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Partnership for Transparency Seeks A New President 

May 30, 2024

PTF, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is seeking a President. Given the range of PTF’s activities and the increasing challenges of countering corruption and supporting civil society organizations across middle-and low-income countries, PTF intends to recruit a full-time, remunerated chief executive, who will report to its Board of Directors. The deadline for applications is June 24, 2024.

POSITION SUMMARY

PTF has been guided throughout its history by a part-time, volunteer President, bolstered by a dedicated volunteer management team overseeing various responsibilities such as programs, finance, knowledge management, advocacy and administration. To expand the program and increase its impact, the PTF Board has authorized the search for a dedicated, full-time paid President.

The President will be responsible for strategic leadership, program development and expansion and the focus on results and impact.  A significant part of the role will be to mobilize additional operational and project funding, diversify funding instruments and sources and build strong partnerships and relationships with stakeholders. The President will be responsible for attracting and encouraging a diverse staff and volunteer cohort. He/she will represent the PTF to the broader good governance community, using various communications tools, participating in external events and enhancing the PTF brand.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

 The President will be expected to carry out the following responsibilities:

• Strategic vision, mission and goals: In collaboration with the board, ensure that the PTF has a clearly articulated vision, mission, goals and values.
• Leadership: Carry out and update the strategy and business plans as appropriate, apply performance measurements to monitor achievement of goals; promote innovation
• Fundraising: Explore opportunities to increase funding for both general operations and projects; strengthen relationships with current funders and cultivate new opportunities with multilateral and bilateral agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals; deploy multiple approaches to fundraising including non-traditional sources; enhance the annual fundraising results from the World Bank Community Connections campaign
• Portfolio Management: Oversee the portfolio of projects, grants, knowledge products, contracts and other deliverables; ensure the requisite quality of PTF products; budget management; auditing and accounting.
• Promoting a collective PTF team: Promote collaboration and communication among PTF offices and volunteers in Europe, Africa, South Asia, and East Asia.
• Communications: Serve as principal spokesperson for the PTF, engaging with the broad PTF constituency through a wide range of in-person and virtual communications channels. Ensure messaging is compelling and engaging to different audiences.
• Staff and volunteers. Ensure that the PTF staff and volunteers are fully engaged, motivated, encouraged and reflect the PTF’s commitment to excellence, diversity, equity, inclusion and mutual respect and collegiality.
• Working with the Board: The President will report to the Board and liaise on strategy, program implementation, resources, financial management, results and support the Board as needed. Assist in the recruitment of new Board members. Provide regular reporting on program, organizational and financial issues.
• Compliance: Make best efforts to ensure the PTF abides by the laws of the US and other countries where it operates, and its by-laws reflect best practice.

Given the strong volunteer PTF management legacy, the President will delegate whatever functions they feel are appropriate to the management team. Agreement on those areas to be delegated will be spelled out in the terms of engagement. Whatever functions are delegated, the President may be expected to have some involvement in their activities. The President may recommend to the Board changes in the management arrangements.

PRIORITIES

Within the full range of PTF activities there are three areas warranting special attention: fundraising, communications and refreshing the volunteer community.

Fundraising. The PTF has traditionally relied on international financial institutions and bilateral donor agencies for project funding. While it is important to maintain and strengthen relationships with current funders, the PTF must reach out to potential new donors (foundations, corporations, individuals) and explore non-traditional funding opportunities. Obtaining unrestricted funds should be a priority. The current process for monitoring calls for proposals, deciding which to pursue and drafting responses should be strengthened. The annual fundraising program through the World Bank Community Connections Campaign, which covers the PTF’s principal operating budget needs refreshing.

Communications. There are three broad areas that warrant priority attention—advocacy, networking, and messaging. The PTF is leading an international effort to increase the engagement of citizens in the programs and policies of the World Bank Group. This long-term effort needs to be maintained. Networking is an essential function of the PTF, both with non-profit organizations working on issues of accountability and transparency and with CSO partners for sharing knowledge and experience. The PTF needs to revitalize its messaging effort, with an improved website, social media events, blogs and seminars. The President will serve as a representative and advocate at events and conferences to raise the PTF’s visibility and profile. 

Refreshing the Volunteer Community. The work of the PTF is carried out essentially by a volunteer community of about 50 experienced development specialists, many retirees from IFIs, bilateral aid agencies and the private sector. There is a need to refresh and replenish the cohort over time with a younger, diverse cadre of specialists with the skills needed for the critical issues of the day.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND QUALITIES

• Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent in business management, public policy or in a field relevant to the assignment areas.
• Leadership: Minimum of 7 years of managerial and supervisory responsibility in development and/or anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability, working with multi-disciplinary and geographically dispersed teams, preferably comprising volunteers.
• Passion for the PTF mission: Commitment to civil society-led approaches to strengthen transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption in developing countries.
• Fundraising acumen: Success in senior-level fundraising efforts, including strategizing and securing support through partnerships and a variety of fundraising instruments.
• Powerful storyteller: Passionate and effective articulation of vision and work.
• Skilled motivator
• Diversity: Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with people and organizations from diverse cultural, social, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. It is also important to be familiar with the current issues of gender equality.
• Builds consensus: Leads with compassion and empathy.
• Excellent written and communication skills

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The selected candidate will be offered an annual salary of up to $120,000. Annual leave will be three weeks in the first full year, rising to four weeks in the second year. The initial contract is for two years. In addition, there will be a contribution to medical insurance, there is provision for sick leave, and funding for travel will be provided by the PTF.

LOCATION

The selected candidate is expected to work from the PTF Washington, D.C. headquarters. The number of days in the office or remotely to be agreed, and the amount of travel to be agreed as well.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this opportunity please submit your resume and a brief cover letter articulating your relevant experience and interest in this position.

Please send these two documents to the PTF Program Manager Stephani Gutierrez at: sgutierrez@ptfund.org. The deadline for submission is June 24, 2024.