Executive Director / President, Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence

As the domestic violence homicide rate continues to rise in Massachusetts, fewer abusers are receiving effective treatment, intervention resources are decreasing and survivors are turned away from shelters at an alarming rate. The Asian population in Greater Boston has increased by 70 percent over the past decade leaving a population with limited or no English skills few places to turn. Newly arrived Asian immigrants live in fear of job loss and deportation if they attempt to escape the tragedy of domestic violence. Compounding these fears are traditional Asian values emphasizing close family harmony, strong respect for authority, shame and honor. For these survivors, the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK) is a safe haven offering a cultural home, a sanctuary from violence and hope for the future. ATASK, a leading nonprofit domestic violence agency devoted to eliminating family violence and strengthening Asian families and communities for almost 15 years, now seeks nominations and applications for a dynamic new Executive Director/President to lead its next phase of growth and development.

Reporting to the Board of Directors via the Chair, the Executive Director/President has overall responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, financial and managerial operations of the organization. In partnership with the Board, s/he will provide leadership, vision and direction in developing a strategic plan, designing effective program initiatives and implementing policies to enhance the organization’s ability to achieve its unique mission. The ideal candidate will have 10 years senior leadership experience; be a visionary and strategic thinker poised to lead ATASK to the next organizational level; possess a deep understanding of Asian American culture and traditions; and marry strong business management skills and acumen with the compassion necessary to lead an organization committed to improving the lives of families and ending the cycle of domestic violence in the Boston area and beyond. This is an outstanding opportunity for an entrepreneur with the determination, passion and sophistication to capitalize on ATASK’s sound financial base and strong community reputation.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK) has been working to eliminate family violence and strengthen Asian families and communities since 1994. Founded to address the inadequate resources available to Asian survivors of domestic violence, ATASK has managed New England’s only multilingual emergency shelter, advocacy services, outreach efforts and educational programs for families and their children. A leader in educating and mobilizing social service organizations and the broader public on domestic violence issues specific to Asian communities, ATASK’s work serves as a model in Massachusetts, throughout the United States and across the globe. Advocates and staff from other domestic violence programs in California, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan have looked to ATASK’s unique family-centered approach as a model for rendering services to individuals and families. With over forty distinct Asian languages and cultures represented in the Greater Boston area, ATASK provides linguistically and culturally accessible resources, outreach, education, prevention and direct services to Asian American families in need.

ATASK works to accomplish its mission by providing direct services and shelter; creating an environment of intolerance to domestic violence; forging collaborations; and fostering leadership and strong advocacy for, social, economic and political change with regard to domestic violence and other critical issues that affect Asian families and communities. ATASK is dedicated to providing all survivors of domestic violence with individualized and culturally appropriate support, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or educational level. ATASK’s work extends beyond immediate assistance in crisis situations and is grounded in the belief that through education and advocacy domestic violence can be prevented. ATASK raises awareness about the prevalence and cultural origins of domestic violence and works in partnership with organizations, both regionally and around the world, who share its goals.

ATASK’s staff is sensitive to the cultural and ethnic differences of their diverse clients. Representing the rich diversity of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, ATASK’s primarily first-generation staff members speak more than thirteen Asian languages and dialects and deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate care, intervention and support to best address the needs of their clients. Advocates provide services in the following languages: Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and Toisanese), Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

To fulfill its unique mission of strengthening Asian families and communities, ATASK offers various programs and services including:

Emergency Shelter
Established in 1994, ATASK’s emergency shelter is New England's first and only domestic violence program for Asian survivors of domestic violence. It provides a 24-hour multilingual hotline, crisis intervention and temporary housing for families transitioning to permanent housing and a violence-free environment. The residential program offers clients a safe, welcoming and culturally sensitive setting that meets the linguistic needs of Asian survivors.

Community-Based Services
Closely connected with the emergency shelter, these nonresidential services include advocacy, support, information and referrals to assist residential and nonresidential clients. The Life Skills/English for Speakers of Other Languages Program assists in clients’ successful adaptation to life in the United States. A new legal advocacy services component will offer clients immediate legal attention and coordinated care.

