The Organization
Friends of Tenwek (FOT) is a $1.2 million nonprofit organization with a board that has largely functioned as the executive leadership team for the organization. FOT’s purpose is to accelerate the impact of Tenwek Hospital in Bomet, Kenya, through capacity-building, financial resources, and spiritual support; honoring the hospital’s motto: “We treat, Jesus heals.”
The Opportunity
FOT is looking for an Executive Director with excellent leadership and team building skills to lead and serve the organization’s transition from being board run to a professional staff. Currently there is one salaried employee (Communications Representative). The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, operational management, drive development efforts, and foster partnerships while ensuring standards of Christian values are upheld. The successful candidate will be a servant, relational, team developer, motivator, and fundraiser promoting the Christ-centered values of Tenwek Hospital. The role is a remote position. However candidates located in the South-Eastern region are preferred and the Eastern time zone is preferable to any other part of the US. The Executive Director must be willing to travel to Kenya at least once, more likely twice, per year.
THEIR STORY
Located in the rural highlands of Kenya, 150 miles NW of Nairobi, Tenwek Hospital is the Medical Ministry of the Africa Gospel Church and was founded by the World Gospel Mission. Tenwek Hospital began as a small dispensary clinic in 1935, with its first physician, Dr. Ernie Steury, who arrived in 1959. For 38 years, Dr. Steury served as doctor, surgeon, missionary, and evangelist. It was not uncommon in Dr. Steury’s latter years at Tenwek, that several thousand would commit their lives to Christ in a given year.
In 2005, around a conversation between Dr. Russ White, Dr. David Hoover, an MBA colleague, and other key Tenwek Hospital staff, the question of how the hospital was funded was asked, and they learned that:
Patients paid discounted rates since doctors volunteered
Although other great organizations were active in Tenwek, there was no organization exclusively helping fund Tenwek capital expenditures
Doctors with specific passions would individually raise money in the US
There was no organized way for visiting doctors to donate to the hospital
This highlighted two key problems:
The hospital needed a way to fund its capital infrastructure
They wanted the entire hospital to benefit, not just departments with vocal surgeons who could raise funds
In response to the healthcare challenges faced by rural Kenyans, Dr. David Hoover and his father Don Hoover, established Friends of Tenwek (FOT). As a 501(c)(3) foundation, FOT's sole focus was to support Tenwek Hospital, a beacon of hope and healing in the region by supporting the five arms of the hospital: nursing, the hospital itself, community health, chaplaincy, and ministry outreaches. Acknowledging Tenwek Hospital as a mission hospital, they also wanted to keep visiting doctors engaged after they returned home.
Today, AGC Tenwek Hospital stands as a 400 bed capacity, Level 5, Teaching and Referral Hospital facility that serves an average of 220,000 patients annually. The hospital is a primary healthcare facility, a surgery center, and a teaching and referral hospital that serves patients from all over Kenya and surrounding East African countries. The renowned mission hospital also trains residents in diverse medical disciplines who now serve in various African countries.
WHAT THEY DO
Since its inception, FOT has raised approximately $8 million USD to support Tenwek’s mission. Historically, FOT supporters are primarily those who have served at Tenwek Hospital or associated with someone who has. This support extends beyond financial aid, fostering an actively engaged global community that champions the Christ-centered mission of Tenwek Hospital.
FOT accomplishes their mission by focusing on the following:
Provide funding for the hospital's capital infrastructure and projects
Support five key areas of the hospital: Nursing, Hospital Operations, Community Health, Chaplaincy Program, and Individual Missionary Outreaches
Keep doctors and visitors engaged after they leave Tenwek, maintaining their connection to the hospital
Create an organized way for people to give to the hospital (not just to individual programs)
Help fund strategic projects that have clear impact, while being selective about which initiatives they support
This approach allows them to effectively raise funds (currently $1.2-1.5 million annually) while ensuring all hospital departments receive support, not just those with the most vocal advocates.
