At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support Project Yananai's growth, ensuring strategic goals are met and organisational resilience is built.
- Company: Join a global non-profit dedicated to empowering communities and delivering humanitarian aid.
- Benefits: Remote work, international travel, and the chance to develop your executive leadership skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and breaking cycles of poverty.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing organisation focused on community-led development and sustainable change.
- Qualifications: 10-15+ years in senior leadership, strong governance knowledge, and exceptional communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 85500 - 104500 £ per year.
About Project Yananai
Project Yananai is a global non-profit headquartered in the United Kingdom, with Affiliate Entities and Management Teams in India, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals and communities by fostering enduring relationships, enhancing sustainable skills, and delivering compassionate humanitarian aid. Project Yananai is entering an exciting phase of growth.
We are now seeking an exceptional Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) to join our Global Executive Leadership Team and work in close partnership with the CEO. This is a newly created role for a senior leader who can operate comfortably at both strategic and operational levels — someone who can help turn ambition into execution, bring clarity across a growing organisation and provide confident leadership when the CEO is unavailable.
You will be a trusted partner to the CEO, a strategic integrator across the executive team and an ambassador for Project Yananai externally. As DCEO, you will provide the leadership capacity and organisational resilience needed to support Project Yananai through its next stage of development. You will partner with the CEO to translate our Strategic Growth and Impact Plan into clear priorities, ensure that those priorities are delivered across the organisation and help connect our executive functions around shared goals.
When required, you will step into the CEO's responsibilities, providing continuity of leadership and representing the organisation with confidence to donors, partners, government bodies, media and other key stakeholders. This is an opportunity to have genuine organisational influence at a pivotal moment — helping shape how a growing international non-profit operates, leads and delivers impact.
- Act as the CEO's senior deputy and assume executive responsibility during periods of absence, including strategic decision-making, external representation, oversight of programmes, finance and compliance, and leadership of the Global Executive Leadership Team.
- Work alongside the CEO to translate organisational vision into practical priorities, milestones and actions — ensuring that strategic commitments become measurable results.
- Drive alignment across the executive leadership team, working across Advancement, People & Governance, Finance, Mission Operations and Communications to remove silos and ensure teams are working towards common objectives.
- Monitor organisational performance against KPIs and strategic objectives, identify bottlenecks and risks, and help ensure that plans are delivered effectively, on time and within budget.
- Represent Project Yananai with major donors, partners, government stakeholders and other external audiences. Build trusted relationships that strengthen our mission, reputation and fundraising potential.
- Work alongside the Chief People & Governance Officer and Global General Counsel to support strong governance, risk management and compliance across our international operations.
- Help create a culture of collaboration, accountability and innovation. Mentor senior leaders, support succession planning and champion diversity, equity and inclusion across the organisation.
We are looking for a seasoned executive, rather than simply an experienced functional leader. You will ideally bring 10–15+ years of senior leadership experience within the non-profit, international development or humanitarian sector, together with a track record of leading organisations through growth, transformation or complexity. Experience operating at executive or enterprise leadership level. A proven ability to deputise for a CEO or assume full executive responsibility when required. A sophisticated understanding of governance, risk and compliance within an international non-profit environment. Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience overseeing budgets of £5m+. Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills. The emotional intelligence and resilience to lead through uncertainty, change and organisational growth. Experience with French, Portuguese or relevant local languages would be advantageous.
The leadership qualities that matter: Most importantly, you will have a genuine commitment to community-led development, breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting peace and prosperity, together with alignment with Project Yananai's values and mission. A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree such as an MBA, MPA, MPhil or equivalent is desirable.
Why Project Yananai? You will help build it! You will join at a pivotal stage in Project Yananai's development, working directly with the CEO, Global Executive Leadership Team and Board to strengthen the organisation and prepare it for its next phase of growth. Influence the development of a growing executive leadership team. Represent Project Yananai with significant external stakeholders. Strengthen organisational resilience, governance and performance. Work remotely with international travel as required. Develop your own executive leadership experience within a growing global organisation.
Project Yananai is an equal opportunity organisation. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) employer: Project Yananai
Project Yananai is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a meaningful impact on global communities. With a focus on fostering relationships and developing sustainable skills, employees will enjoy a collaborative work culture that values innovation and inclusivity. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape the UK operations of a dynamic non-profit, with significant autonomy and the potential for future growth within the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Project Yananai.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Project Yananai.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Project Yananai.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Project Yananai. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Project Yananai. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Project Yananai
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Project Yananai. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
