CAREER OPPORTUNITY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WORLD BLIND UNION
Application deadline: June 12, 2026
The Organization
The World Blind Union (WBU) is the international voice of blind and partially sighted persons, representing over 338 million people worldwide through its members and six Regional Unions. WBU advances human rights, accessibility, inclusion, and global collaboration, working with the UN and other international bodies.
More information is available on https://wbu.ngo/news/wbu-career-opportunity-ceo
The Position
Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Reports to: WBU President
Staff Under Direct Supervision: Communications lead, and other key staff.
Location: Flexible
Working hours: Full-time
The CEO is the chief executive of the WBU, responsible for translating the organization's vision and mission into strategic leadership, operational effectiveness, and global influence. Reporting to the Board, the CEO leads all areas: governance, programmatic direction, financial management, advocacy, partnerships, and compliance. The CEO ensures WBU remains a trusted and representative voice for blind and partially sighted persons worldwide, strengthening institutional capacity and impact within UN systems, governments, and civil society.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership and Organizational Vision
* Propose, develop, and implement a multi-year strategic vision aligned with WBU's mission and values.
* Lead the development and execution of WBU's strategic plans, ensuring participatory processes and internal alignment.
* Mobilize human, financial, and political resources to fulfil WBU's mission.
* Guide and strengthen WBU's communication strategy, global visibility, and political impact.
2. Governance and Legal Oversight
* Oversee financial management, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.
* Support the President and Board in governance responsibilities, including internal regulations, Constitution, and Bylaws.
* Ensure legal compliance, particularly regarding WBU's registration in Canada, NGO status, foreign employer registration, if applicable, and ECOSOC consultative status.
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Support the WBU President and governance bodies in the Strategic Location Assessment process by providing operational, financial, and strategic analysis and advice to enable an informed decision on the Secretariat/office model and location, and by contributing to the implementation of the decision adopted, including--where required--the possibility of relocating the CEO's place of residence to the location ultimately determined.
* Prepare and facilitate governance meetings (Officers, Board, Executive Committee, and General Assembly), ensuring interpretation services and timely distribution of agendas and supporting materials.
* Maintain consistent communication and alignment between governance structures and the Secretariat.
* Maintain regular contact with the President, Officers, and Regional Unions, providing support and advice.
* Oversee membership processes, including new applications, associate memberships, and member engagement.
3. Executive and Human Resources Management
* Lead the Secretariat and teams, fostering an inclusive, results-oriented, and values-based organizational culture.
* Oversee HR policy development and implementation, recruitment, staff well-being, and performance management.
* Provide direct supervision to senior staff and strategic direction in programs, operations, and partnerships.
* Promote collaboration, learning, and professional growth among staff.
4. Program Oversight and Results-Based Management
* Ensure effective development and implementation of programs promoting CRPD implementation and inclusive development goals.
* Drive results-based management and continuous improvement practices across teams and WBU Committees and Working Groups.
* Oversee donor reporting and ensure alignment between program execution and donor expectations.
5. Financial Management and Resource Mobilization
* Lead WBU's fundraising strategy and mobilize diversified funding sources for long-term sustainability.
* Secure resources to operationalize the strategic plan and build donor confidence.
* Foster and maintain long-term institutional partnerships and manage strategic funding relationships.
6. Partnerships, Advocacy, and Representation
* Cultivate, maintain, and expand strategic partnerships with UN agencies, governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector.
* Represent WBU in high-level advocacy forums, media engagements, and public speaking opportunities.
* Lead WBU's external relations and public advocacy strategy.
* Ensure coordinated messaging and advocacy priorities across WBU, its regions, and member organizations.
7. Louis Braille Museum
* Ensure the museum's international mission, preserving Louis Braille's legacy and promoting the braille system globally.
* Represent WBU in museum governance bodies, actively participating in the Public Interest Group (GIP) and coordinating with the Chair of the French Committee to ensure WBU's global perspective.
* Promote the museum's international visibility and sustainability through global events, campaigns, fostering the acquisition of international funding, and ensuring accountability through annual reporting.
Requirements
1. Education and Qualifications
* Higher education in a relevant field.
2. Experience
* Minimum 5 years of professional experience in management or leadership roles.
* Proven experience in strategic leadership, organizational and financial management, fundraising, and institutional representation.
* Experience in the field of visual disability and multicultural contexts.
3. Technical and Functional Skills
* Fluency in spoken and written English (mandatory).
* Strategic leadership with global vision and exceptional organizational skills.
* Excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
* Ability to manage people and foster teamwork, creating collaborative and motivating environments.
* Innovation-oriented, driving creative solutions and continuous improvement.
* Ability to manage complex priorities under pressure, especially in multicultural teams.
* Experience in digital environments, working with internationally distributed teams across time zones.
* Ability to coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
* Adaptability and flexibility in dynamic and changing contexts.
* Availability for international travel.
4. Personal autonomy
* To have sufficient mastery of a literacy code (Braille, audio, or adapted visual format), in line with the needs of the position, and to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the required optical and assistive (tiflotechnological) devices.
* To have sufficient personal mobility autonomy, including the appropriate use of orientation and mobility techniques (white cane or other supports), enabling safe and effective movement across a variety of work environments.
Preferred
* Lived experience of disability or close affiliation with the disability rights movement.
* Proficiency in another official UN language (e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese).
* Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in International Development, Human Rights, Political Science, Disability Studies, or related fields.
Salary
* The salary will consist of a fixed component, in line with the experience and responsibilities of the position, and a variable component linked to the achievement of objectives previously established by the organization.
* The variable component will be determined based on defined performance indicators, periodically assessed and aligned with the priorities and expected outcomes of the role.
Legal Notice
This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities associated with this position. However, the employee acknowledges that additional tasks may be assigned as necessary to support organizational objectives. These tasks will be relevant to the role and aligned with WBU's operational needs. The described functions may evolve to reflect changes in priorities and organizational needs. This document does not constitute an employment contract, and WBU reserves the right to make reasonable modifications.
Conditions and Application
Interested candidates should submit their CV, cover letter, and contact details for three referees. Blind or partially sighted persons are strongly encouraged to apply.
* Applications to: Santosh Kumar Rungta, WBU President
santosh.kumarrungta@wbu.ngo cc info@wbu.ngo
* Format: MS Word (inaccessible files will be rejected)
* Application deadline: June 12, 2026
* Start date: To be negotiated