe water and sanitation and is now
made up of member countries that form the global federation. WaterAid Canada joined in 2013 bringing with it a successful
history of more than 25 years as WaterCan. Through fundraising and influencing development policy makers, WaterAid Canada
supports WaterAid’s work globally and across our 26 country programmes.
Working through country programmes, WaterAid Canada invests in partner organisations to help empower communities, to
deliver water and sanitation services and to improve hygiene behaviours. Alongside our partners, we work with governments to
ensure water and sanitation services reach the poorest and most marginalised communities and to provide the right enabling
environment for civil society and private sector to play a key role.
WaterAid Canada has its own Board of Directors and the Chair of WaterAid Canada sits on the board of WaterAid international
(WAi), the body that ensures alignment and co-ordination across the global federation.
Under the new global strategy all member countries are responsible for developing their own strategies and direction to
contribute to this. The new CEO will join at an exciting time as WaterAid Canada develops its plans to contribute to the global
strategy and works collaboratively with colleagues across WaterAid on the delivery of this strategy.
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The Opportunity
WaterAid Canada is looking for an accomplished leader
who has a demonstrable record of success in the not for
profit, business or public sectors. The successful
candidate will be highly astute, with excellent judgement
and good communication skills, able to demonstrate an
understanding of, or experience of working with, NGOs.
The candidate will be able to work effectively with
individuals from a range of diverse backgrounds.
The CEO must have a passion for the mission of WaterAid
and a commitment to the values of this global
organisation.
Role Purpose
The CEO will provide inspiring leadership and a
compelling vision for WaterAid Canada. Working closely
with the Board and the Chair, the CEO will lead the
development of WaterAid Canada’s strategic direction to
contribute to the delivery of WaterAid’s Global Strategy
and ensure its effective implementation.
The successful candidate will continue to build an
ambitious, high performing team committed to
WaterAid’s vision, mission and values and lead the
WaterAid Canada team’s innovative, effective and
responsible fundraising efforts. The CEO will also build
relationships with other members of the federation and
the Chief Executive of WaterAid international to ensure
effective working across the federation. In addition, the
CEO will build relationships with external stakeholders
including the Canadian government, particularly
the Department for Foreign Affairs, Trade and
Development; NGO networks; WaterAid Canada’s
supporters and volunteers.
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Key Accountabilities
4
•
Provide strategic and cultural leadership and direction for WaterAid Canada in
line with WaterAid’s vision, mission and values.
•
Lead the development of WaterAid Canada’s strategic direction to contribute to
the achievement of the global strategy, positioning WaterAid Canada for
continued growth and increased influence.
•
Ensure a stable and growing base of funding for WaterAid Canada.
•
Ensure effective implementation of WaterAid Canada’s strategy to achieve goals
and objectives laid down in business plans and budgets, reporting progress to
the Board and to WaterAid international.
•
Lead the WaterAid Canada team to ensure a high performing, motivated and
engaged team. Develop WaterAid Canada’s people strategies and management
systems to meet the changing needs of the organisation.
•
Build relationships with external stakeholders to enhance WaterAid Canada’s
profile, to achieve its objectives and act as an ambassador for WaterAid
domestically and internationally.
•
Work collaboratively with all of the WaterAid member CEOs, and their senior
staff, as well as the Chief Executive of WaterAid international - who provides a
leadership and co-ordinating role - to develop and implement the global
strategy and optimize global impact.
•
Work with the Chair to develop a sound governance structure that delivers
effective use of funds within a strong risk management framework.
•
Communicate effectively and transparently with the Board to ensure Board
members receive ‘no surprises’ in fulfilling their governance responsibility.
Ensure all Board members are effectively inducted.
•
Ensure that the Chair is briefed on matters relating to WaterAid’s global
federation and WAi so that their accountabilities can be effectively discharged.
Competencies and Experience
Leadership
Building Relationships
and Using Influence
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•
An inspirational leader that motivates others to deliver.
•
Possesses vision, creativity and innovation, with the ability to drive an ambitious
strategy and turn strategy into actionable and quantitative plans.
•
Well-developed team-building skills and a consultative and empowering style,
while able to make firm and difficult decisions when necessary. Experienced in
the leadership of organizational change.
•
Significant experience of leadership within an organisation working
internationally and of working across cultures.
•
Has robust emotional intelligence and a commitment to living WaterAid’s values.
•
Demonstrates strong analytical capacity to grasp and untangle complex issues
and challenges.
•
Displays a genuine commitment to personal learning, development and
improvement in pursuit of own objectives and those of the organization and
able to support the development of others. Ability to identify, develop and retain
talented staff from a variety of backgrounds.
•
Possesses a good understanding of modern fundraising techniques.
•
Unquestioned personal and professional integrity.
•
Actively promotes diversity. Able to develop effective working relationships with
individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.
•
Strong collaboration skills across a global organization.
•
Articulate, compelling and persuasive in both written and oral communication.
•
Politically astute, with well-developed judgment and excellent negotiation skills.
•
Proven experience working with a Board, senior-level executives, government
officials, business and the media.
Delivery Focused
•
Displays a high-level of energy and endurance, is self-motivated and pragmatic.
•
Sets and achieves ambitious targets for self and others.
•
Consistently shows initiative and commitment to meeting organizational
objectives.
•
Proven fundraising experience that will help WaterAid Canada deliver its
planned work.
•
Balances short and long-term priorities, and anticipates and manages risks
as appropriate.
•
Sound experience and knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting, used to
working closely with the senior management team to drive financial results.
For further information on WaterAid Canada please see www.wateraidcanada.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION
Please submit your resume and covering letter expressing your interest and passion for WaterAid's mission
and your fit for the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Letters may be addressed to Mike Lupiano, Morgan LeadershipSearch, at [email protected]
Water Aid Canada is strongly committed to fostering diversity and gender equality. Canadian and permanent residents
will be given priority.
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Everyone, Everywhere
We want everyone, everywhere to have clean water,
toilets and hygiene by 2030. We know these basic
services unlock better health, education and livelihoods,
and are central to eradicating extreme poverty.
wateraidcanada.com