Executive Secretary

About the role

The BioGuinea Foundation (FBG) is a charity established in 2011 and registered under the laws of England and Wales. FBG is a not-for-profit and independent conservation trust fund dedicated to Guinea Bissau (GB). The Executive Secretary (ES) is the link between the governance bodies of the FBG and its In-country team, providing overall leadership towards agreed targets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meeting documents and information as well as the minutes of the meetings, maintaining and updating a register of official Board documents in an electronic file
• Provide overall leadership to the In-country team towards agreed targets, ensuring day-to-day management, quality review, and supervision of the implementation of the strategic plan, fund raising plan, annual work plans, and budgets
• Sign contracts on behalf of the FBG, such as consultancy contracts, leases, tax declarations, grant agreements, and banking documents when authorized by the Board
• Ensure the FBG’s regulatory compliance, including submitting information and reporting requirements to the authorities in the UK
• Represent and promote the interests of the FBG to the Government of Guinea-Bissau, IBAP, local and international non-governmental organisations, financial and technical partners, and private foundations

Specific Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership: lead the preparation and implementation of multi-year strategic plans, ensure the FBG’s funding programme is well documented and updated, and provide strategic leadership to the staff of the In-country team
• Financial resource mobilization: lead the preparation of the fundraising strategy and its updates, implement the fundraising strategy, and monitor and assess its implementation
• Liaison with the Board and other governance bodies: ensure effective support to the governance bodies, serve as Secretary to the Board, and draft and/or revise Board reports and documents
• Management of the In-country team: lead the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the FBG’s annual work plans and budgets, and ensure the quality of all FBG’s activities and products
• Fiduciary management and control: ensure the establishment/implementation of a sound financial management system, review work plans and budgets, and supervise preparation and maintenance of financial records and accounts
• Grants programme management: design and implement grant programmes, ensure that applicants and grantees receive appropriate training and support, and oversee grants administration and monitoring and evaluation of grant portfolio

Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree (or equivalent or superior) in development studies, business management or economics, natural resources, environment management or related discipline
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a leadership position
• Experience in strategic planning and organization development
• Demonstrated organizational and management experience in administering staff, developing and implementing a detailed budget and other resources
• Demonstrated skill, experience, and success in fundraising with an emphasis on international cooperation
• Relevant experience in the environment/biodiversity conservation and/or sustainable development sector