By providing excellent compassionate healthcare, spiritual ministry, and training for service through capacity-building, financial resources, and spiritual ministry, Friends of Tenwek (FOT) is growing and cultivating an actively-engaged global community to empower and support the Christ-centered mission of Tenwek Hospital. It is a common mantra amongst those who are familiar with Tenwek Hospital and those involved with FOT; “Miracles happen at Tenwek. God is working here.”
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Opportunities
Devoted board members who are committed to the mission of Tenwek Hospital, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and supporting the next Executive Director.
Strong support from donors made up of those who have had an in-person experience with Tenwek Hospital, enabling a committed core from which to grow by increasing the revenue and widening the donor base.
Ability for the future Executive Director to build their own team. FOT has grown over the years. At the present time, there is one salaried position (Field Communications Representative), who is on-site at Tenwek. They have an accounting firm which prepares tax reports and audits records annually. All other positions/offices are filled by volunteers, at this time.
Challenges
With a small dedicated team to accomplish the mission, one in communications and this Executive Director, they will have to build with limited staff.
Administrative support is lacking for now. However, the new Executive Director will be able to hire administrative help.
Effectively manage relationships with three different groups: Kenyan nationals, visiting doctors, and the community back in the U.S., while considering the cross cultural implications. All three groups work differently and have different mindsets.
POSITION PROFILE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
GENERAL DUTIES/JOB DESCRIPTION
The Executive Director (ED) duties involve strategic leadership, operational management, fundraising, and fostering partnerships. This person must ensure alignment with Friends of Tenwek’s (FOT) VISION and MISSION and ensure compliance with U.S and Kenyan regulations.
VISION & STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Create and execute strategic plan that aligns with FOT’s mission to support Tenwek Hospital and its mission. Focus on providing equitable, accessible, high-quality, Christ-centered healthcare.
Ensure all activities reflect Christian values of compassion, service, stewardship. Integrate spiritual guidance and accountability into all programs
Work with FOT’s Board of Directors (BOD) and officers to communicate FOT’s VISION. Provide regular updates and develop policies supporting FOT’s MISSION. Serve as a nonvoting member of the BODs.
Stay informed on global healthcare trends, faith-based healthcare initiatives ,and developments in the nonprofit sector to guide decisions.
OPERATIONAL & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Oversee and manage day-to-day operations to ensure efficient and effective support for Tenwek Hospital.
Oversee planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs supporting Tenwek. Ensure rigorous evaluation of supported programs/initiatives.
Foster partnerships with Tenwek, local churches, NGO’s, and other stakeholders to maximize resources.
Ensure full compliance with U.S. regulations, IRS rules, and Kenyan laws.
FUNDRAISING & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Lead fundraising efforts. Solicit major donors. Responsible to oversee all communications with donors, such as social media, emails, newsletters, etc.
Ensure administrative expenses are at, or below, 20% of revenue.
Oversee FOT’s finances with Treasurer and accounting firm. Ensure accurate budgeting, financial reporting, and sustainability. Oversee and ensure timely filing of IRS forms.
Manage resources efficiently, openly, honestly. Ensure transparency with donors on fund usage.
TEAM LEADERSHIP
Recruit and manage staff. Hire, train, lead team in U.S. and coordinate with staff at Tenwek. Foster a positive, faith-driven work environment.
Act as a servant leader. Mentor staff, integrate discipleship into workplace. Demonstrate commitment to Christ. Be and live the VISION of FOT.
Energize and manage volunteers in the U.S. and Tenwek.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Serve as the public face of FOT. Attend fundraising events, speak with media, churches, stakeholders in the U.S. and perhaps Kenya.
Build relationships with donors, Tenwek staff and members of the Tenwek Community.
SUPPORT TENWEK HOSPITAL
Coordinate support by regularly communicating with Tenwek Hospital leadership and missionaries in determining where FOT can best use resources to maximize impact.
Understand and address cultural sensitivity, such as governance weaknesses, gender inequality, and at times lack of full communications.
Oversee transfer of funds, supplies, and expertise to Tenwek. Ensure accountability. Responsible for all Grant Requests and Completion Reports.
