Nathan Garber & Associates
Governance & Planning Support for the Not-for-Profit Sector

JOB DESCRIPTION: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
UNITY PROJECT FOR RELIEF OF HOMELESSNESS 

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Organization

The Unity Project provides both emergency shelter beds and transitional housing in a renovated building in East London (Ontario).  It fills a unique niche in the range of local services by offering a small scale, family-like atmosphere suitable for couples and individuals for whom other shelters and transitional housing services are not suitable.  Residential services are supported by life-skills training and peer support.  

Executive Director

General Responsibility

The Executive Director is responsible for the achievement of the Unity Project’s core goals:

·         to provide transitional housing, emergency shelter, and overnight safe beds;

·         to help residents seek, obtain, and maintain employment;

·         to help residents achieve self-sufficiency through life-skills training, educational upgrading, and  increased knowledge of personal budgeting and finances;

·         to provide assistance and referrals to help residents deal with mental health issues that prevent self-sufficiency;

·         to increase residents’ knowledge of individual strengths, and application of work ethic toward goals and personal growth;

·         to support resident endeavours and help guide them towards a permanent solution.

 Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director guides the development of the strategic vision  for The Unity Project, ensuring effective communications and liaison with a variety of stakeholders, and is responsible for the management of approximately 12 staff supported by volunteers.  The following are the priorities of the Executive Director position:

·         Lead an experienced and committed team keeping the focus on providing a safe and secure environment and promoting the personal growth of residents.

·         Provide professional management to the on-going operations of The Unity Project in a manner which is motivating to employees and which has the confidence of the Board and key stakeholders;

·         Develop and maintain a work environment that supports employee development;

·         Ensure that The Unity Project continues to serve its residents and the community in a manner that meets their evolving needs;

·         Secure the confidence of key stakeholders, to understand their perspectives and needs;

·         Represent the Unity Project in community efforts to reduce homelessness;

·         Enhance marketing and public relation plans, creating a greater awareness of our services, particularly within government circles and among the general public;

·         Facilitate the exchange of knowledge among similar agencies;

·         Enhance the financial position of The Unity Project through grants, sustainable project funding initiatives, partnerships and collaborative ventures. 

Specific Responsibilities

Planning and Evaluation

A major responsibility for the Executive Director of this new organization will be to assist the Board in the development of a long-term strategic vision and strategic plan for The Unity Project. Specific activities may include:

·         extensive consultation with a variety of key stakeholders;

·         assisting the Board to formulate vision, mission, and values statements;

·         developing policies, programs, procedures to implement strategic plans;

·         developing and applying methods to evaluate the outcomes and activities of programs;

·         identifying resources required  to achieve objectives;

·         preparing budgets, monitoring and reporting to the Board on the organization’s financial condition.

 At the operational level, the Executive Director leads and works with other staff to design and deliver programs and services necessary to implement the strategic plan and meet the needs of residents. Specific activities may include:

·         developing collaborative programs with other agencies;

·         ensuring that case management plans are developed, implemented, and monitored in accordance with funding requirements;

·         monitoring progress of individual residents;

·         developing and documenting policies, procedures and other organizational practices;

·         identifying training needs of staff and volunteers, planning and implementing training programs. 

Management and Administration

The Executive Director is responsible for the efficient, effective, and ethical operation of The Unity Project. Specific activities may include:

·         ensuring all staffing requirements are met, providing advice and direction where required;

·         providing leadership to staff and volunteers;

·         all aspects of personnel management, including hiring, directing, evaluating, guiding, training, and releasing staff and volunteers;

·         assisting the Board in achieving financial sustainability through preparation of funding proposals and reports, and participation in fundraising activities;

·         ensuring that risks to staff, volunteers, residents and the community are minimized through effective risk management and accountability systems;

·         ensuring that the physical environment is safe, clean, and properly maintained;

·         monitoring and directing progress towards achievement of the mission;

·         ensuring that all funding applications, agreements, and reports are properly completed and submitted on time;

·         establishing financial and administrative control and follow up mechanisms. 

Community Relations

An important role of the Executive Director is to nurture strategic alliances among the stakeholder groups. In this capacity, the Executive Director

·         interacts frequently with a variety of stakeholders including Board members, staff, funders, partner agencies, labour unions, government, media and others;

·         promotes The Unity Project’s mission and vision to the community. 

Board Relations

The Executive Director is the primary link between the Board and the organization and is therefore responsible for providing accurate and timely advice and counsel to the Board of Directors. In this capacity, the Executive Director:

·         provides the Board with regular reports on organizational activities and outcomes;

·         provides the Board with regular reports on actual and projected revenues and expenditures, and the organization’s financial condition.

·         provides other information and advice to the board to enable them to fulfill their responsibilities. 

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have a history of demonstrated dynamic leadership in services for people requiring shelter or and personal values that correspond to The Unity Project’s core values and mission.  

Skills and Knowledge

The skills and knowledge required for successful performance might be gained from the following experience:

·         senior leadership experience in an organization working with the disadvantaged, homeless or marginally housed;

·         a history of positive relationships with The Unity Project’s core funders, partners, and other stakeholders;

·         demonstrated experience in handling emergency situations and a full knowledge of conflict resolution, crisis intervention and harm reduction techniques;

·         senior financial management and fundraising experience, ideally in environment with multiple funders;

·         demonstrated expertise in successfully developing and executing strategic plans;

·         demonstrated success in implementing collaborative initiatives;

·         experience in working with a wide variety of groups, including labour, all levels of government and the community, private sector, media, and voluntary organizations. 

Personal Qualities

Personal qualities required for successful performance include:

·         vision, creativity and the ability to think strategically;

·         political awareness and sensitivity to the contexts in which The Unity Project functions;

·         ability to create a caring and positive work environment through an exemplary work ethic, strong communication skills, consensus-building skills, empathy, and self-awareness.

·         strong implementation skills, sense of priorities and concern for operational imperatives;

·         commitment to inclusiveness and diversity and a deep appreciation of the many cultures that shape and enrich our society. 

Compensation

To be negotiated. 

Contract of Employment

Employment will be contingent upon an agreement being negotiated between the Board and the successful candidate. Applicants must be willing to authorize a criminal record check and a search of all available police records to determine suitability for working with vulnerable individuals.

To apply

Apply by e-mail only, submitting covering letter and resumé to
execsearch@garberconsulting.com.
Closing date is May 26, 2003

Nathan Garber & Associates
Training and Consulting for the Nonprofit Sector
1071 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, Canada  N6A 3K1
tel: (519) 439-3008  fax: (519) 439-3008
Nathan@GarberConsulting.com