Relief India Trust Explaining the Core Responsibilities of an Executive Director of an NGO

Introduction:

According to ReliefIndia Trust, an executive director of an NGO or any other firm sits at a very critical position especially in terms of management and leadership. He holds several core responsibilities which are important in sustaining and maintaining the decorum of the organization. It is critically important for an executive of any organization, including NGOs that he must possess very strong knowledge and has all the interpersonal skills in a number of organizational areas in order to ensure success and confirm progress of an NGO. Although the job role of an executive director significantly differs in a number of ways in different organizations which varies according to their size, structure and mode of operation, but there are still many similarities in the characteristics of the executive director of a NGO which are common in almost all such organizations. We will discuss some of the core characteristics of the executive director which are common in all the NGOs are discussed in the text to follow.

Creating a Vision:

 First thing first, an executive director of an NGO has to create and pass a very clear and objective vision which is shared with the other staff members of the NGO. The Relief India Trust believes that the creation and passing of such vision down the organizational hierarchy of an NGO from the executive director provides unity and strength within the organization. The vision ideally should be singular and the executive director has to ensure that everybody in the organization understands everything about their vision and are truly inspired by it. This thing will help the NGO to keep its entire staff motivated.

Lead and Manage:

The executive director ideally should lead and manage the organization at the same time. Such a job role includes the outlining of the critical tasks and also refers back to the vision which will serve for them as a guideline in their tasks. The executive director of an NGO in this regard must think about the following:

·         What tasks are needed to be accomplished now?

·         What tasks are still pending which need to be accomplished now?

·         What are the new activities or tasks of the NGO that need either to be changed or redefined?

Engage the Community:

Engaging the external community is one of the most crucial tasks of the executive director of an NGO. According to Relief India Trust, it helps in building the much needed relationship for the NGO. The main objectives for the executive director in engaging the community typically includes:

·         Listen and pay heed to the communal needs.

·         Identify and also provide advocacy for change where the executive director thinks is valid and should be brought upon.

·         Utilizing all his useful communication, interpersonal and the listening skills in engaging the community.

·         Facilitating the community with the much needed financial, human and the technological resources.

·         Promote awareness in the community on different issues.