Notice of vacancy at TGEU

Deputy Director

TGEU seeks an energetic, motivated, and experienced leader to serve as Deputy Director of a growing regional network of trans organisations throughout Europe and Central Asia.

This is a 100% (40h/week) position, based in Berlin, reporting directly to the Executive Director.

The Deputy Director will partner closely with the Executive Director (ED) to chart TGEU’s future, sustainable growth, and strategic response to the needs of trans activists and organisations throughout Europe and Central Asia. The Deputy Director will have both internal and external facing responsibilities, supporting the ED with staff management, annual work planning, project management, grants administration, human resources, and organisational development.

Closing date

Applications sent by e-mail to jobs@tgeu.org by 20 September 2021, 19:00 Central European Summer Time, will be considered.

Background

TGEU is a member-based organisation working primarily in Europe and Central Asia for the rights and lives of trans people. TGEU’s mission is to strengthen the rights and wellbeing of trans people in Europe and Central Asia, and represents 166 member organisations in 47 countries. We are seeking applicants who are committed to a world free from discrimination where gender diversity is celebrated, where trans people are valued, and where trans movements are self-aware, intersectional, and evolving to meet the needs of a diverse and resilient community. 

Job description

The Deputy Director is a new senior leadership role at TGEU, working closely with the Executive Director to grow, sustain, and develop the organisation. The Deputy Director will share senior management duties with the ED, including human resources and staff management, annual work planning and project management, grant development and administration, programme-related budgeting and finance duties, and organisational development.

Primary job duties include:

Human Resources and Personnel Management

  • Partner with the ED to develop and monitor annual goals and workplans for the organisation, departments, and individual staff members.
  • Provide direct supervision for department leads and managers.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with staff, consultants, Board members, and partners.
  • Encourage and support cross-team planning and execution of projects.
  • Serve as a solution-focused mentor and coach for a diverse and growing staff.

Project and Grants Development

  • Lead the development of grant applications and reporting, especially those involving multiple partners.
  • Work closely with the ED, staff, and external partners to develop and monitor project timelines and budgets to ensure compliance with government and foundation contracts, German association law, and the organisational budget.
  • Act as the liaison with donors and staff in the areas of grants development, oversight, reporting, and compliance.
  • Ensure TGEU submits timely grant reports that monitor and measure programme results as required.

Organisational Development

  • Partner with the ED in essential internal leadership activities (strategic planning, donor coordination, administration, and human resources).
  • Identify best practices and improve internal systems with an eye toward future needs and budget realities.
  • Represent TGEU in meetings with stakeholders, conferences, and other public venues when the ED is not available.

Who we are looking for

For this position, we are looking for a senior leader with strong competency and interest in trans issues. We are looking for someone who applies a (self-)critical approach to their work, includes intersectional perspectives and accumulates a set of experiences and skills. The ideal candidate will have:

Preferred work experience

  • Practical experience in executing tasks similar to those described above, ideally within a European- or Central Asia-based non-governmental organisation (NGO).
  • Track record delivering results, assuming leadership roles, and inspiring trust and respect.
  • 4 years of programme management experience, with at least 2 years managing government grants.
  • 2 or more years of staff management experience.
  • Success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities.
  • Demonstrated success in developing successful collaborative working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, including staff, programme partners, and donors.
  • Experience in national, regional, or international trans/LGBTI organisations.

Skills and abilities

  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to remain focused in the face of pressure, manage a high workload, prioritise tasks, deliver against timelines, and not be intimidated by tasks/time limitations.
  • Ability to react and adapt quickly to unexpected changes, and ready to anticipate problems, provide creative solutions, and meet deadlines in challenging situations.
  • Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humour.
  • A commitment to intersectionality, and an understanding of the various issues that trans activists and organisations face.
  • Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in organisational settings.
  • Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written) with strong writing and editing skills.

Personal attributes

  • Highly motivated, hardworking, and well organised.
  • A high sense of initiative and accountability.
  • Comfort taking the lead and making decisions after consultation with key staff and other stakeholders.
  • Comfort working both as an individual as well as within diverse teams.
  • Indisputable work ethics.
  • Commitment to TGEU values and policies.

What we offer

  • An 100% (40 hours per week) position for an initial period of 24 months
  • The possibility to work for the European and Central Asian trans movement – and truly make a difference
  • A dedicated team that will allow you to implement your ideas
  • On-the-job training and coaching from an experienced Executive Director
  • Full healthcare plan
  • Gross salary of 65,673€ per year with a 5% increase after one year
  • Up to 1500 € of relocation support to Berlin, Germany, if needed
  • A pet-friendly office space
  • Access arrangements depending on the needs of the employee
  • German classes, if desired
  • Counselling/coaching sessions, as needed/li>

Due to COVID relocation challenges and funding restrictions, preference will be given to applicants who are already eligible to work in the EU/Germany. However, all candidates will be considered. For those who may need a work permit, a university diploma will be required due to German immigration practices.

Accessibility of TGEU’s office

TGEU’s offices are partially accessible for wheelchair users: there is a steep ramp from the street down to the elevator; once inside, all the rooms are situated on one level and the office doors and corridors are very wide; the toilets are on the same level but the doors are too narrow to allow access when using a wheelchair.

Application procedure

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and a writing sample to jobs@tgeu.org with DEPUTY DIRECTOR in the subject line by 19:00 CEST on 20 September 2021. Top candidates will be asked to complete a pre-interview exercise. Anonymised CVs are welcome, but please do not send degrees or diplomas.

Timeline

26 July 2021
20 September 2021
22-30 September 2021
4 October 2021
1 November 2021

Launch of the call
Deadline for receiving applications
Interviews
Decision
Start of position

TGEU is an equal opportunities employer striving to avoid discrimination and increase representation and expertise from underrepresented groups on the team. Therefore, TGEU encourages trans and/or queer; black people and people of colour; D/deaf and disabled people; people with a migration background; sex workers; trans women and gender-non-conforming people; people from Eastern Europe and Central Asia; people living with HIV, to apply and mention their backgrounds and experiences in their application. We guarantee that all information will be held confidentially.

Please send your application before 20 September 2021 19:00, Central European Summer Time.