Job Description

Main Job Purpose

Here at Action For Humanity (AFH) Canada, we are looking for a Chief Executive Officer to join us at our Office in Mississauga. You will join us on a full-time basis and in return you will receive a competitive annual salary.

AFH Canada is an INGO that provides aid and assistance to people affected by natural and man-made disasters. Our vision is a world of crises-resilient communities. Our mission is to mobilize and respond to emergencies and critical needs through humanitarian, development and peace-building action, helping affected communities survive, recover and build a better future.

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), you will serve as the strategic and operational leader of AFH Canada, responsible for strengthening the organization’s impact, expanding its influence, and securing sustainable funding to support its humanitarian mission. A central priority of the role is to deliver a clear long-term vision and strategy that positions AFH Canada as a credible and influential actor within the humanitarian and charitable sector.

The CEO will play a key role in building strong relationships with government institutions, policymakers, and institutional donors to advance advocacy efforts and expand institutional funding. At the same time, the CEO should demonstrate a strong understanding of the Canadian Muslim community and the broader charitable landscape, ensuring continued engagement with supporters and the ability to mobilize resources through community and individual giving.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide strategic leadership, strengthen partnerships, and inspire staff and stakeholders to deliver meaningful and sustainable impact. The role requires a leader who can effectively engage with government, institutional partners, and community stakeholders alike, positioning AFH Canada for sustained growth and influence.

Your key responsibilities will include:

1. Strategy
• Lead the development and execution of AFH Canada’s strategic plan, working closely with the Chair and Board of Directors.
• Translate the organizational vision into clear strategic priorities, goals, and delivery plans, ensuring alignment with AFH’s global mission.
• Present strategic priorities, emerging risks, and opportunities to Directors at regular board meetings and the Annual General Meeting, ensuring they have the insight required for effective oversight.
• Monitor external trends (policy, funding, humanitarian sector developments) and integrate this intelligence into adaptive, forward looking strategies.

2. Management
• Provide inspirational leadership to staff and volunteers, building a motivated, high performing, and values driven team culture.
• Ensure effective management structures, operational processes, and performance frameworks are in place to support excellence across all programs and functions.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and development to ensure AFH Canada attracts, nurtures, and retains exceptional talent, including contractors and consultants.
• Foster an environment of collaboration, innovation, and accountability across all teams and partnerships.

3. Growth & External Relations
• Lead the strategic growth of AFH Canada’s income through institutional funding, strategic partnerships, and diversified fundraising initiatives.
• Strengthen AFH Canada’s national profile to enhance advocacy impact, policy engagement, and public credibility.
• Develop and expand institutional funding pipelines (government, multilateral, and foundations) alongside innovative fundraising models including digital, major giving, and corporate partnerships.
• Ensure all fundraising and partnership activities adhere to the highest standards of governance, ethics, and regulatory compliance.

4. Finance
• Strengthen AFH Canada’s long term financial sustainability through proactive income generation, cost control, and disciplined financial planning.
• Ensure rigorous financial governance, meeting audit, regulatory, and reporting standards at all times.
• Oversee budgeting and resource allocation processes to ensure funds are maximized for mission impact
• Ensure appropriate financial risk management and scenario planning are in place.

5. Governance
• Work proactively and transparently with the Board of Directors, maintaining excellent two way communication and ensuring Directors receive timely, accurate information for decision making.
• Ensure robust governance structures, policies, and controls are in place across all areas of the organization and accessible to all relevant stakeholders.
• Lead on organizational risk management by embedding effective systems for identifying, managing, and mitigating risk.
• Ensure AFH Canada meets all regulatory requirements and maintains the highest levels of compliance and due diligence.

6. Leadership
• Champion AFH Canada’s mission, vision, and values, ensuring they are embedded in all activities, behaviors, and external engagement.
• Take strategic responsibility for contributing to AFH’s organizational objectives, risk register management, and assurance frameworks.
• Foster a culture of equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging across all services, programs, and organizational operations.

What we are looking for in our Chief Executive Officer:

Education
• Postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as humanitarian studies, international development, public policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development, including formal leadership or executive management qualifications.

Experience
• Significant senior leadership experience within the charity, humanitarian, or international NGO sector.
• Strong understanding of Canadian government systems, policy environments, and regulatory frameworks affecting the sector.
• Proven track record in advocacy, policy engagement, and building high-level relationships with governments, institutional donors, and sector partners.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing institutional funding from government, multilateral, and foundation donors.
• Good understanding of community fundraising and philanthropists.
• Strong financial stewardship, including budget oversight and grant management.
• Credible external representative and spokesperson with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strategic leader able to guide teams, strengthen organizational positioning, and support sustainable growth.
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of Action for Humanity.

Skills & Attributes
• Strong leadership capability to inspire and guide teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, policymakers, and institutional donors.
• Proven ability to build and leverage strategic partnerships across government, institutional donors, academia, and the NGO sector.
• Strong strategic and commercial acumen to identify opportunities that strengthen institutional funding, organizational positioning, and long-term sustainability.
• Sound judgement and analytical ability to navigate complex humanitarian, political, and policy environments.
• High standards of integrity and professionalism, consistently upholding and representing the organization’s values and mission.

Languages️
• Strong written and spoken English (Essential)
• Arabic, Urdu, and French (Highly Desirable)
• Additional languages (Desirable)

Benefits

• Company events
• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care
• Work from home

This would be an ideal role for an experienced humanitarian professional who is passionate about AFH’s causes. We are looking to appoint this role ASAP and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so for the best chance of success please apply today – we would love to hear from you.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Action For Humanity also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Expected Start Date: Immediately