Chief Executive Officernew

The position is open to qualified individuals with experience working in Southern and Eastern Africa. The successful candidate will be expected to work from the REPSSI Head Quarters in Randburg, South Africa.

REPSSI (the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative) is a renowned pan African organisation that has been supporting governments and non-governmental organisations to provide holistic psychosocial care and support to children and their families in East and Southern Africa for 20 years now. REPSSI works in 13 countries and aims to enhance the psychosocial and mental wellbeing of girls, boys, youth their families and communities to be able to respond to challenges such as HIV and AIDS, conflict, poverty, climate change, environmental disasters and social strife.

The 2026- 2030 strategy is anchored in five SMART outcomes that reflect our intent to deliver mental health and psychosocial wellbeing at scale, with integrity and impact;

• We will mobilize at least $35 million in diversified funding to sustain and scale our work across 13 countries, with 60% of new resources aligned to our strategic priorities and community partners.
• We will generate and disseminate 20 high-quality evidence products—including regional studies, policy briefs, and practice guides—that influence MHPSS policy and programming across East and Southern Africa.
• We will ensure that 90% of our direct service delivery meets or exceeds quality benchmarks, as defined by our regional MERL standards and validated through community feedback and independent surveys and evaluations.
• We will strengthen the capacity of 250 local organizations and government systems to deliver integrated, gender-responsive MHPSS services, with at least 50% of these led by youth, women, or marginalized groups and key populations.
• We will embed psychosocial wellbeing into 10 regional and national policy frameworks, positioning MHPSS as a core pillar of social protection, education, and climate resilience.

Job Summary

REPSSI seeks to appoint an experienced and vibrant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will provide over-arching inspirational leadership to a dynamic organization operating in a fast paced, highly competitive environment with a national, regional and international footprint. Together with the Board, the CEO assures REPSSI’s relevance to the community, the accomplishment of REPSSI’s mission and vision, and the accountability of REPSSI to its diverse constituents. To thrive as a CEO, you must be a prudent manager and inspiring leader with business acumen who will take bold actions to enhance REPSSI’s global standing as the leading African psychosocial support advocate and provider of technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Executive Leadership

Provide visionary strategic leadership, develop, review and ensure effective implementation of the strategic plan for REPSSI to maintain its cutting edge in a competitive market; guide business plans for the REPSSI programmes; ensure effective management of REPSSI’s executive team and day-to-day operations.

Strategic stakeholder management

Maintain good relations with current development partners at national, regional and international levels; identify potential / new strategic partners and opportunities; and ensure active and meaningful contribution to strategic partnerships. Lead in ensuring expansion of REPSSI’s reputation and brand through innovative communication mechanisms.

Resource mobilization

Engage in aggressive resource mobilization with traditional and non-traditional partners, securing new and additional resources and maximising existing resources.

Financial sustainability

Oversee the development and effective management of annual budgets; ensure proper control over expenditure and report accordingly; complete risk analysis on potential investments and advise the Board of Directors with regard to investment risk and return; ensure compliance with all audit requirements; sustain an unqualified audit opinion.

Research and innovation

Provide strategic and thought leadership on REPSSI’s key competencies and its role appropriately internally and externally.

Programme development, delivery and training

Lead and assure programme quality through development of bold programme elements to respond to new research and opportunities; and organizational stability through implementation of standards and controls, systems and procedures, with regular evaluation.

Human resources and transformation

Motivates and leads a high performance management team dispersed in thirteen African countries, and provides mentoring as a cornerstone to career development for the team.

Board Secretariat and Support

Provide timely and reliable reports and information to the board and members.

Assist the Board exercise its oversight responsibilities and fiduciary duties.

Essential Skills and Personality Traits:

• Strategic leadership and financial management experience
• In-depth knowledge of corporate governance and general management practice
• An entrepreneurial mindset with excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
• Must thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, and challenging programme environment
• Ability to set ambitious targets and drive to exceed them
• Ability to work outside of conventional office hours, and across time zones
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Support and Mental Health in Africa
• Strong ethical and governance leadership

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• Masters degree in Social Sciences or Management or relevant field
• 8 years of experience in a senior leadership position in a relevant field
• 10 years overall relevant professional experience
• Management experience of a global or multi branch organization preferred
• Significant resource mobilisation and advocacy experience (not negotiable)
• Willingness to travel – the position requires up to 50% travel regionally/internationally

This is a 5-year contract position subject to availability of donor funding and good performance.

Remuneration will be commensurate with skills and experience. REPSSI is committed to the principles of employment equity.