CHRISTIAN MISSION & OUTREACH
Support initiatives that combine healthcare delivery and spiritual outreach.
Model and promote ethical behavior, ensuring all actions and words align with Christian principles and FOT’s values, by-laws, and Statement of Faith
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Build relationships with Tenwek Administration. Serve as liaison between Tenwek and FOT.
Coordinate with Samaritan’s Purse and World Gospel Mission to support Tenwek
Encourage, motivate FOT BODs and staff/employees.
Oversee all Grant Requests and Completion Reports.
Oversee all transfers of monies to Tenwek from FOT.
Oversee and manage all day-to-day operations of FOT.
Develop strategic plan to implement goals and mission of FOT.
Implement the FOT BOD’s directives.
Responsible to oversee ALL communications with donors/FOT data base.
Responsible for sending ‘thank you letters’ to those serving short term at Tenwek.
Responsible to oversee sending of Receipt Letters to donors.
Oversee, direct, manage, and lead quarterly BOD meetings.
Communicate with FOT BOD’s and Executive Board as needed.
Oversee, as needed/appropriate, the FOT Champion Program, which promotes support and service in specific hospital areas/departments.
Responsible for oversight of FOT’s website and social media presence.
Manage, direct ALL FOT employees/staff.
Responsible for keeping donor data base updated
Proficient in use of QuickBooks, DonorPerfect, Constant Contact. Have ownership of these accounts as well as FOT Gmail account.
Lead, work with various FOT Committees to develop strategies to further goals and mission of FOT Communications Committee, Visitors Committee, Development Committee, others as may be formed.
Responsible for fundraising of FOT. If, or when, Development assistant or director hired, responsible for oversight of this position
Communicate/respond in a timely manner to emails, enquires of FOT.
Be the ‘picture’, vision to others of FOT.
QUALIFICATIONS
Commitment to FOT’s mission to support the mission of Tenwek and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ability to engage FOT’s mission statement, exemplify FOT’s core values, identify with FOT’s statement of beliefs, and embrace FOT’s corporate culture.
Experience working with senior-level stakeholders, both internal and external, to manage shared commitments in a non-profit environment.
Significant related experience in strategic planning, business operations, financial management, and team development.
Significant experience related to expanding and cultivating donor relationships over time.
Ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long term relationships with constituents.
Ability to construct, articulate, and implement, an annual strategic development plan.
Skill in communication with a demonstrated ability to represent FOT to a wide variety of individuals, both internally and externally.
Demonstrated expertise in supporting managers and cross organizational teams to accomplish strategic goals and objectives.
Experience working in cross-cultural environments with demonstrated understanding of missions work and the issues facing this endeavor.
Experience with developing and assessing processes which aid in facilitating objectives.
Experience in using office technologies and software to accomplish tasks.
Demonstrated ability to achieve results with minimal supervision.
Meaningful experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
Proven abilities and experience in development.
Passion for innovative program creation and organizational funding growth.
Capable of designing and directing strategies that enhance and support fundraising goals.
Experience in creating and establishing clear, measurable goals with tangible paths to success,
Outstanding written and communication skills and ability to work well with staff, donors, and the community, as well as computer skills in the use of Apple products, and Microsoft Office products.
Must be a creative, high-energy, hands-on professional who can successfully multitask in a fast-paced environment.
5-plus years of professional experience in a nonprofit organization with demonstrated success in a development function.
Undergraduate degree required. Graduate degree preferred.
Experience working with those in the health profession may be beneficial but not required.
COMPENSATION
Competitive salary.
Comprehensive benefits, including health coverage, retirement plan plus vacation, holiday and sick leave plans.
Full-time, FLSA Exempt position.
NEXT STEPS
To learn more about the work of Friends of Tenwick, please visit their website at http://www.friendsoftenwek.org.
If, after prayerfully reviewing this information, you believe this role fits you well, or if you know someone you would like to recommend, please hit to APPLY NOW button below or contact:
Yale Kim Search Consultant
MISSION:LEADERSHIP email :: yale@missionleadership.org
