Executive Director

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership and direction, overseeing the development of a new five-year strategic plan, and accelerating the growth of Action Against Hunger’s (ACF) reach in Canada.

The Organization:

Founded in 1979, Action Against Hunger / Action contre la faim (ACF) is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. ACF saves the lives of malnourished children while helping communities become self-sufficient. Recognized as a world leader in the fight against malnutrition, Action Against Hunger has pursued its vision of a world without hunger for almost four decades, combating hunger in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity. With more than 8,000 staff in nearly 50 countries, their programs in nutrition, food security, livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene, reach more than 20 million people each year.

Action Against Hunger Canada is a core member of ACF’s Global office network, devoted to the cause of ending malnutrition in children. Following the successful execution of it’s most recent five year strategic plan, ACF is positioned to accelerate the reach and impact of the programs, services, and advocacy locally and globally and is seeking a new leader to drive the organization further forward.

The Executive Director is a challenging role offering a unique and exciting opportunity for an accomplished professional in the not-for-profit sector who is seeking to put their experience and skills to work towards growing the Canadian office of a globally renowned and respected NGO. Action Against Hunger Canada is one of six-member headquarters in the organization’s international network with offices at Bathurst and Bloor in downtown Toronto. The Canadian office works with significant donors in Canada and is the center of expertise for the SMART methodology and Gender programs.

Expanded Strategic Mandate for the Executive Director:

• The Board would like to see ACF Canada become a highly visible charity with its positive impact being felt and well known in Canada and around the world.
• Diversifying revenue and development sources continues to be a major focus of the Board. Investments have been made in digital fundraising and donor relations. The Board would like to see that investment to continue to demonstrate growth and to expand to other non-government sources. 
• Develop a team with built in ED succession.

Responsibilities include:

• Driving significant progress against ACF’s global strategic plan and leading the execution of Canadian specific goals in a manner consistent with the organization’s vision, mission, and values.
• Be the local and global face and voice of ACF Canada .
• Articulating, role modelling and demonstrating the values and philosophies of AAH Canada.
• To enhance Action Against Hunger’s recognition in Canada through community engagement and partnerships, allowing the organization to become a household name over the next 3-5 years.
• Responsible for strategic planning to ensure Action Against Hunger can fulfill its mission of fighting hunger and its root causes worldwide and in Canada. This includes input into the International Strategic Plan and developing a specific strategic plan for Canada.
• To oversee the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization.
• Lead, manage and guide employees, providing direction and oversight to staff and including a leadership team of 5 key direct reports that includes, CFO, Head of Operations, and Fundraising Manager in addition to remote teams in other countries.
• Manage government stakeholders and private funders associated with AAH Canada.
• To plan, implement and monitor programs through the development of objectives aimed at ending food insecurity globally and in Canada.
• Build and nurture a culture of commitment among Board members through effective communication, dynamic leadership, and appropriate levels of engagement on issues of strategic importance to ACF.
• Build strong and diverse relations that expand fundraising sources beyond Canadian Government grants, in particular, professional services revenue from institutional donors and major gifts, grants from high net worth individuals and foundations to support ACF and ACF Canada’s mission.
• Responsible for fiscal management that anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization and aligning the organization with a positive financial position.
• Responsible for identifying, attracting and retaining the talent required to achieve ACF’s 3-5 year goals.
• Inspire new programs and innovative initiatives to fulfill objectives and mission of ACF and ACF Canada
• Responsible for effective oversight and management of ACF and ACF Canada day-to-day and “big picture” operations.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required:

• Post-Secondary Credential related to Non-Profit Management, Policy, Political Science, Development / Humanitarian Studies, Journalism or a related field.  
• 10 years’ experience and a demonstrable understanding of funding and leadership programs for charities and NGO’s in Canada. 
• Demonstrated experience leading an operation to driving efficiencies and improving operations.
• Exceptional communicator; strong oral and written communication skills.
• High level strategic thinking and planning ability; experience growing an organization is an asset.
• Sensitivity to and knowledge of world hunger causes, effects and solutions.
• Experience successfully working at and impacting a non-government organization or not-for-profit.
• Strong understanding of how to expand funding reach of the organization.
• Ability to envision and communicate AAH’s strategic future to staff, Board, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• A proven track record of successfully growing an organization; understanding of profitable growth a must.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including planning, delegating, program delivery and development and task facilitation.
• Previous success establishing relationships with individuals and organizations including funders, partner agencies and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with senior management, board and staff.
• Valid passport and ability to travel.
• Strong ability to manage staff across borders internationally and remotely.

Location: 

The head office is located in Toronto, Ontario. Post Covid travel restrictions, there is travel associated with this role across Canada to meet with significant donors and international travel to attend meetings of Action Against Hunger internationally and also to visit areas that donors have programs.

Application Details:

Action Against Hunger Canada has a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviour violating the code of conduct, including workplace violence, harassment and sexual harassment, any form of exploitation and abuse, corruption, fraud, and any behaviour lacking integrity. Action Against Hunger recruits new team members who demonstrate a commitment to organizational values and principals.

We welcome applications from: women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, persons from racialized communities, and others who may contribute to the organizational diversity and who share the values of the organization.

All employment offers with Action Against Hunger Canada are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing the Code of Conduct and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy. Certain positions may be subject to appropriate screening checks.

To learn more about Action Against Hunger, visit www.actionagainsthunger.ca

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and express their interest to:

Louise Finn, Associate Principal
The Bedford Consulting Group, Inc.
E: [email protected]

If you are invited to continue the selection process, please notify us as soon as possible of any particular adaptive measures you might require.

The Bedford Consulting Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. It is also our policy to source and present candidates on a non-discriminatory basis. Proactively, we make every good faith effort to include a diverse pool of candidates in our search assignment.

We appreciate all applications, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.