Director for Reporters sans frontières USA

Founded in 1985, RSF is one of the oldest press freedom and freedom of information organizations. It’s an international non-profit NGO that has been active for over 30 years. There is a dynamic, robust, and unique network of local correspondents in 130 countries around the world. The organization has offices in 13 locations around the world and holds a consultative status with the United Nations.

Title: Director, RSF US/America
Location: US Bureau (Washington, D.C. and San Francisco offices)
Reports to: Deputy Executive Director in Charge of Programs (Antoine Bernard)
Team: Four staff

Summary: 

The Director of RSF US will develop the strategy for the US bureau in coordination with Paris and lead the USoperations for the organization in the United States, Canada & English-speaking Caribbean.This highly skilled, passionate and collaborative leader will be responsible for amplifying RSF’s international work and developing and implementing the strategy for RSF (for the United States, Canada & English-speaking Caribbean). The work will mainly consist in conducting advocacy around issues related to freedom, independence and pluralism of journalism and organizing the work with partners or families of journalists who are detained/incarcerated abroad. This role reports to RSF US board for operational, legal and financial matters and coordinates with RSF’s HQ in Paris.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall leadership in the design, development and implementation of the RSF strategy in the United States, Canada and English-speaking Caribbean
• Oversee the development of the fundraising strategy and effective implementation; and
• Oversee the development and implementation of RSF communication strategies (in the region)

Advocacy and Engagement (35%)

• Outreach to US government entities; US Congress and State Department, as well as the multilateral bodies including the United Nations in New York
• Supervise monitoring of press freedom violations and coordinating with press freedom partners; and 
• Provide specific support to families and employers of American journalists held hostage or imprisoned

Fundraising (25%)

• Supervise the cultivation and prospect activities with foundations, major donors, individual gifts and online donor
• Act as RSF’s spokesperson in the region and global (if/as needed)

Management Operations (25%)

• Manage current (4) staff in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco
• Provide oversight of financial and legal responsibilities
• for the organization (accounting, audit, expenses,
• insurance, registrations, staff and organizational
• performance management); and
• Liaise with the US Legal and Advisory Boards 

Partnerships and Engagement (15%)

• Create, cultivate and manage key partnerships in the region to advance the mission and cause; and

• Oversee the effective management of various public events and engagement including communication and/or educational initiatives such as photo exhibitions, panel discussions, press conference or other related brand-awareness raising or outreach

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate will have the following professional
and personal skills, competencies and characteristics:

Proven experience in providing strategic guidance, strategy development and implementation of a local, and yet global, organization

Alignment to the mission of a free-press – and ability to understand and articulate why free-press matters

Demonstrated passion and compassion for working with journalists affected and their families

Team leadership for performance and organizational growth

Operational management (finance, procurement, HR and general office oversight)

Change management skills

Proven communication skills (oral and written)

In-depth knowledge of geo-politics, culture, social movements and socio-economic environment

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in a related field is preferred

7-10 years’ experience ideal

French language proficiency strongly preferred

Experience working with and reporting to a board preferred (proven ability to advise and apprise the board comprehensively, timely and accurately on a regular basis)

Ability to partner with “like” organizations to leverage impact (e.g. CPJ, and others)

Proven track record in partner engagement, mobilizing initiatives and fundraising

High level of media competency, communications and experience engaging with and serving as the spokesperson for the organization

Proven analytical and problem-solving skills – broad knowledge of the global climate and environmental politics; and

Team leadership for performance and organizational growth

How to Apply

Freedom of expression and information will always be the world’s most important freedom. If journalists were not free to report the facts, denounce abuses, and alert the public, how would we resist the problem of children-soldiers, defend women’s rights, or preserve our environment?

If you are aware and passionate about keeping press freedom in a time such as this, and if you are keen to build a movement here in North America towards freedom of information, please apply! Prospective candidates should contact our search partners, Koya Leadership Partners. Koya is a leading retained executive search and human capital consulting firm that works exclusively with mission-driven clients, institutions of higher education and social enterprises. Koya delivers measurable results by finding exceptionally talented people who truly fit the unique culture of client organizations and ensures that organizations have the resources and strategies to support them.

A founding hallmark of Koya Leadership Partners has been the focus and intentionality of creating an environment of inclusion, not only through the search process, but throughout our entire organization. We embrace the fundamental notion that diversity, equity and inclusion enhance the abilities of institutions to achieve their missions and have a profound impact in their communities. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement can be found here for your further review. We very much welcome and encourage candidates of protected groups of people to come forward and apply.

Nicole Kamaleson, Managing Director of Global Search of Koya Leadership Partners will be leading this pivotal hiring process. Please submit your compelling application that will include both a cover letter (addressing your personal motivation and suitability per the role specifications) and your CV/resume details your career history/accomplishments here. Applications should be received before the 26 of April 2019. Should you prefer to have a conversation with someone about the role, please send an email to [email protected] and a Koya colleague will be in touch to set up a mutually agreeable time for a brief chat.