Recruitment

Role: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Period & Mode of Engagement: Two years with an initial probationary period of 6 months.  Contract may be extended based on satisfactory performance.

Primary Job Location:

Lagos, Nigeria. The individual will be required to work across different time zones, teleconferencing with NLI fellows and associates across the globe, as required.  The position will require frequent travel within Nigeria, and periodic travel to the UK, US and other countries to meet with stakeholders and prospective supporters and to represent NLI at functions, as needed.

Reporting:

The CEO reports to the NLI Board.

Job Summary

The CEO will be charged with executing NLI’s strategy and will have overall responsibility for operational activities and providing timely reports to the board.  He/she will be expected to harness the intellectual, social and network capacity of NLI  in supporting the transformation of Nigeria.

The CEO must display a passion for Nigeria in a tangible way through past or present works. The successful candidate must have a vision, strong leadership and a talent for deconstructing programs and processes in order to rebuild. The CEO must have a long-term vision in line with the mission of the institution, and make judicious decisions in order to uphold that vision.  The CEO must also have the capacity to contribute to keeping NLI’s programs and networks relevant in a rapidly changing society.

An integrated, synergistic view and understanding of how projects and programs clearly promote and relate back to NLI’s mission is critical. The successful candidate must know how to prioritize associate projects, see, create and pursue opportunities for meaningful collaboration and project the organization publicly in line with its mission.

The CEO must have superior writing, speaking and presenting skills. Networking & fundraising in and around Nigeria will take up to 15 percent of the CEO’s time, therefore networking skills, follow-up, cultivation, and being able to ask and secure requests is paramount.

Scope of Work

The successful candidate will be expected to provide management and oversight of each of the following:

Strategy Development & Execution

• Contribute meaningfully to the strategic planning process and a willingness to challenge the status quo to keep the organization relevant
• Develop actionable plans to execute NLI’s overall strategy on an annual basis
• Set and work towards ambitious goals for each stakeholder group
• Develop and utilize methods to measure performance, effectiveness and progress for NLI activities

Fundraising, Development, and Stakeholder Management

• Develop and implement an effective fundraising strategy;
• Actively raise funds from individuals, foundations and corporations in Nigeria and abroad;
• Cultivate and manage relationships with all funders and supporters;
• Oversee the development of a dynamic Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to manage communications and relationships with all stakeholders

Communications & Brand Management

• Build the influence and impact of the NLI through strategic engagement with the printed, digital and electronic media in Nigeria and abroad
• Cultivate and enhance the NLI brand by:
  • Serving as the spokesperson for NLI and representing NLI at local and international meetings;
  • Ensuring effective delivery of the NLI fellow and associate classes;
  • Ensuring effective delivery of the NLI annual symposium and dinner;
  • Creating opportunities to keep NLI fellows and associates actively engaged with the organization through networking events.

Programs and Operations

• Prepare regular reports on the impact of NLI’s activities for funders and supporters;
• Manage staff and office operations;
• Provide critical support for NLI projects (which are primarily driven by the NLI Director of Operations)
• Coordinate activities, resources, and performance management
• Manage NLI’s budget and ensure transparency and efficiency in the use of NLI’s resources;

Legal

• Ensure NLI complies with and meets all legal and statutory obligations related to registrations in Nigeria and other countries of operation

Board Management

• Create agendas for  and prepare materials for board meetings
• Execute, follow-up and report goals to board
• Persistently follow up with board; through an exhaustive utilization of board resources (i.e. contact, influence, etc)

Profile/Qualifications

Requirements

• At least 15 years working experience with continually increasing levels of responsibility
• Masters Degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., MBA, JD, policy) from a reputable university
• Experience of liaising with a variety of partners in Nigeria and elsewhere including companies and businesses, NGOs, academic departments and others working on leadership and/or governance related programmes
• Direct or indirect experience in planning and delivering projects
• Demonstrated experience with organizing flawless events involving senior level stakeholders
• Proven evidence of  experience in fundraising and managing a budget of over N150 million
• Proven dynamic leadership abilities, integrity and track record of delivering results
• Excellent English communication skills (written and oral); working knowledge of 1 or more additional Nigerian languages, as well as French is a plus

Desirable

• Experience of working across organisational boundaries
• Experience gained working in Nigeria or other African country
• Evidence of ability to lead and inspire a small dynamic team of 3-5

Remuneration commensurate with experience