Executive Director

Heart-Links Lazos de Corazón is seeking an Executive Director with a passion for social justice and equitable approaches to partnership and project implementation. The ideal candidate possesses the following skills and experience:

• strong communication in Spanish and English
• small office management
• website maintenance and optimization
• non-profit financial controls, CRA and Corporations Canada compliance
• fundraising, especially experience with major gifts and planned giving
• best practices in international cooperation and sustainable development

As Heart-Links’ only staffperson, the Executive Director must be a self-starter and enjoy working independently. The role requires some irregular hours for meetings with the volunteer board, presentations and events.

This position offers flexibility; ample opportunity for learning, professional development and creativity; a negotiable benefits package; and the opportunity to work with a community of change-makers in Peru and Canada to help create a more just world. 

About Heart-Links

HEART-LINKS LAZOS DE CORAZÓN is a small London-based nongovernmental organization that works to advance community development in northern Peru. We partner with organizations in Peru to finance and accompany initiatives in education, leadership training, gender equality, health and wellness, and Indigenous and cultural rights. We also organize an annual trip to northern Peru for Canadians who are interested in walking in solidarity with people from another part of the world.

Our mission: To work in solidarity with our partners in northern Peru as they address the root causes of poverty and social injustices in their communities. To raise awareness in Canada about global issues and work at the local, provincial and national levels to help develop good global citizens.

Position Summary

The Executive Director, with support from a volunteer Board of Directors, is responsible for implementing Heart-Links’ strategic priorities to advance the organization’s vision and successfully meet our mission. The scope of responsibilities covers overseeing daily operations and facilitating correspondence with our partners in northern Peru as well as playing a leading role in the organization’s financial management, fund development, donor relations, external and internal communications, and volunteer management.

The Executive Director may be asked to travel to Peru on monitoring or solidarity trips. Responsibilities on these trips include development of itinerary and budget, coordination with local partners, managing trip finances, logistics, translation, monitoring and reporting. Solidarity trips can occur annually. Monitoring trips are every two years.

Scope

Duties: Implement strategies for effective donor relations, recruitment and retention. Help develop and implement a plan to increase revenue, with a focus on major and planned gifts. Research and identify funding opportunities, draft grant applications, and write cases for support. Make audiovisual and spoken presentations to interested groups. Take a leading role in organizing and running special events. Record donations, issue receipts and comply with CRA requirements. Draft and send direct mail appeals and stewardship letters. Produce and distribute annual report.

Competencies: Knowledge of standard charitable revenue streams and approaches to fund development that produce the best return on investment. Good people skills and a genuine interest in getting to know our supporters, their interests and needs. Experience with major gifts and planned giving is an asset. Grant writing experience is an asset. Knowledge of community-centric fundraising is a plus.

Administration

Duties: General office administration and management of systems, including

• development and maintenance of efficient processes
• assistance in developing or revising related policies
• purchasing, payments and banking
• payroll
• oversight of bookkeeping (quarterly)
• preparation of year-end package for external review engagement
• reporting and document submission to CRA and Corporation Canada
• development and maintenance of distribution lists

Competencies: Ability to work independently, to take initiative and to problem solve. Organized, detail-oriented and able to transition seamlessly between numerous tasks. Familiarity with small office management and the tools used in an office setting. Familiarity with budgets, financial statements, and basic financial controls. Experience using databases or CRM software is an asset. Advanced knowledge of Excel and experience using Quickbooks is an asset. Knowledge of or experience in non-profit management is an asset.

Volunteer Management & Committee Work

Duties: Sit on and contribute to all permanent committees and, as an ex oficio member, the board of directors. Recruit, interview and onboard committee volunteers and track compliance pieces. Manage volunteers enlisted for special initiatives and events.

Competencies: Team player who is able to encourage, inspire and guide volunteers. Committed to EDI and anti-racist practices. Some flexibility in working hours is required since committee and board meetings are most often on weekday evenings. Experience sitting on or working with a volunteer board is an asset.

Communications

Duties: Develop and implement communications plan and strategies to raise awareness, provide platforms for the voices of our partners, promote a positive image of the organization, engage supporters and generate financial support. Maintain communication across the organization and with all Canadian stakeholders (including donors, volunteers, partners and community members), maintain and optimize website, develop content for blog and social media channels, and design promotional materials. Produce annual report.

Competencies: Superior written and verbal skills in Spanish and English. Basic knowledge of website (Wordpress) maintenance and design. Familiarity with Dignified Storytelling is an asset. Knowledge of website optimization is an asset. Social media skills are an asset. Fluency in Spanish and English is a requirement.

Project Facilitation

Duties: Provide support to our Peru Projects Committee and act as the main point of contact and intermediary for partners in Peru. Draft report templates, auto-translate proposals and reports, and provide verbal or written translations as needed. Report to donors and granting bodies on project impacts.

Competencies: Commitment to horizontal relationships with our partners in Peru, to the Istanbul Principles and to decolonizing international cooperation. Education or experience in International Development is an asset. Experience living or working in Peru, other countries in Latin America or other countries in the Global South is an asset. Familiarity with Monitoring and Evaluation and results-based management is an asset.

Compensation & Position Requirements

Two-year contract, with the possibility of extension. 24 hours per week, mostly in office, flexible schedule. Hourly rate of $27.83. A vulnerable sector records check is required.

We know the greatest ideas come from a diverse mix of backgrounds, minds and experiences, and are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. We are actively seeking a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, especially those from communities underrepresented in the sector.

How to Apply

Please submit your resumé and cover letter to the Heart-Links Hiring Committee at info@heart-links.org

Questions about the process may be addressed to the same email.