| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | NGO and Social Sector |
| Level | Senior management |
| Reports to | Board of Trustees |
| Direct reports | Programme Director, Fundraising Manager, Finance Manager |
| Experience | 12+ years in the development sector with senior leadership |
Executive Director (NGO) job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Executive Director (NGO)
Department: NGO and Social Sector
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Executive Director leads an NGO or trust, turning the board's mission into programmes, funds and results. They set strategy, raise and steward funds, keep the organisation compliant on registrations and taxation, build the team, and represent the organisation to donors and government. The role reports to the Board of Trustees. A good executive director keeps programmes funded and delivering, the books and registrations clean, and the board informed, while growing the organisation's reach and reputation.
Key responsibilities
- Turn the board's mission into a multi year strategy with clear programmes, budgets and targets.
- Lead fundraising across grants, CSR, individual and institutional donors to fund the annual plan.
- Oversee programme delivery through the programme director and hold teams to outcomes.
- Keep the organisation compliant on registrations, taxation and donor conditions, including FCRA where it applies.
- Present strategy, budgets, audited accounts and results to the board of trustees.
- Build and retain the leadership team and set the organisation's culture and values.
- Represent the organisation to donors, government, networks and the media.
- Approve annual budgets and monitor spending, reserves and cash flow with the finance team.
- Sign major donor agreements and government partnerships within the board's authority.
- Manage organisational risk, safeguarding and governance across all offices and field sites.
Requirements
- Postgraduate in social work, development or management
- MSW, MA in development or MBA is common
- Knowledge of FCRA, 12A and 80G is an advantage
- 12+ years in the development sector with senior leadership
KRAs and KPIs for a Executive Director (NGO)
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Funding | Annual fundraising target met so all core programmes are funded for the year |
| Programme results | Organisation level outcome targets met across active programmes |
| Compliance | All statutory registrations, filings and donor conditions met with no lapse |
| Financial health | Spending within budget and reserves kept at the board approved level |
| Governance | Board reports, audited accounts and annual report delivered on schedule |
| Team | Leadership positions filled and senior retention above the annual target |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: MS Excel and PowerPoint, Accounting and donor software, Grant management trackers, Board report formats, Video conferencing.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Chief Executive Officer, Country Director, Board Trustee
Interview questions for a Executive Director (NGO)
- How do you build a funding mix so the organisation is not dependent on one donor?
- How do you balance donor conditions with the real needs of the communities you serve?
- How do you keep an NGO compliant on FCRA and tax registrations?
- How do you report honestly to a board when a programme is underperforming?
- How do you build and retain a strong team on non profit budgets?
- Describe a funding crisis you led an organisation through and what you did.
Managing a Executive Director (NGO) in ZeniaHR
Hire and manage your NGO and social sector team in one place
Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does an executive director of an NGO do?
An executive director leads an NGO or trust. They set strategy, raise and steward funds, oversee programme delivery, keep the organisation compliant on registrations and taxation, build the team, and represent the organisation to donors and government. They are accountable to the board of trustees for the organisation's mission, finances and results.
Who does an NGO executive director report to?
An NGO executive director reports to the board of trustees or the governing board. The board sets the mission, approves strategy and budgets, and holds the executive director accountable for delivery. The executive director keeps the board informed through regular reports, audited accounts and board meetings.
What qualifications do you need to become an NGO executive director?
Most NGO executive directors hold a postgraduate degree in social work, development studies or management, such as an MSW or MBA. Employers value years of leadership in the development sector, a track record in fundraising, knowledge of statutory compliance including FCRA, 12A and 80G, and the credibility to represent the organisation to donors and government.