Executive Director

Job description

Key Responsibilities Governance, Compliance & Policy The Executive Director will: Ensure that the Foundation's operations and activities comply with its Deed of Trust and Conditions of Service, applicable laws and regulations of the Kingdom of Lesotho, active Memoranda of Agreement, donor grants and contracts, and applicable service-line agreements. Ensure alignment of the Foundation's functions and departments, including finance, administration, communications, clinical services, research, education and outreach, with applicable legislation, institutional policies and donor requirements. Facilitate the regular review, updating and approval of institutional personnel, administrative and clinical policies, procedures and relevant standard operating procedures. Promote a culture of accountability, ethical leadership and institutional compliance throughout the organisation. Strategic & Programme Leadership Lead the preparation of annual strategic work plans and budgets for consideration and approval by the Board of Trustees. Oversee the preparation and approval of donor work plans and budgets in accordance with signed grant agreements. Supervise and coordinate the development of strategic plans and policies. Provide strategic oversight and expert review of new and renewal grant proposals, ensuring alignment with the Foundation's strategic priorities and relevant Board approval requirements. Oversee and support the Foundation's clinical and research activities. Anticipate emerging service-delivery requirements and lead organisational planning and adaptation where necessary. Financial Oversight Provide fiscal and budgetary oversight across the Foundation's operations. Ensure effective stewardship and allocation of institutional and donor resources. Facilitate appropriate financial reviews and approvals by the Board of Trustees. Maintain appropriate oversight of budgeting, audit compliance and financial accountability across multi-million-dollar operations. Stakeholder & Partner Relations Facilitate effective communication with employees, patients, clients and beneficiaries, partner organisations, Government Ministries and the Board of Trustees. Develop and strengthen strategic relationships with the Government of Lesotho, donor institutions, partner organisations, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital and other network partners and stakeholders. Represent and advance the Foundation's mission and strategic interests with key national and international stakeholders. Advocate in relevant public forums on matters falling within the Foundation's mission and, where appropriate, serve as a resource to public officials, policymakers and the media. Board Relations & Reporting Serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board of Trustees, as provided for in the Foundation's Deed of Trust. Maintain an effective and constructive working relationship with the Board. Provide regular financial, programme and organisational reports to the Board of Trustees as required. Support the Board in exercising effective institutional oversight and governance. Fundraising & Development Supervise and coordinate the Foundation's fundraising and development activities in partnership with the Board of Trustees. Support resource mobilisation and the development of sustainable funding relationships. Cultivate strategic partnerships with government, bilateral and multilateral donors, academic and medical institutions and other development partners. Qualifications & Experience Candidates should demonstrate a combination of senior executive leadership, institutional management capability and experience operating within complex health and/or international development environments. The successful candidate should possess: An advanced degree (Master's degree or higher) in Public Health, Health Administration, Business Administration, Medicine or a related field. A doctoral qualification such as an MD, PhD or DrPH will be an added advantage. A minimum of 10 years of progressive senior leadership experience. Previous experience as an Executive Director, Country Director or in a comparable executive-level position within a health-focused NGO or international development organisation will be an added advantage. Demonstrated experience leading an organisation or division of comparable scale and complexity. Experience managing multi-donor portfolios, including exposure to funding environments such as US Government, Global Fund, Government and private foundations. Experience providing leadership and oversight for budgets of USD 5 million or more. Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of 200 or more employees. A proven track record in grant compliance, donor reporting and donor relationship management. Substantial professional experience in Sub-Saharan Africa. Experience in Lesotho or a comparable Southern African health-system context is strongly preferred. Experience overseeing clinical, research or public-health service-delivery programmes, ideally within HIV/AIDS, paediatric care or related health areas. Demonstrated success in fundraising, resource mobilisation and strategic partnership development. Experience engaging government ministries, bilateral and multilateral donors, and academic or medical institutions. Experience working with or reporting to a governing Board of Trustees or Directors, supported by a strong understanding of non-profit governance principles. Strong financial management and fiscal oversight experience, including budgeting, audit compliance and resource allocation within multi-million-dollar operations. Demonstrated experience navigating legal, regulatory and donor-compliance requirements within a local or international NGO environment. Leadership Skills & Competencies The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate: High-level strategic and organisational leadership capability. The ability to work cooperatively and credibly with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, employees, Government Ministries, donors and local and international partner organisations. The ability to manage multiple programmes while maintaining strategic focus and organisational agility. Capacity to forecast trends in service-delivery requirements, anticipate organisational change and lead implementation planning. Mature judgement, tact and diplomacy in the management of people and complex stakeholder relationships. A strong commitment to ethical leadership and compliance with institutional policies and procedures. The ability to establish and sustain strong collaborative relationships with network partners, including Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, the Government of Lesotho – particularly the Ministry of Health – and relevant health coordinating agencies, including US Government and United Nations agencies. Strong verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills. Fluency in written and spoken English. Willingness and flexibility to travel as required, including internationally. How to Apply Interested candidates should submit: A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae with a minimum of three references; and A cover letter outlining their motivation and suitability for the position. Candidates are encouraged to clearly demonstrate in their application the scale and complexity of their leadership experience, including organisational/programme responsibility, budget oversight, team leadership and donor/stakeholder engagement. Applications should be emailed to the shared email address quoting “Executive Director – BCMCFL” in the subject line. Closing Date: 4 September 2026 at 17h00 SAST Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Supporting documentation may be requested at subsequent stages of the selection process. The recruitment process for this appointment is managed by Senqu HR Solutions on behalf of Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation – Lesotho. Enquiries For further information regarding the role: Khotso Masheane Tel: (+266) 63249423 / 59814444 Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation – Lesotho (BCMCFL) Duty Station: Maseru, Lesotho Reports to: Chairperson, Board of Trustees Classification: Executive – Full-time, Contract (Renewable) About BCMCFL Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation – Lesotho (BCMCFL) is a local non-governmental organisation established in 2005 through a public-private partnership between Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative and the Government of Lesotho. The Foundation is a legally registered non-profit organisation in Lesotho providing free paediatric and family-centred HIV and tuberculosis prevention, care, treatment and support services. It serves thousands of children and families affected by HIV, TB and other child health conditions and implements donor-funded programmes that support and strengthen the Government of Lesotho's health system. BCMCFL is seeking to appoint an accomplished, strategic and values-driven leader to serve as its Executive Director.