Snapshot

Denomination: Non-Denominational

Location:  Home Base - Calgary, AB, Canada

Field Base - San Vicente, El Salvador

The Role: Chief Executive Officer

Meet Shelter Helps: 

Shelter Helps is a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit organization that has grown to include caring people from Canada, the U.S., and El Salvador all with the same vision – to be a catalyst creating positive, sustainable change for all involved in working to ensure adequate housing for all communities in El Salvador. Hundreds of volunteers and El Salvadoran partners have embraced the mission of spreading the gospel through the provision of homes, for every Salvadoran in need. 

Shelter Helps seeks to bring hope to the marginalized population of El Salvador providing for some of their basic needs by building houses and sharing the love of Jesus while on mission. Since 2002, over 5,500 homes have been built, directly impacting over 20,000 lives, in over 250 communities in El Salvador. Also,  they have a God inspired goal to build their 10,000th house in El Salvador by 2027.  Today, the vision remains the same: Continue to create lasting impact in the lives of families' and develop holistic and long-term transformation in communities in El Salvador!

About the CEO:

Shelter Helps is seeking an Chief Executive Officer who is a mission-minded Christ-follower, proactive and optimistic, with a strong sense of God’s call to serve in the work of Shelter Helps.

The ideal candidate will articulate the organization's vision, mission, and strategic direction.

They will be responsible for the overall strategic direction and day-to-day operations of Shelter Helps, ensuring we continue to fulfill our mission and make a positive impact in El Salvador. This will be done in collaboration with the Shelter Board of Directors. 

The CEO is responsible for ensuring that strategic and operating plans agreed upon with the Board are successfully implemented by ensuring prudent fiscal management, optimal employee and volunteer engagement, and stakeholder involvement in order to achieve all plans in a manner that conforms to the organization’s values and relevant laws and regulations.

The CEO's Responsibilities Include: 

• Create an environment and culture that focuses on fulfilling Shelter Helps mission, vision and values. 

• Coordinate and monitor all operations and mission activities to ensure they produce the desired results and are consistent with the vision and mission. 

• Provide leadership and develop high quality strategies and plans, by studying cultural trends, analyzing operations, identifying opportunities for expansion, improvement, and process enhancement, while ensuring alignment with short-term and long-term objectives. 

• Prepare robust operating, economic and financial assumptions to ensure that the future plans of Shelter Helps are soundly based and will help the organization achieve its strategic goals. 

• Provide financial oversight to manage and allocate an operating budget of up to $10 million - analyzing and reporting results monthly, initiating corrective actions and minimizing the impact of variances. 

• Motivate, inspire and facilitate supporters in order to maximize organizational fundraising strategies. 

• Ensure that Shelter Helps is staffed with well-trained, quality and engaged employees and volunteers who through mentoring, coaching and empowering, work together as a strongly connected, high-performing team. 

• Ensure legislative and regulatory compliance in all Shelter Helps operational activities. 

• Oversee brand development and the implementation of effective marketing strategies to raise the profile of Shelter Helps and broaden its reach. 

• Communicate circumstances and operational events to the Board, and appropriate stakeholders to keep all apprised. 

• Represent Shelter Helps at public and private meetings and events as deemed appropriate within the context of the role of Chief Executive Officer.

What You Bring: 

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the CEO:

Education & Experience

• Post secondary education in the field of ministry/biblical training would be preferred.

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in non-profit sector, preferably in cross-cultural missions setting

• Strong understanding of El Salvador's social and economic context.

• Fluency in Spanish and English (written and spoken) required.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

• Excellent communication and writing skills, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple priorities and delegate effectively 

• Experience in mentoring operational teams 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze financial and non-financial data 

• Management experience, including an understanding of the complexity in delivering communications and technology-based solutions across a diverse organization 

Personal Characteristics 

• Endorses and upholds Shelter Helps’ statement of faith whole-heartedly. 

• Demonstrates a diverse and cumulative knowledge and understanding of mission principles and practices in a cross-cultural setting. 

• Ability to integrate conceptual and operational functions which are diverse in nature and objective and critical to the achievement of overall organizational goals. 

• Communicates and collaborates with others to build consensus; negotiates across multiple stakeholder groups to develop comprehensive solutions. 

• Actively seeks to raise the awareness of Shelter Helps, extending its’ reach and impact by engaging a diverse range of individuals, partners, employees and volunteers. 

• Communicates with tact and diplomacy, demonstrating social awareness and cultural sensitivity and is fluent in both the Spanish and English languages. 

• Conducts him/herself with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication to the mission of Shelter.

Benefits:

Shelter Helps offers a unique and deeply rewarding cross-cultural experience, a solid total compensation package along with the opportunity for influence and impact in an organization where the combined generosity, sacrificial and dedicated efforts of hundreds of people have built homes and brought hope to more than 6,000 families. 

Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

What it's Like to Live in El Salvador: 

Living in El Salvador can be a mix of vibrant culture, natural beauty, and socio-economic challenges. Salvadorans are known for their warmth and hospitality. Family is central to life, and social gatherings are frequent and lively. The culture is a rich blend of indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences, reflected in music, food, and traditions. The country boasts beautiful landscapes, from pristine beaches along the Pacific coast to lush rainforests and volcanoes in the interior.  Outdoor activities like hiking, and exploring archaeological sites are popular. Compared to many developed countries, the cost of living in El Salvador is quite affordable, especially for housing and everyday goods. Like anywhere, your experience can vary greatly depending on where you live and your individual circumstances.

* The CEO will reside in El Salvador

Think you're a great fit for this role? Become a candidate below.