| Position: | Interim CEO (Maternity Cover) |
| Duration: | 12 months |
| Reports to: | Board of Directors |
| Location: | Dublin office with Hybrid working |
| Start Date | February 2027 |
| Application process If you wish to discuss this role, please contact Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO at jane-ann@dochas.ie. Applications, including a CV and cover letter outlining suitability for the role, should be submitted by email to Sarah Barragry at sarah@dochas.ie Closing Date: 9am Wednesday 25th November. First round interviews (online): 1st – 4th December Second round interviews: 7th – 11th December |
Dóchas is seeking an experienced leader to cover maternity leave for the role of Chief Executive Officer for 12 months.
Dóchas connects, strengthens, and represents a network of international development and humanitarian organisations that have a shared vision of a just, sustainable, and equal world. Dóchas unites 56 organisations, ranging from small specialist charities to large international NGOs with a worldwide presence. Our members are committed to human rights, justice, and the eradication of poverty, and demonstrate this through their work in international development, protection, humanitarian assistance, sustainability, education, and inclusion. Dóchas members value collaboration and believe that by working together, they can achieve their collective goals. We are guided by our values of collaboration, learning, new ideas, courageous leadership, and agility.
1. Our Strategic Objectives
Our mission is to enable international development and humanitarian organisations in Ireland to achieve greater impact by working together. We achieve this through the following objectives:
- Network: Develop a strong and dynamic network that enhances opportunities for connection, coordination, and collaboration.
- Transform: Help the Irish international development and humanitarian sector to transform by creating opportunities for increased impact.
- Influence: Mobilise our convening power to influence policy change and public support.
- Lead: Encourage strong and diverse leadership in the Irish international development and humanitarian sector.
2. Purpose of the Role
The Interim CEO will lead Dóchas for a 12-month period to cover maternity leave. The primary focus of this role is to provide steady executive leadership, maintain strategic momentum, represent Irish development and humanitarian NGOs to key stakeholders, and support staff while ensuring operational and financial continuity.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Lead the rollout of Dóchas’ strategic plan and the execution of the annual work plan.
- Monitor the external environment within which Dóchas members operate, adapt planning where needed, and advise the Board on the impact of external changes.
- Work closely with the Board of Directors and its sub-committees to ensure effective governance, statutory compliance, and risk management.
- Provide timely and accurate reporting to the Board on strategy, performance, risk, and impact.
Relationship Management & Representation
- Lead efforts to ensure effective policy dialogue with Irish Aid, EU institutions, and relevant government structures.
- Represent members’ policy issues to key stakeholders, including Oireachtas members, decision-makers, civil society, academic institutions, media, and international networks.
- Develop, and build on, relationships with key stakeholders including networks, institutions, and organisations established during the EU Presidency.
Network & Membership Engagement
- Maintain an active, collaborative network for members to share learning, build consensus, and address shared sector challenges.
- Ensure Dóchas priorities reflect members’ needs and interests, adapting planning as needed.
- Strengthen Dóchas’ profile through member and public communications.
- Drive support and engagement with Worldview to build public awareness of international development.
Team Leadership
- Provide clear direction, support, and motivation to the team, keeping morale high and fostering an open, inclusive culture.
- Oversee day-to-day operations, workload balance, internal systems, and staff well-being.
Finance, Risk & Operational Management
- Manage finances, budgets, and funding relationships with the Irish Government, European Commission, and private donors.
- Oversee financial health and sustainability, including budgeting, forecasting, financial controls, and resource stewardship.
- Deliver sustainable income growth through diversified funding streams while maintaining strong, transparent relationships with funders (Irish Aid, European Commission, and other donors).
- Ensure compliance with key operational milestones, including the annual financial audit, interim reporting for the European Commission, and the evaluation of the Irish Presidency.
3. Relevant Background and Experience
- Substantial senior management or CEO experience in the development, humanitarian, or non-profit sector.
- Proven external representation at the highest levels (e.g., in political, media, sectoral, governmental, and EU fora).
- Proven track record in strategy implementation, operational planning, prioritisation and delivering results.
- Demonstrated ability in effective team management and executive leadership.
- Experience in a network-based context, in a position where extensive coordination and consensus-building were prerequisites for success.
Skills
- Excellent leadership abilities with highly developed interpersonal and listening skills.
- Strong skills in relationship-building and influencing.
- Networking: Enthusiastic, curious, and adept at building personal rapport with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Agile mindset with strong decision-making skills.
- Creative, innovative, and analytical skills, with an ability to think laterally to identify new opportunities quickly.
- Fosters a friendly, supportive, flexible, and motivating work environment.
- Strong professional management skillset.
4. Terms & Conditions
- Salary Band: €80-€85k commensurate with experience
- Nature of Contract: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Normal office hours are 09:00–17:00, including a one-hour paid lunch break.
- Holidays: 25 days annual leave, plus Good Friday and a half-day on Christmas Eve.
- Hybrid Policy: Core 2–3 days in the Dublin office, with flexibility for events/key meetings on other days.
- Pension: Contributory pension (Employer contribution between 7-10%)
The successful candidate will be expected to work in person (as needed) on non-core days.
Applications should be submitted by email to sarah@dochas.ie, including a CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.