Children’s Program
This program includes child and parent focused elements designed to address the complex needs of children who have experienced domestic violence. Activities include monthly excursions, individual and group counseling, referrals and a new art therapy program.

Lowell Asian Project Against Domestic Violence
This satellite program in Lowell, Massachusetts primarily serves Asian survivors of domestic violence in the Cambodian and South Asian communities in Greater Lowell. The Lowell Project integrates direct services with prevention, outreach, community organizing and education.

Education and Outreach Program
This program aims to reduce the tolerance of domestic violence, encourages collaboration with other service providers and promotes community organizing in preventing family violence. Activities include the Multicultural Immigrant Coalition Against Violence, educational workshops and outreach events.

Annual Silk Road Gala
Known as the premier event in the Boston Asian American community, ATASK’s annual Silk Road Gala capitalizes on the Board’s broad connections both in Boston’s Asian American community and among business and government leaders across Massachusetts. The signature event celebrates Boston’s diverse Asian American community and highlights the tremendous impact ATASK’s work has on the lives of Asian families throughout the region. The Gala is an exceptionally well branded event which supports ATASK’s programs and advocacy efforts in excess of 15 percent annually.

With an operational budget of approximately $2.5 million in fiscal year 2008, ATASK currently employs 30 deeply committed staff (two-thirds are full time) and is led by an active and well connected nine-member Board of Directors. As ATASK celebrates its 15th year of service, it seeks a strong and entrepreneurial leader to move ATASK into its next exciting chapter expanding its positive impact on the lives of Asians in the Boston area and beyond.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACING THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As ATASK marks its 15th year of service to the Asian community, it seeks fresh leadership and new direction. The new Executive Director will capitalize on this auspicious time in the organization’s history and will work closely with the staff and Board of Directors on strategic planning, financial management, staff and board development, fundraising, program development and implementation, marketing and community outreach. Within the first 12-18 months the new Executive Director will face the following opportunities and challenges:

Leading an organization-wide strategic planning process to chart the organization’s future directions.
The new Executive Director will lead a comprehensive organization-wide strategic planning process in partnership with the Board and staff which will outline an effective growth plan that harnesses its broad potential and fulfills its ambitious mission. S/he will collaborate with the Board and staff to create work plans and align staff and board resources to attain these strategic goals and will anticipate changing community needs with vision and imagination.

Assessing and building the capacity of staff at all levels of the organization.
The Executive Director will implement best practices in human resources management, performance review, program management, evaluation and staff coaching. S/he will assess ATASK’s staffing levels and structure, building on the strengths of high performing staff and enhancing and adjusting staffing levels in critical areas based on programmatic and organizational needs. S/he will promote and model a positive atmosphere of open communication, shared responsibility, integrity and trust to a committed and passionate staff team. S/he will motivate and encourage by demonstrating a deep respect for and commitment to Asian American values and cultural traditions and the emotional investment domestic violence staff members make to their job.

Strengthening internal organizational management structures to ensure maximum utilization of agency resources.
With an eye toward ensuring ATASK’s long term financial health, the Executive Director will develop and implement comprehensive financial accounting, reporting and budgeting processes. S/he will identify and secure resources to strengthen the administrative and financial department, including professional development opportunities. S/he will balance business acumen with thoughtful management of human and fiscal capital in developing human resource policies and financial management controls.

Spearheading fundraising efforts that capitalize upon ATASK’s strong Board support and expertise.
Working in partnership with the Board, the Executive Director will formulate and implement a development plan which effectively stewards existing individual and institutional donors while expanding development prospects through the annual giving campaign, planned giving, a potential capital campaign and endowment funds to strengthen operating reserves. S/he will ensure that development efforts are aligned with strategic planning efforts, program needs and deliverables.

Overseeing the design, implementation and evaluation of agency programs.
The new Executive Director will refine agency priorities to adapt to the changing needs of its constituency. S/he will determine expansion, growth and collaborative opportunities and implement necessary steps to reach these goals, aligning program implementation with program budgets and development efforts. S/he will lead the staff in implementing a program evaluation process that ensures the highest quality and effective delivery of programs through qualitative and quantitative analysis which informs and shapes future programmatic efforts.

