THE
JANE GOODALL INSTITUTE
For Wildlife Research, Education, and Conservation
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT
Position Specification
This position is viewed as key to the next phase of growth in the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI). A dynamic senior leadership team directs the organization along with Jane Goodall herself. The goal of leadership is to solidify the position of JGI among the country’s top tier of conservation and education organizations known for their public policy positions, scientific research, respect for local communities, youth involvement, and overall effectiveness.
Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute builds on Dr. Goodall’s pioneering research on chimpanzee behavior at the Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania in the early 1960’s—research which transformed scientific perceptions of the relationship between humans and animals. Today, the Institute is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats as well as research in primate behavior. It also is widely recognized for establishing innovative community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa, and the Roots & Shoots education program. Roots & Shoots, with more than 8,000 groups in over 95 countries, plans and implements community service projects for students K—college-age, on behalf of animals, the environment, and the human community.
JGI is growing rapidly. In 2002 its budget was $4 million; it is now $15 million. A well-rounded senior leadership team promotes JGI’s growth and expansion.
JGI’s president and chief executive officer, Bill Johnston, has served in the public and not-for-profit sectors most of his career. He was director of the Conservation Campaign, an organization affiliated with the Trust for Public Land and dedicated to promoting public funding for U.S. parks and open space. He served in the Carter administration as Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Policy and also a member of the White House policy staff.
Robb Menzi, JGI’s chief financial officer and executive vice president, brings corporate finance and operations experience to the group. Early in his career, Robb was a Peace Corps volunteer and program director at the National Institute of Public Administration in the Yemen Arab Republic. He also holds a M.A. degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.
Keith Brown, executive vice president for Africa programs, combines 28 years of experience in Africa and Washington and has expertise in the bushmeat trade, international development, social and economic development in Africa, the status of chimpanzees and other great apes in the world, and “what works” in conservation contexts in Africa. He oversees JGI’s Africa Programs.
For more information on the people and programs of the Jane
Goodall Institute, please visit
www.janegoodall.org
The Situation
The fundraising and communications departments of the Jane Goodall Institute need strong organizational management and strategic leadership. JGI has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, and the external relations function needs to be evaluated in light of current and projected growth.
In fundraising, the success of the direct mail and government grant programs need to be matched by comprehensive planned giving, private foundation and major gifts programs. The organization depends heavily upon its founder to provide links to current and potential donors; nurturing these relationships and building new ones is critical to a successful fundraising strategy. Leadership is required to aid the fundraising efforts and the Board needs to take a more active role in development.
Similarly, aspects within the Institute’s communication
strategy need evaluation. Among the areas to be addressed are building the JGI
brand, media and public relations, and message coordination with fundraising and
public programs. Creating a for-profit entity with licensing and merchandising
capabilities is also being explored.
Attractions
§ There is a great deal of enthusiasm for the mission of the organization among the staff. JGI values combine conservation with concern for the well-being of people and local communities in Africa. The organization addresses issues in an intelligent way by finding common ground with all stakeholders to get something done.
§ Working directly with Jane Goodall is a pleasure.
§ The work JGI does with young people through Roots & Shoots is important and inspiring.
§ This is an opportunity to make a contribution to an important research agenda, which bridges several conservation and environmental issues.
§ There is room in this young, entrepreneurial organization for someone to make his/her mark and be creative.
§ The senior leadership team, led by Bill Johnston, is excellent.
§ The work atmosphere is collegial and relaxed, yet everyone works very hard.
Critical Issues
§ JGI is relatively new and small among other environmental and conservation organizations.
§ Fundraising and communications need to be integrated with a strategic plan to serve the organization better.
§ The leadership is aware that they must solidify JGI’s position so that it continues to thrive beyond the life of its famous founder.
The Position
Reports to: CEO, Bill Johnston, in parallel with CFO/EVP, and vice presidents responsible for Africa Programs, Office of the Founder, Roots & Shoots, and Public Policy.
Works closely with: Dr. Jane Goodall
Supervises: Staff of 15 including, vice president of communications and vice president of major gifts and planned giving, director of corporate/foundation relations, director of membership, director of special events, and vendors and consultants.
Major Responsibilities:
Ø Lead the development department of a rapidly expanding $15 million organization dedicated to saving Africa’s rain forest and building a worldwide network of young leaders.
Ø Oversee the full range of development activities, including a $2 + million direct mail program, data base management for 45,000 + members, a grant writing team, rapidly growing major gifts and planned giving programs, and an intense event schedule.
Ø Help build a strategic communications plan.
Ø Professionalize the development team in a growth status. There will be 50% more people in development in 2008.
Ø Resolve the issue of, “Jane is an icon but JGI is unknown.”
Ø Include four strategic objectives in development and communications:
v Work in partnership with local communities to establish sustainable livelihoods and help save Great Apes and their habitat.
v Advance the global understanding of Great Apes through research.
v Provide excellent care to orphan chimpanzees in sanctuaries, while educating sanctuary visitors about the plight of Great Apes.
v Increase public awareness and education regarding habitat destruction and the plight of Great Apes.
Qualifications
The Ideal Candidate Should Have:
§ The ability to lead and inspire staff, even under trying circumstances.
§ The ability to manage the short term challenges inherent in rapid levels of growth, while making strategic, long-term investment decisions designed to institutionalize and capitalize on the fundraising success of recent years.
§ Experience in maximizing returns across the full array of development tools.
§ Strong strategic planning, budgeting, and presentation skills.
§ The ability to design and implement communications strategies that support development goals.
§ Personal skills that fit with a relaxed, collegial senior staff. A good sense of humor would be an added plus.
§ A flexible approach and style to deal with changing situations.
§ The willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
§ Strong belief in the mission of the Jane Goodall Institute.
The Ideal Candidate Should Be:
§ An effective team leader and play a high strategic role.
§ A consensus builder before moving forward.
§ Able to supervise, train, and inspire staff; to include scheduling work assignments, organizing resources, and establishing priorities. Must have employee development and performance management skills.
§ Skilled in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
§ An interdisciplinary thinker.
Candidates and sources, please communicate with:
Bob Sellery or Katie Wilson, Robert Sellery Associates, Ltd.
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036.
Email: wilson@sellery.com,
sellery@sellery.com
Telephone: 202.331.0090
FAX: 202.772.3101
All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence.
R
OBERT SELLERY ASSOCIATES, LTD.
