Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY
GIF seeks to hire a Vice President to lead on GIF’s Strategic and Operational decisions. Responsibilities will include:
- Leading the articulation of GIF’s strategy- build on inputs from the team and Board to develop a cogent framework for what GIF does and how GIF does it, including innovator sourcing, venture assistance strategy, etc.
- Leading operational planning & performance measurement: including drafting and maintaining the Operational Plan itself; measuring GIF’s performance over time against the Plan’s targets
- Contributing to GIF’s thought leadership, including managing GIF’s self-reflection efforts to ensure that the organisation is continuously iterating, learning and improving
- Operational responsibility for core GIF activities: overseeing resource allocation and implementation of core (non-investment) processes, IT, accounting, payroll, legal and web services
- Support to the CEO in working with the board: with special regard to strategy, planning and human resources
- Leading key relationships: with particular donors, strategic partners and implementing organisations; the Vice President may also be called on to represent the organisation publicly (e.g., at conferences)
- Human resources (interim): to include staff hiring, training, coaching and feedback (until GIF hires a HR specialist)
- As GIF grows, managing and coaching some junior members of the team
- Reviewing, analysing and managing investments and grants: a significant amount of the Vice President’s time will be spent on GIF applications & investments, like most other members of the team
GIF is a dynamic and rapidly growing start-up entity; the Vice President will be expected to adapt quickly to the needs of the organization and could have a range of other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS EXPECTATIONS
- 10-12+ years of relevant track record in strategic leadership and management
- An advanced degree in management (e.g. MBA)
- Strategic vision and analysis: the ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, set priorities and make smart decisions to help GIF achieve its goals
- Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, flexible, and innovative approach to operational management
- An understanding of the management, legal and regulatory challenges of non-profits
- Ability to build strong relationships with fellow team members, and the other leaders of GIF (such as the board)
- Excellent project management skills
- On-the-ground experience setting strategies and building business models for social enterprises / non-profit organisations in developing countries preferred but not required
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- A demonstrated commitment to GIF’s mission, values and theory of change
- Passion, humility, integrity, team player, and a spirited sense of humour
HOW TO APPLY
Email jobs@globalinnovation.fund by 16th December 2014 with the position you are applying for in the subject title, short covering note and CV attached. The vacancy will remain open until filled with a suitable candidate. Compensation will be competitive with similar social enterprises.
Women, minorities, and candidates from developing countries are encouraged to apply.
Note this position will be based in the UK or the US and requires the candidate to have appropriate work authorization and relevant visas.
About the Organization
The Global Innovation Fund (www.globalinnovation.fund) (GIF) is a ground breaking new $200m nonprofit innovation fund headquartered in London. We invest in the development, rigorous testing and scaling of innovations targeted at improving the lives of the poorest people in developing countries. GIF aims to support a portfolio of innovations that collectively open up opportunities and improve lives for hundreds of millions of people across the developing world.
We believe that the best ideas for solving some of the world’s most critical problems can come from anyone, anywhere. Through our grants and risk capital, we support breakthrough solutions to global development challenges from social enterprises, for-profit firms, non-profit organisations, researchers, and government agencies.
GIF offers grants, loans (including convertible debt), and equity investments ranging from £30,000 to £10 million to support a range of innovations with strong potential for social impact at a large scale. We define ‘innovation’ broadly to include new business models, policy practices, technologies, behavioral insights, or ways of delivering products and services that benefit the poor in developing countries. We support innovators at different phases of development, ranging from early start-up and pilot-testing to larger scale implementation. The innovations GIF supports can be located in any developing country and may focus on any sector relevant to international development (see a list at www.globalinnovation.fund/sectors).