Continuing to develop a strong board through effective governance policy and succession planning.
Building on a strong foundation, the Executive Director will continue to develop the Board of Directors by ensuring their active engagement in the mission and governance of the organization. S/he will strive to delineate and clarify board governance and staff operational roles to ensure ATASK meets its fullest potential. S/he will work in partnership with the Board to cultivate new Board prospects and expansion plans ensuring strong future leadership to guide ATASK’s long term financial and governance health.

Building brand identity and recognition among the community, stakeholders and supporters that will lead to new and effective collaborations.
The Executive Director will serve as the public face of the organization acting as the primary liaison between ATASK and the community. S/he will lead collaborative efforts with state and local government, schools, colleges and universities, neighborhood organizations, community representatives, foundations, corporations and the media. S/he will oversee marketing and public relations efforts to raise ATASK’s profile and brand position as the leader in providing support services to survivors of domestic violence in the Asian community.

Strengthen internal communications to maximize programmatic efforts and build unified direction between board members and staff.
The Executive Director will build culturally sensitive communications models that capitalize on the commitment and expertise of the agency’s staff and Board. S/he will lead team building and communications strategies that build internal rapport and support behind the mission. S/he will inspire trust and confidence by effectively articulating a vision and motivating others to help implement it while ensuring that the necessary resources are in place to support the vision.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF CIP DIRECTOR

This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial, strategic and visionary leader with strong managerial and fundraising skills to guide a powerful and effective agency through its next stage of development. Responsible for all aspects of the agency’s operations, the new Executive Director will be a passionate and articulate advocate for the agency and its diverse constituency balancing cultural sensitivity and business savvy. S/he will have a minimum of 10 years senior management experience, a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s level preferred), or the equivalent combination of training and expertise acquired in the course of a progressive career of outstanding accomplishment. While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences:

Exceptional operational and managerial skills in key functional areas of financial management, human resources and work plan development. Demonstrated experience implementing policies, procedures and financial controls to strengthen nonprofit operations.
Compassionate understanding of the domestic violence field and its impact on individuals, families and societies. Sensitivity to the trauma domestic violence inflicts on the whole family and surrounding community and its intersection with the strong family values held within the Asian cultural context.
Knowledge and understanding of Asian cultures and diversity through demonstrated experience working within the Asian community as well as other diversity dimensions such as race, ethnicity, culture, ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious, socio-economic and political affiliations. Bilingual ability in an Asian language not required, but preferred.
Proven ability to direct actions to achieve results. A model of integrity and hard work which sets high expectations for self and others. Competence to command attention, respect and act as a catalyst for change and continuous improvement. Adeptness to clarify roles and responsibilities and provide clear direction and priorities.
Demonstrated ability to build a staff culture of high performance and accountability while inspiring, motivating and empowering staff to reach their fullest potential in manner that fosters a positive and productive team environment.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills. Sophistication and confidence necessary to be the organization’s public face paired with the emotional astuteness and humility to navigate the psychological challenges facing survivors of domestic violence and the staff who seeks to improve their lives.
Ability to establish strong alliances and partnerships to achieve targeted results. Facility to organize people and resources for maximum productivity and the negotiation skills to forge positive alliances on ATASK’s behalf. Possess an enterprising and entrepreneurial mindset acting on opportunities that further the interests of the organization.

TO APPLY

More information about the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence may be found at: http://www.atask.org/.

Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to:

atask-ed@nonprofitprofessionals.com.
In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.

The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women and candidates of color are encouraged to apply.

Boston • Moscow • New York • Washington, DC

Exceptional operational and managerial skills in key functional areas of financial management, human resources and work plan development. Demonstrated experience implementing policies, procedures and financial controls to strengthen nonprofit operations.

Demonstrated ability to build a staff culture of high performance and accountability while inspiring, motivating and empowering staff to reach their fullest potential in manner that fosters a positive and productive team environment.