Join our team!

About the job

• Are you a nonprofit leader with expertise in international development, especially related to Africa, who has guided an organization through a period of growth?

• Do you enjoy building relationships externally while also mentoring and empowering the staff?

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!

PNP Staffing Group is excited to have been retained by Water for South Sudan to lead their search for an Executive Director.

About Water for South Sudan

Water for South Sudan (WFSS) is a US, 501c3 non-profit organization, based in Rochester, NY, dedicated to providing access to clean and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene programs (WASH) for communities in South Sudan. Through the construction of boreholes, trainings for sustainable water management practices, and implementation of community-led initiatives, WFSS is improving the health and livelihoods of thousands of people in one of the world’s most challenging environments. The organization is deeply committed to long-term community sustainability.

Summary of the Role

The ED of Water for South Sudan is a dynamic and visionary leader responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, coordinating with the operations leadership team based in South Sudan, and ensuring the organization’s mission and goals are achieved through fundraising and stewardship activities. The ED will lead a passionate team in South Sudan and globally, ensuring the organization continues to make a significant impact in improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for vulnerable populations. The ED will work closely with the Board of Directors, the Water for South Sudan Foundation’s local and international stakeholders, and the South Sudanese communities served by the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provide visionary leadership to WFSS, ensuring alignment with its mission and values.

• Contribute to the development and execution of a strategic plan to expand access to clean water and improve the health outcomes of communities in South Sudan.

• Ensure thoughtful and sustainable organizational growth, operational excellence, and accountability at all levels of the organization.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and transparency among the staff and Board of Directors.

Fundraising

• Create strategic fundraising and communications plans to diversify revenue streams by building new and stewarding existing relationships with foundations and major donors.

• Supported by the Director of Development, lead all fundraising initiatives to secure ongoing financial support for the organization.

• Deepen donor engagement through tailored and consistent cultivation, stewardship, and care.

• Lead our communications to share our stories of impact and create a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Program Development, Implementation, and Monitoring

• Oversee the operations teams to ensure programs are delivered efficiently and meet the needs of the community.

• Oversee the monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework to track the effectiveness and impact of WFSS’s programs.

• Ensure robust reporting and data collection systems to provide transparent and accurate updates to stakeholders, donors, and partners.

Team Management & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing senior management team and staff, fostering an inclusive, supportive, and results-oriented work environment.

• Supervise bookkeeping, payroll, and maintenance of all financial records; oversee leases and needed insurances; conduct Annual Performance Reviews for all direct reports.

• Promote professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills and performance.

• Ensure organizational policies, practices, and systems are aligned with best practices and compliant with local and international laws and standards.

Financial Stewardship

• Work with the Board and the senior management team to ensure financial sustainability and accountability, managing resources effectively to maximize impact.

• Develop and manage the annual budget and ensure adherence to financial policies and standards.

• Prepare agendas and reports for all Executive & Finance Committee and Board meetings.

• Serve as ex-officio member of the Executive & Finance Committee, Budget, Development, and Strategic Planning committees, and others as needed.

Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations

• Represent WFSS at key events, meetings, and conferences, advocating for the critical need for clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in South Sudan.

• Strengthen partnerships with international NGOs, governmental and intergovernmental bodies, businesses, and local organizations to maximize the organization’s reach and impact.

• Cultivate relationships with local communities, leaders, and partners to ensure projects are relevant, culturally appropriate, and sustainable.

• Participate in professional, governmental, and civic organizations and forums to stay current in areas such as WASH and East African politics.

Qualifications

Experience

• 10+ years in senior leadership positions in the non-profit or international development sector, ideally with a focus on water, sanitation, and/or public health.

• Strong track record in managing and scaling humanitarian or development programs, especially in challenging environments like South Sudan.

• Experience in fundraising and donor relationship management, with a proven ability to secure significant funding from a variety of sources, particularly private foundations.

Education

• A relevant graduate degree (e.g., Public Administration, International Development, Business, Public Health, Organizational Management, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field) or the equivalent experience is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

• Excellent financial management acumen, including budget preparation, financial forecasting, and resource allocation.

• Solid organizational skills, including planning, delegating, balancing competing priorities.

• Exceptional interpersonal, cross-cultural communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build consensus.

• Experience managing and mentoring teams remotely.

• Ability to work in high-pressure environments and make decisions in rapidly changing situations.

• Knowledge of the political, cultural, and social dynamics of South Sudan and the region.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary with a passion for humanitarian work and a deep commitment to Water for South Sudan’s mission.

• Ability to lead with empathy, emotional intelligence, and cultural sensitivity.

• Resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in environments of uncertainty and change.

• Strong sense of integrity and accountability.

• An appreciation for the importance of local knowledge and empowerment.

Compensation and Other Information

• Salary: $100,000+

• Comprehensive benefits including health insurance and retirement

• Location: Rochester, NY

• Schedule: Hybrid, open to flexible arrangements; will assist with relocation to NY State

• Travel = 20-30% of time including internationally and at least yearly to South Sudan

• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Water for South Sudan is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

PNP Staffing Group has been retained to lead this search. Please send resume and cover letter via LinkedIn to Wade Savitt, Executive Recruiter.

Location: Remote- Florida or New York only or in-person in Rochester, NY.

Hours: 12-15 hours per week 

This part-time role could grow into full-time employment based on measured success and commitment to our team.

Water for South Sudan (WFSS) delivers direct, transformative and sustainable quality-of-life service to the people of South Sudan by efficiently providing access to clean, safe water and improving hygiene and sanitation practices in areas of great need. The US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was founded in Rochester, NY, in 2003 by former "Lost Boy" of Sudan Salva Dut.

Our US office in Rochester, NY, manages the organization’s administration and fundraising and works closely with our Operations Team in South Sudan. We are seeking a creative and strategic Digital Marketing Coordinator to help amplify our online presence, engage our community, and advance our mission through impactful digital media strategies. This role is ideal for an individual passionate about storytelling, digital marketing, and creating a positive social impact.

The Digital Marketing Coordinator reports directly to the Communications and Outreach Junior Manager. 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Digital Marketing Coordinator:

• Develop and curate engaging and relevant content for social media and Google Ads optimization.

• Develop marketing strategies that boost engagement, mobilize revenue generation, and increase brand awareness.

• Ensure all content aligns with our organization's brand, tone, voice, and visual identity to effectively communicate our mission, strengthen brand recognition, and build audience trust.

• Utilize a content calendar and social media management tools to plan and schedule posts, ensuring a consistent posting schedule.

• Monitor our social media channels for comments, messages, and mentions, responding promptly and professionally to build positive relationships and foster engagement with our followers.

• Track social media analytics and key performance metrics regularly to measure campaign performance and make data-driven content improvements.

• Stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends and platform features, implementing new strategies to keep our social media presence fresh, relevant, and effective.

• All other duties as assigned.

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related field is required.

Experience:

The successful candidate should have experience or knowledge in the following areas:

• 1+ years of relevant experience required, preferably for a non-profit organization.

• Social media management and graphic design experience is required.

• Proficiency in Meta Ads and Google Ads.

• Proficiency in using social media platforms and analytics tools, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Google Analytics. 

• Strong proofreading and copyediting skills for content accuracy.

• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, and Gmail is required.

• Proficiency in Canva is a plus.

• Experience in Sprout Social is a plus.

• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.

• A deep respect for our organization’s mission and values.

Compensation: $22-25/hr, based on experience

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and samples of work or a portfolio by emailing Adriana Mancini, Communications & Outreach Junior Manager, at adriana.mancini@waterforsouthsudan.org