Executive Director at BFDG

Bees for Development Ghana is a specialist beekeeping organisation, established in Ghana in 2016 to serve the nation by teaching and promoting sustainable apiculture and protecting nature. We are a growing non-profit organisation dedicated to leveraging sustainable beekeeping as a means to build livelihoods, conserve biodiversity, and reduce poverty in Ghana. We empower rural communities through training and practical support in beekeeping, enterprise development, and sustainable land use. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and excellence in our work. Working with rural communities, government agencies, and partners, we deliver our work through community-based projects and an established social enterprise.

Our mission

To realise the potential for beekeeping to lift people out of poverty, to support resilient farms, and to protect forests

Our vision

Our Vision: We envision a country where sustainable beekeeping enhances people’s well-being and incentivises people to care for nature.

Position Summary

We are looking for a bold, visionary leader, ready to drive growth and lead with authority, to take on the role of Director. The experienced and ambitious candidate will lead the NGO in achieving its strategic goals by strengthening organisational strength and fitness, developing and implementing an effective and growing programme of work, and investing in people. The Executive Director will supervise the staff team, achieve donor and government compliance, provide financial oversight, and manage risks. The Executive Director will represent the organisation at relevant high-level fora and seek new opportunities for the organisation to achieve its goals. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of decisive leadership in the NGO or social enterprise sector and is able to bring energy and strategic oversight to our young organisation. We are looking for an exceptional candidate to work with our excellent existing staff and to invest in their development.

Specific roles and responsibilities of the post holder

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development

       i.          Lead the BfDG team towards delivering an effective and impactful beekeeping development programme, in line with BfDG’s Strategic Objectives

     ii.          Apply strategic foresight and entrepreneurial thinking to scale BfDG’s impact

    iii.          Strengthen governance, streamline operations, and embed a culture of accountability and high performance

   iv.          Develop and implement robust management, processes, and policies, ensuring that the organisation is fit for purpose, resilient, and ready for the next chapter in its growth and development

     v.          Report to Executive Council as required and requested, at a minimum of four times per year, at quarterly meetings

   vi.          Identify any capacity or personnel gaps within the organisation and liaise with the Executive Council to fill these gaps

Team Leadership & Staff Development

       i.          Inspire and empower a high-performing team, fostering ownership and excellence in a mission-driven culture

     ii.          Build the professional competence and productivity of staff based on capacity needs assessment and capacity building programmes

    iii.          Manage, supervise, and support staff, delegating responsibilities to the team, as

   iv.          appropriate

Programme Design & Financial Oversight

       i.          Lead design of project concepts and develop proposals in pursuit of BfDG’s Strategic Objectives

     ii.          Develop an annual plan and budget

    iii.          Authorise expenditures, ensuring compliance with approved budgets and the organisation’s financial processes and protocols

Partnerships & Representation

       i.          Explore partnership opportunities to expand BfDG’s programme

     ii.          Maintain and develop a close strategic relationship with Bees for Development UK and its global partners to ensure BfDG grows its reputation internationally

    iii.          Build and sustain effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders at all levels (beneficiaries, community representatives, government, donors, other NGOs, and private sector actors)

   iv.          Represent BfDG in relevant stakeholder meetings and platforms

Resource Mobilisation & Enterprise Development

       i.          Lead on resource mobilisation, fundraising, and writing grant applications

     ii.          Establish and grow a commercially viable social enterprise arm, ensuring long-term financial sustainability (honey processing)

Infrastructure & Institutional Growth

       i.          Lead on establishing the proposed Beekeeping Training Centre at the Adofu site, raising money towards set-up, and developing the Centre as the main HQ of BfDG, as the existing Honey and Beeswax Trade Centre establishes a lean focus on buying and selling honey and beeswax

Required Skills and Qualifications

Essential

Required Qualifications and Experience

       i.          University degree in a relevant field (such as Development Studies, Business Administration, Environmental Science, Agriculture, or related discipline); postgraduate qualification preferred.

     ii.          At least 7 years’ experience in a leadership or senior management role within the NGO, development, or social enterprise sector.

    iii.          Demonstrated experience in project management, staff supervision, and financial oversight.

   iv.          Proven ability to build partnerships and represent an organisation at a high level.

     v.          Strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills.

   vi.          Commitment to the mission and values of Bees for Development Ghana.

Desirable

       i.          Experience of managing a social enterprise, or similar

     ii.          Experience of resource mobilisation, e.g., writing funding applications, negotiating with strategic partners and donors

What We Offer:

       i.          A meaningful role in a purpose-driven organisation.

     ii.          Opportunities for learning and growth.

    iii.          The chance to contribute to sustainable development in rural Ghana

   iv.          Attractive remuneration package