Gender Links, a dynamic 25-year-old Southern African Women’s Rights Organisation based in Johannesburg, committed to an inclusive, equal and just society for women and girls in all their diversity, invites Expressions of Interest for an experienced, highly committed woman to serve as Chair of the Regional Board. Expressions of interest should be submitted here by the 20 November 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, conducted by a Search Committee established for this purpose.
Skills and experience
- A leader with a track record of promoting women’s rights, feminist agendas and gender justice.
- A national of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) country, preferably based in South Africa, who subscribes to GL’s vision
- Excellent leadership, verbal and written skills
- The ability to grow and nurture a new generation of executive leaders in a complex multi-cultural environment.
- Excellent organisational background, understanding and skills.
- Experience with change management.
- Track record of innovation.
- Experience of governance and board leadership
- Experience of working with donors and fund raising will be an advantage.
Expectations
- The term of office is three years, renewable three times (nine years in total).
- The Executive Committee meets virtually four times a year.
- The Board meets twice a year, normally in August and March.
- The Chairperson has a permanent invitation to attend country board meetings (there are presently five) and committee meetings but is not expected to attend these on a routine basis.
- The likely time commitment is up to half a day a week, with some periods of more intense activity around Board and Executive Committee meetings.
GL Board members serve pro bono and are reimbursed for any expenses incurred. The Chairperson may receive a modest honorarium consistent with GL’s MOI.
Anticipated tasks
- Chair meetings of the Regional Board and the Executive Committee to ensure good governance, fiduciary responsibility, strategic oversight and timely decision-making.
- Keep an overview of GL to ensure country boards and their operations plus the regional team are aligned with the GL mission and strategy.
- Represent GL as needed in occasional stakeholder/funder meetings.
- Hold accountable the senior leadership of GL and provide guidance and support as needed.
- Maintain an overview of the sustainability of GL to ensure it is on a sound financial footing with appropriate succession planning.
- Act as an ambassador for GL, promoting its mission and work.
Context
Registered in 2001 as a Company not for Profit under the South African Companies Act, GL’s apex decision making body is the Association, that appoints the Board, including the Board Chair. Since 2023, GL has undertaken an ambitious decentralisation plan, registering five country boards in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritius, Madagascar and Botswana.
The country chairs sit on the regional board, together with five other members, all seasoned women’s rights activists. This role chairs the Regional Board, ensuring oversight and governance of GL activities across the entire region.
At the centre of GL’s feminist shared leadership model are the two Regional Co-Directors, who report to the Chair. The Director of the Regional Hub (DRH) is responsible for governance, compliance, risk management, finance, HR and IT. Country Directors have a dual reporting line to their Boards and to the DRH. The Director of Programmes is responsible for the Grants and Fellowship unit, synergies in all GL programmes, monitoring, evaluation, learning and communications.
The Head of GL Services, GL’s social entrepreneurship arm, reports to the Deputy Chair, whose term will overlap with the new chair for at least one year until 2028. The Board has four committees: an independent audit committee; programmes, organisational development and GL Services Committee.
The selection of the Chair is subject to approval by the Gender Links Association, which appoints the Board. The new Chair will succeed outgoing chair Emily Brown when she retires at the end of March 2027.
To express interest
Please send
- A short motivation letter, stating nationality, background and interest.
- CV and references
- Deadline: 20 November
Key dates
