Position Announcement Safe Passage Executive Director Safe Passage, a 501(C)3 non-profit development-focused organization, is seeking an exceptional Executive

Director. Known in Guatemala as Camino Seguro (and registered as a non-profit in Guatemala), Safe Passages mission is to empower the poorest at-risk children and families who live in the Guatemala City garbage dump community by creating opportunity and fostering dignity through the power of education. Safe Passage is a secular, non-political organization. The Executive Director will be based in Guatemala, but travel frequently to raise funds abroad. He or she will lead the organization in carrying out a strategic plan to build and operate schools at the preprimary, primary, and middle school levels. For information about Safe Passage, please visit www.safepassage.org. The Organization Background- In 1997, early childhood specialist Hanley Denning went to Guatemala to learn Spanish. When she visited the impoverished community adjacent to the Guatemala City garbage dump, it changed her life and ultimately the lives of many families in this socially and economically marginalized community. Hanley sold her computer and car and began raising funds to provide school fees, tutoring, nutrition and critically needed care to children contending with extreme poverty, neglect and abuse. Hanley and her supporters built a safe and welcoming building that became the Educational Reinforcement Center. Within a few years, Safe Passage, with the help of staff, community members, volunteers, and international supporters, built an Early Childhood Education Center on reclaimed dump land, and created an adult literacy program for the parents of the students in the program. In 2007 Hanley was killed in a tragic car accident in Guatemala. Barbara Nijhuis, a Dutch citizen, served as Executive Director for three years, building organizational capacity and strengthening programs. In January 2011, Richard Schmaltz became the third ED, drawing on lengthy experience as a turn-around school principal in Canada and a long-time commitment and involvement with Safe Passage. Recognizing the inadequacy of most Guatemalan public schools, Richard has led the organization to a new strategic vision; Safe Passage will build and operate Camino Seguro schools at the pre-primary, primary, and middle school levels. This change in the program, from reinforcement to full-day enriched program has already commenced under a 5-year implementation program. In 2013, Safe Passage serves over 550 children and their families with an integrated program that incorporates healthy living, strong academics, life skills, creativity, and fun. Staff- Safe Passage has about 100 dedicated staff in Guatemala and a five-person Development and Outreach office in Yarmouth, Maine (Hanley Dennings home town). At any one time there are between 20 and 40 short-term (5-weeks +) or long-term (6 months +) volunteers from several countries working in Guatemala with the program. Each year, over 20 service teams spend a week with Safe Passage, and hundreds of Guatemalan and international visitors annually visit the program. Board- The 17-member Board of Directors has North American and Guatemalan members. Funding- Safe Passage has an annual budget of about $2 million, contributed primarily by over 3,500 individual donors through annual giving and a child sponsorship program, with and additional support from corporations and foundations. Programs The children enrolled in Safe Passage attend Guatemalan schools (typically just a half-day) with financial support to cover costs of enrollment, school supplies and uniforms. In addition Safe Passage programs include: The Early Childhood Education Program, including the newly registered Escuelita Hanley Denning for preschool age children- Enhances the health and school readiness of children between two and six years old while their parents work. The Hanley Denning Primary School- Started in 2013 with one first-grade class, the school will add one to two

more years of formal schooling in each of the next 2-3 academic years. Educational Reinforcement Center- School-age children from elementary to high school receive nutritious meals and access homework help, medical care, social/psychological services, sports and art programming, English and computer skills, a library, and a safe place to socialize. Most are the first in their family to attend school, and need extra encouragement, guidance and support to reach their goals. Adult Literacy Program- Over 80 mothers, fathers, and grandparents are learning to read and write with the initial goal of earning a sixth-grade diploma in an accredited national program. Parents are encouraged to study beyond the sixth grade as well. Social Entrepreneurship Program- Trains parents and adult family members in income-earning skills and small business management. CREAMOS, a womens jewelry business that Safe Passage helps administer, now employs over 30 mothers.

The Position Reporting to, and working with the Board, the Executive Director (ED) has overall responsibility for nurturing a safe and empowering culture and environment for the children and their families, staff, and volunteers. S/he will: Commit to the mission and the new strategic vision, manage the organization and ensure the quality and effectiveness of development-focused programs: Collaborate with the Board in strategic planning, and in reviewing the fit of the vision and mission with the organization of today. Use the vision to inspire others. In a team environment, hire, lead and manage the senior staff and ensure staff development and appropriate delegation. Ensure that policies and programs are well-executed: Lead evaluation and assessment of programs and provide relevant information to the Board. Propose new programs, and enhance the quality of integrated programs in the spirit of empowerment to increase independence of the children and families. Support and expand the role of volunteerism as a central part of Safe Passages operations. Lead and manage fundraising: Lead the board and staff in identifying sustainable resource generating strategies, maintain personal relationships with leadership donors, facilitate the role of individual Board members in solicitations, and provide leadership for development staff; Build external relationships and serve as an advocate: Serve as the public face of the organization and be the primary spokesperson; develop effective and professional relationships and partnerships with other organizations and with supporters and donors through communication and appreciation; Exercise responsible fiscal stewardship: Make sound financial decisions within the parameters established by the Board and lead the annual budget and review process. Follow the highest ethical standards, ensure accountability, and handle concrete aspects of compliance with the law; Foster Safe Passages effort to incorporate data for organizational management and evaluation. Engage with the Board. Lead the implementation of agreed upon plans, fulfilling Safe Passages role as an educational development organization. Provide insights on future Board leadership and help identify future Board members; Keep it fun and creative.

Qualifications The Executive Director we are seeking will bring: Passion for Safe Passages mission, commitment to service, and the ability to engage children, families, staff, volunteers, and donors;

Extensive understanding of human services and education serving families in at-risk environments; Demonstrated capacity to manage in a complex, multi-faceted nonprofit organization with a large staff in multiple locations; Successful experience in, and enthusiasm for, fundraising; willingness to spend significant time traveling in support of Safe Passages development. Experience and understanding of current thinking and best practices in community development Strong team-building skills especially the ability to build a strong management team Ability to effectively communicate the mission, demonstrate the organizations values of nurturing and respect, and persuasively convey the vision to inspire staff and volunteers, the community it serves, and donors; Successful experience working with a board of directors; Fully bilingual in Spanish and English. Comfortable and adept in both American and Guatemalan environment. Experience managing in a multi-cultural environment in a developing country. Experience in Latin America or Guatemala a plus. Cultural sensitivity and high emotional intelligence; Experience working on the ground. Volunteer experience a plus; Appreciation for the importance of volunteers Commitment to reside in Guatemala while spending considerable time fundraising in the US and abroad.

For more information, please see www.safepassage.org. Safe Passage actively seeks diversity among applicants. To apply- Send resume and cover letter to jeff.katz@safepassage.org with Executive Director in the subject line.