Executive Director

Organizational Description:
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) seeks an Executive Director to lead its global mission of securing full human rights for those who face discrimination and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sexual/gender expression.

IGLHRC is a US-based, multi-national, non-governmental organization with headquarters in New York, program offices in Argentina and South Africa, and project staff in The Philippines. It is the largest global human rights advocacy organization dedicated specifically to promoting human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and those facing violations related to their sexual orientation, gender identity or sexual/gender expression.

Founded in 1990, IGLHRC's core role in the human rights field is working in partnership with LGBT, sexual minority, and allied groups to respond to human rights emergencies, build and support the human rights advocacy capacity of local groups around the world, and promote LGBT rights in international and regional human rights forums. IGLHRC pursues its mission in partnership with allies dedicated to the broader goal of fully incorporating sexual rights within the mainstream human rights framework. IGLHRC has a staff of 18, and a Fiscal Year 2009 budget of US$2.2 million, two-thirds of which is from foundation support.

The Position:

IGLHRC is looking for a dynamic leader to assume the role of Executive Director. The next Executive Director should be as comfortable and capable of promoting IGLHRC's mission among the world's foremost human rights leaders and human rights bodies as she/he is in meeting and strategizing with local LGBT and human rights advocates.

IGLHRC's Executive Director will:

• Provide outstanding human rights leadership and organizational management for IGLHRC's diverse, multi-national staff.
• Partner with the Board and Staff to provide the vision for implementing IGLHRC's five-year strategic plan
• Communicate, inspire and engage people in supporting and advancing IGLHRC's mission
• Raise the organization's profile and influence in promoting its mission.
• Develop and maintain successful relationships with a variety of funders, including corporate, foundation and individuals.
• Recruit, mentor and retain talented staff
• Develop, present and implement annual operational plans, lead all fiscal and budgeting activities, and report to the Board of Directors and other stakeholders on IGLHRC's progress in implementing its plans.

Qualifications:

Mission Related:

• Experience that demonstrates a passion for and commitment to challenging homophobia and advocating for the rights of LGBT people internationally.
• Exceptional substantive experience and knowledge of the field of human rights, international public policy issues, and international and regional human rights structures as they relate to LGBT and/or sexual rights advocacy, and the ability to communicate such issues to a diverse audience.
• A personal commitment to, respect for, and experience working with grassroots organizers and activists, and a track record of building partnerships with allied organizations on an international scale.
• Experience living in and working in fields related to IGLHRC's work in Africa, Asia, and/or Latin America - the locations of IGLHRC's programs.
• Academic degrees in related fields, such as law, public policy or international relations, or a minimum 5 years direct experience as an international human rights advocate on issues related specifically to LGBT or sexual rights issues.
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills with experience in public speaking in international settings. Multi-lingual fluency is required.

Management, Financial and Operational:

• Exceptional management and supervision skills and a background of professional management training, with a minimum of 10 years experience in senior non-profit management level positions.
• Direct responsibility for fiscal oversight and management, including developing and managing budgets.
• Experience overseeing organizational growth and developing the infrastructure to support the growth.

Fundraising and Communications:

• Established track record in non-profit fundraising with institutional, corporate and individual funders, coupled with a vision for connecting IGLHRC to a wider range of donors.
• Experience relevant to communicating IGLHRC's mission and achievements, both in writing and personally, to potential funders.
• Experience in promoting the goals and achievements of a non-profit through communications, marketing and advertising.

Immediate ability to travel within the US and internationally is required.

Application Requirements:

The application deadline is November 30, 2008, though the ED Search Committee will commence initial interviews of all qualified candidates upon receipt of the application.

The email application package must include the following:

1. A cover letter of no more than two pages that addresses key qualifications for the job of Executive Director, commitment to LGBT rights, and vision for IGLHRC's future;
2. An updated resume or CV; and,
3. A list of 3 professional references and contact information along with brief explanation of the candidate's relationship to them.

After initial interviews, qualified candidates may be asked to submit additional documents.

Applications should be sent to: EDSearch08@iglhrc.org.

Additional information about IGLHRC can be found at www.iglhrc.org.

Internal financial and other information will be made available to finalists. All applications will be kept confidential.

IGLHRC places a high value on maintaining a diverse staff and Board of Directors and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

Applications from qualified candidates from or with established work experience related to IGLHRC's mission in Africa, Asia, and/or Latin America will be highly prioritized.