Want to help save rhinos? We’re hiring!

Want to help save rhinos? The IRF seeks to recruit a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as Deputy Director of a vibrant, global, wildlife conservation organization based in Strasburg, VA. The position description and instructions to interested candidates is listed below.

International Rhino Foundation
Deputy Director

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) seeks to recruit a dynamic and innovative leader to serve as Deputy Director of a vibrant, global, wildlife conservation organization based in Strasburg, Virginia.

About the International Rhino Foundation
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) works to ensure the survival of the world’s rhino species through conservation and research. Founded in response to intense poaching of Zimbabwe’s black rhinos in the early 1990s, IRF’s commitment helped to reduce the threat and stabilize the population. To this day, IRF-supported conservation programs in Zimbabwe have secured 90% of the country’s rhinos. In five countries across two continents, IRF supports viable populations of the five remaining rhino species and the communities that coexist with them.

Throughout its 24-year history, IRF has funded and managed rhino conservation projects in Asia and Africa. IRF is governed by a 16-person Board of Directors, which meets once a year. IRF’s Annual budget is approximately $3.5 million and there are nine professional employees. IRF carries out most of its work with trusted partners in range countries, which allows it to remain lean. In 2014, 93% of IRF’s financial contributions went directly to field programs. The IRF has close ties to the zoo community, which generously supports much of its work. IRF’s core values of hard work, partnership, passion, and optimism are at the heart of everything the organization does.

For more information on the International Rhino Foundation, please visit www.rhinos.org.

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Deputy Director
IRF is at a point in its evolution as a science-based wildlife conservation organization to scale its leadership and  programmatic impact in Asia and Africa. The Deputy Director will be a leader who inspires the organization to further engage in a deeply worthwhile mission. The Deputy Director will possess the skills to continue developing and leading the organization’s strategic direction and to greatly enhance IRF’s fund raising resources. The Deputy Director will be skilled in leading an organization that also relies upon its volunteer leaders and science-based communication strategies to advance critical policy, programmatic and fundraising objectives.

The Deputy Director will work in partnership with the Executive Director, providing critical oversight of IRF’s financial and operational infrastructure. Working closely with the Development Director, the Deputy Director will help usher forward strategies and approaches to improve stewardship of current donors, including zoos and other corporate partners. The Deputy Director will work closely with IRF’s Executive Director to strengthen existing IRF conservation programs and strategy in Africa and Asia. The successful candidate must be able to travel to field sites in Asia and Africa as well as to meet with donors and partners in the United States. The ideal candidate is a results-oriented, entrepreneurial individual who will thrive in a hands-on, scrappy and creative global enterprise.

The broad objectives for the Deputy Director are as follows:

• To provide leadership in evolving and implementing IRF’s organizational and strategic priorities.
• To support the development of a vibrant future by continuing to cultivate, expand and make the best use of IRF’s Board and staff.
• To continue to expand the financial base of IRF, pursuing philanthropic funding sources and other creative sources of revenue for the organization.
• To retain, attract and manage a team of professional staff who possess the capacity to fulfill the organization’s mission.
• To expand the reach, influence and public recognition of IRF as a trusted science-based conservation organization.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The Deputy Director should ideally possess the following professional qualifications and
personal attributes:

Professional Qualifications:

• A capacity to lead, inspire and mobilize people — particularly Board, staff, donors and
  others — in advancing the vision of a vibrant, science-based wildlife conservation
  enterprise.
• Engaging public speaking style and experience in dealing with media/press relations.
• A management style that is goal oriented and flexible; that respects the capabilities and
  independence of staff and volunteers alike, and provides them with a clear sense of
  direction.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and administering a comprehensive fundraising
  program including individual donor, corporate and foundation solicitation, capital
  campaign activities, and other revenue-generating programs.
• Experience building effective networks, partnerships, and/or coalitions.
• Strong grant writing and grant management experience.
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience working with field-based teams in Africa, Asia and, particularly, Indonesia.This includes the ability to work sensitively across cultures, with varied partners, to achieve mutual conservation goals.
• The highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards.
• Strong work ethic and willingness to travel extensively, often for weekend and evening
  engagements.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate commitment to the values and mission of IRF and a demonstrated conservation ethic.
• Ability to inspire trust, lead and facilitate with strong interpersonal skills and move from ideas to action.
• Team builder and an individual committed to collaboration and partnership development.
• Experience working successfully with a broad range of people, cultures and disciplines.
• A superb professional and personal presence.
• Ability to think strategically, tactically and creatively.
• Visionary, articulate, and diplomatic.
• A healthy sense of humor.

Compensation
Compensation for the Deputy Director includes a base salary and employee benefits.

How to Apply
Interested candidates should email a cover letter explaining how their skills and background fit this position and a resume to: Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company at resumes@explorecompany.com. Refer to IRF/DD in the subject line. No phone inquiries please.

The International Rhino Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All correspondence will remain confidential.