Mission of the Role

To secure long-term financial sustainability, grow diversified funding, strengthen governance and operational systems, and lead a high-performing team to deliver mission impact at scale.

Outcomes (12-Month Results)

Fundraising and Sustainability
Raise sufficient funds to cover Executive Director salary and core operating costs (target: USD $250k).
Establish a minimum 12-month cash runway.
Secure 3–5 new donor partnerships.
Convert at least 30% of one-time donors into recurring supporters.
Deliver a 3-year fundraising and sustainability plan.
Program Impact and Growth
Maintain program quality while supporting measured growth toward the 2030 goal (10,000 students; 500 Conversation Partners).
Conversation Partner and student satisfaction ≥ 85%.
Conduct an impact evaluation of the program.
Strengthen MEL systems to support funder reporting and learning.
Organizational Leadership and Team Performance
Provide effective line management to the volunteer staff.
Design a transition plan from volunteer-led to salaried senior staff.
Establish clear KPIs and accountability structures for all functional areas.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and adaptive organizational culture grounded in decolonial values.
Support leadership development for emerging staff as the organization grows.
Conduct annual performance reviews for senior staff.
Governance and Compliance
Deliver timely quarterly reports to the Board.
Ensure 100% on-time grant, financial, and legal reporting.
Maintain zero major compliance or governance issues.
Brand, Partnerships and External Engagement
Represent Conversations Unbound at 2–4+ sector events.
Strengthen organizational visibility among funders, universities, and migration-focused partners through media and partnerships.
Formalize partnerships with at least 3 strategic institutions (e.g., funders, universities, NGOs).

Key Responsibilities

Lead fundraising strategy and donor development.
Oversee programs, finance, HR, and operations.
Strengthen systems for planning, budgeting, data, reporting.
Guide senior leadership team and drive performance culture.
Serve as primary liaison to the Board.

Core Competencies

Fundraising Mastery
Strategic Thinking
Relationship Building
Communication Excellence
Operational Discipline
Leadership Maturity
Execution and Accountability
Mission Alignment (Decolonial Practice)
Adaptability
Data-Informed Decision-Making

Culture Fit

Deep commitment to decolonial, equity-centered practice
Transparency in financial and program decision-making
High ethical standards and accountability
Collaborative, non-hierarchical leadership style
Empathy balanced with clear expectations and results

Experience Requirements

5-6 years leadership in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations
Proven track record of significant fundraising
Managed budgets of $800k or above
Experience working with Boards and governance structures
Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills

Preferred

Lived experience of forced displacement
Fluency in Spanish, French, or Arabic

A-Player Benchmark

Exceeded fundraising targets for 3+ years
Built sustainable, diversified funding models
Well-networked with donors and philanthropic actors
Developed next-line leaders
Left behind stronger systems and culture
Demonstrated measurable mission impact

First 90-Day Expectations

Identify and build relationships with potential major donors, at least 2-3 ongoing conversations
Present a fundraising and sustainability plan to the Board
Stabilize team and define KPIs for all departments
Fix any operational or compliance gaps
Develop a 12-month execution roadmap

To Apply:

Submit your application to to applications@conversationsunbound.org. Please include the following: 1) resume, 2) cover letter detailing how your experience aligns with the above qualifications, and 3) a 1-page description of your strategy to raise philanthropic funds for Conversations Unbound over 1 year, including which funders to target, why, and how given that the organization has no major donors at present.

Conversations Unbound is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of forced displacement.

Conversations Unbound jobs

Executive Director