Chief Executive Officer

• Are you ready to lead one of Australia’s most progressive feminist organisations?
• Are you committed to driving systemic change in the Asia Pacific region?
• Melbourne based (with regular national and international travel)

Founded in 1985, IWDA is a leading international NGO, based in Melbourne. We were founded 30 years ago by Australian women working in international development who were tired of seeing the missed potential through lack of participation of women and girls. Since then we’ve worked with over 200 organisations in 38 countries. Our focus today is on seeing systemic change for women and girls, working predominately with partners across the Asia Pacific region.
The problems women face in our region are not simply about poverty – at the core, social-cultural barriers centre around many of the same issues that continue to challenge us all in the fight for gender equality.
To ensure women can contribute fully in society, they must be able to influence policy, resource allocation and play leading roles in their communities. With our local partners, we co-develop and implement practical initiatives that address gender inequality and women’s rights at multiple levels in countries across the Asia Pacific region. IWDA is also dedicated to research and its practical applications and we lead a globally respected research program.
IWDA is looking for an exceptional woman to lead the organisation into the future as our new CEO.
Working alongside a progressive board and staff, the CEO will be a woman with exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with a commitment to a feminist approach in leading the agency. She will continue to build IWDA’s reputation as a global authority as well as deliver strong fiscal management in a dynamic, complex operating environment.
Women wishing to be considered would need attributes including:
• Proven visionary leadership and the ability to guide future development and growth of the organisation
• Exceptional communication and relationship building skills and the ability to work with and influence a wide range of stakeholders including civil society organisations and governments
• Strong people focus and high level of comfort living the organisation’s values: feminist, accountable, collaborative and transformative
• International affairs skills/experience, ideally with lived experience preferably in the Asia Pacific region

IWDA has an EEO exemption (A195/2012) and will consider applications from women only.
For a copy of the position description email opportunity@kathleentownsend.com.au
For more information on IWDA go to www.iwda.org.au
Applications close 9am Monday 9th October.