Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Work Ready Nigeria

Work Ready Nigeria is an initiative borne out of the need to address the skill gaps and inadequacies of Graduates in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reports to: Board Chair (on behalf of Board of Directors)

Organization Overview

The Work-Ready Boot Camp is a four-months intensive training and assessment program with the goal of producing work-ready graduates that have expertise in entrepreneurial leadership, communication skills, project management capabilities and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
The WRA curriculum is based on a blended learning system that leans heavily on publicly-available online learning, peer-based learning and is heavily dependent on the use of technology to maximize the efficiency and the effectiveness of the learning process.
After the “Work-Ready Boot Camp”, these graduates will gain employment at top companies in Africa, or (if they prefer) pursue independent entrepreneurial business careers.

Overview Of Responsibilities

The CEO is the leader of the organization, and the Chief Mobilizer; s/he leverages the power of relationships and networks, and works across private, public and corporate sectors to improve conditions in the community.
The CEO possesses a high level of broad business and management skills and is effective at generating resources and financial support for the organization.
The CEO is dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good – creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies for broad investment and impact.
The CEO is the steward of brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation of Work Ready Nigeria. S/he is responsible for building trust in Work Ready Nigeria and its relevance in the community.

Key Responsibilities / Essential Functions
The major responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

Community Impact:

The CEO works closely with the Board to craft and adapt the strategy to achieve this increased impact, including raising the funds to support it.
S/he will establish and build relationships with top leaders in the community, including those representing the highest levels in business, government and non-profit sectors.

Resource Development:

The CEO is charged to drive key results in fundraising; to identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors, and key leaders of prospective new corporate partners; to leverage personal and professional contacts and relationships into fundraising opportunities; and to promote a culture of fundraising in the organization, both at the staff and board level.
The CEO will also be responsible for coming up with marketing plans to ensure we continue to recruit the best graduates at all times.

Strategic Management:

The CEO serves as the principal resource to the Board of Directors and its key committees and gives strong direction in policy formulation and interpretation.
S/he partners with the Board of Directors and the Senior Leadership team to craft organizational goals and develops strategies to ensure that they are achieved.
S/he ensures coordination and alignment of all Work Ready Nigeria activities to strategic direction in the areas of community impact, resource development, and staff alignment.

Organization Management:

The CEO is accountable for building and leading high-performing teams, ensuring all teams are aligned and collaborating to achieve organizational results.
S/he maintains accountability for the operational and fiscal integrity of the organization within policies set by the Board of Directors.
The CEO assesses organizational capacity to implement strategies and identify gaps in systems and staffing; directly supervises Senior Leadership positions and establishes individual goals; works with the Head of Finance to manage organizational spending, monitor budget compliance, and mitigate financial risks; and ensures that goals of inclusiveness and diversity among staff and volunteers are met.

Experience / Position Requirements

Substantial experience working in the Education and/or Human Resource sectors are desirable.
Expertise on issues relevant to the organization.
Ability to command the confidence and respect of stakeholders.
A demonstrated track record of promoting diversity and an ability to build collaboration with the community at large.
Experience in developing partnerships, building teams and conflict management.
Experience in building revenue and increasing philanthropic support.
Must demonstrate a high level of intelligence and intellectual curiosity and a desire to explore new ideas and innovative approaches to solving problems.
S/he has unquestioned integrity; a long term perspective; a strong sense of accountability; a practical ability to get things done; wisdom and good judgment; a fair and thoughtful approach to management, combined with the flexibility and courage to shift direction and experiment with new initiatives; excellent verbal and written communication skills; a high energy level and sense of humor.

Education Background

Undergraduate degree required. Training, experience or advanced degree preferred in business, or management. Experience for 3 years in role may substitute for an advanced degree.

Core Competencies required for this Position:

Mission-Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations.
Relationship-Oriented: Understands that people come before process and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
Collaborator: understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
Results-Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good; creating, resourcing, scaling, and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
Brand Steward: Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network.
Visionary: Confronts the complex realities of the environment and simultaneously maintains faith in a different and better future, providing purpose, direction, and motivation.
Team-Builder: First ensures that the right people are in the right roles at the right times; fostering commitment, trust, and collaboration among multi-cultural leaders and stakeholders.
Outward Turning: Understands the dynamics of local, regional, and national environments, and works on an agenda rooted in the community’s own perception of its needs and aspirations.
Business Acumen: Possesses a high-level of broad business and management skills and is effective at generating financial support for the organization.
Network-Oriented: Values the power of networks; striving to leverage Work Ready Nigeria’s breadth of community presence, relationships, and strategy.