Chief Executive Officer

About Trócaire 

Trócaire is an International NGO. We work with local partners in the world’s most at-risk communities and with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises they create. Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world. Trócaire works in up to 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. We work towards five goals:  

•          Promote Access to Justice;  

•          Achieve Climate & Environmental Justice;  

•          Ensure Women & Girls’ Protection, Voice & Influence;  

•          Save Lives and Protect Human Dignity and  

•          Mobilise the Public on the island of Ireland to achieve Global Justice. 

Our work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and in our values of Solidarity, Courage, Participation, Perseverance and Accountability.

The Chief Eexecutive Officer (CEO) of Trócaire leads the organisation, ensuring excellence in all aspects of the organisation’s work. The CEO reports to the Board of Trócaire, through the Chair, and is responsible for development and implementation of organisational strategy, along with governance, finance and funding, risk management, stakeholder engagement and organisational culture.

The CEO leads an Executive Leadership Team which is made up of the Directors of 5 Divisions: International Operations, Global Programmes, Ireland Programmes, Corporate Services and People and Culture.

Trócaire has an overall staff complement of over 500 people, working in up to 20 countries and with over 200 local partners. The CEO promotes, enables and models an empowering style of leadership which is rooted in Trócaire’s values. Leading with courage and humanity, they ensure that Trócaire fulfils its mission, strategy and objectives.

The role is based in Ireland, with significant international travel and work outside office hours.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership:

• To provide leadership to the Board, Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the organisation in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of organisational strategy, ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of the organisation. 
• To build an ELT that is cohesive, high performing and dynamic, and that models the values of the organisation.
• To lead with humanity, courage and strategic vision on an ongoing basis, giving clear direction to the organisation in a volatile external context. 
• To ensure a strong continued focus on locally-led development and humanitarianism and on shifting the balance of power, demonstrating this commitment both in organisational practice and in thought leadership at sector level.

 Governance:

• To ensure that Trócaire works to the highest standards of governance and accountability in all relevant jurisdictions, ensuring that it complies with legislative and regulatory standards as well as standards of best practice in the development, humanitarian and not-for-profit sector.
• To enable the Board to fulfil its governance responsibilities for the effective strategic leadership and control of the organisation, in line with legislation, best practice and the Constitution of Trócaire.

 Finance & Funding :

• To be responsible for the financial performance of the organisation, ensuring long term sustainability in funding and financial management while fulfilling the highest standards of financial reporting and accountability.
• To ensure optimal and effective stewardship of the organisation’s resources, including but not limited to finance and funding, in support of fulfilment of the organisation’s strategy and mission.
• To ensure that Trócaire’s strategies for both public and institutional fundraising deliver excellent results in line with our organisational objectives and values.

 Risk Management:

• To ensure that Trócaire manages organisational level risk in a strategic and agile manner, in line with the risk appetite set and overseen by the Board.

 Stakeholder Engagement:

• To ensure that Trócaire is known to external stakeholders as an exceptional organisation that delivers on its mandate through effective and impactful development and humanitarian programming and through advocacy, education, outreach and campaigns.
•  To ensure that Trócaire’s Catholic identity and its distinctive values, rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, are visible throughout the organisation and that Trócaire maintains a close relationship with the Irish Episcopal Conference in particular and the Catholic Church and its networks more broadly.
• To ensure that Trócaire has the confidence and respect of the Irish Government and other key governments, international bodies, and that Trócaire has influence in line with its strategic objectives.
• To act as organisational spokesperson on key issues of strategic importance, ensuring that Trócaire has a high media profile and is effective in advocacy at national and international levels.
• To ensure that Trócaire’s public and institutional donor and supporter relationships are managed to the highest standards of engagement and accountability.  

People & Culture:

• To drive a culture of high engagement, agility and performance across the organisation, modelling a leadership style that is built on integrity, inclusion and respect for others.
• To ensure the fulfilment of strong equity, diversity and inclusion policies and practices across the organisation, ensuring colleagues feel a strong sense of belonging and of being valued for who they are.   

Requirements

• Significant experience (minimum 5 years) of leadership at a senior level in an international development/humanitarian/human rights organisation.
• A proven track record in building a cohesive, high performing senior leadership team in a complex organisation and volatile environment.
• A proven track record in leading the development, implementation and review of strategy in a fast-changing context.
• Experience in leading change at a senior level in an empowering, strategic and inclusive manner.
• A proven track record in delivery of high quality results and of demonstrating accountability and effective stewardship of resources.
• Demonstrated capacity to grasp complex regulatory, finance and risk related issues across a range of national and international environments and to lead formulation of organisational policy responses. 
• A proven track record in driving a culture of high engagement, agility and performance across an organisation, and of a strong commitment to promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion policies and practices.
• Demonstrated capacity to build strong relationships at a senior level with a wide range of key stakeholders, including Government, Catholic Church, partners, donors, supporters, media, networks and peer organisations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, coupled with high emotional intelligence, sophisticated listening skills and a personal style which is rooted in integrity and respect for others.
• Strong commitment to global social justice and an alignment with the mission and values of Trócaire.
• A third level qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent work experience.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive salary and benefits

package. The salary aligned to the CEO role ranges from €110,000 - €130,000 d.o.e. (ROI based) or £90,000 - £105,000 d.o.e. (NI based)

For more information on this role, please see brochure

To view Trócaire's latest Annual report click here

To view Trócaire's latest Strategic Plan click here

Closing date for applications is Monday 11th August 2025

Please note interviews will take place from 25th August 2025

Safeguarding Programme Participants-Children & Adults

Trócaire is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. More information on Trócaire’s safeguarding policies available here.

Diversity and inclusion

We welcome diverse applicants to join our inclusive workforce.

Trócaire is an equal opportunities employer. We are an organisation that embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to bring their experiences and perspectives to Trócaire.

Diversity and Inclusion statement available here