📌 Position Title: Executive Director 📋 Type of Contract: Permanent · Full-time 📅 Contract Start Date: When recruited 📍 Location: Al Marsa, Tunis & Avenue Mahmoud Bourguiba, Monastir, Tunisia 🔖 Reference: ED-TIPCS-2026
🧠 ABOUT TIPCS
The Tunisian Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies (TIPCS) is a non-partisan, independent, non-profit civil society organisation and think-do tank registered under Tunisian law, under the direct supervisory authority of the Presidency of the Government (JORT No. 135, November 2022). Since 2016, TIPCS has been advancing peace and conflict studies, building trust across the southern Mediterranean, and developing evidence-based solutions to complex conflict dynamics across Tunisia, the Mediterranean, and the Sahel. With three permanent offices in Tunis, Monastir, and Djerba, TIPCS assembles a multidisciplinary team spanning environment, governance, youth, research, and technology to address today's interrelated development and security challenges.
🎯 ABOUT THE ROLE
Following the transition of the founding CEO, TIPCS is searching for its next Executive Director — a senior leader who will assume full operational, programmatic, financial, and representative authority over the institution, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will lead a 25,000+ beneficiary annual programme portfolio, an excellent grant track record, and strategic partnerships with SOAS London, Sciences Po Toulouse, MEDAC, UNESCO, UNDP, the EU, and AfDB — carrying TIPCS into the next chapter of its 4th Strategic Plan (2025–2030).
📋 RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for: — Strategic Leadership & Governance — - Translate Board vision into operational plans, institutional frameworks, and measurable targets - Ensure full legal compliance under Decree-Law 2011-88 and international NGO accountability standards - Provide the Board with timely financial, programmatic, and strategic reporting - Lead implementation of TIPCS's 4th Strategic Plan (2025–2030) across all departments
— Programmatic Direction & Implementation — - Direct the design, delivery, and quality assurance of all programmes across five departments: Peace-Building, Environmental Conflict, Youth Engagement, Research & Knowledge, and MEAL - Ensure systematic deployment of TIPCS's three proprietary methodologies: IDP, ECT, and the Digital Peace Incubator - Supervise research initiatives, policy publications, and TIPCS's conflict intelligence contributions - Oversee MEAL frameworks across all programme cycles, maintaining accountability to beneficiaries and donors
— Resource Mobilisation & Financial Oversight — - Lead institutional fundraising across EU frameworks, UN agencies, IsDB, AfDB, bilateral donors, and private foundations - Manage the full grant lifecycle — prospecting, proposal development, compliance, reporting, and audit readiness - Oversee TIPCS's consolidated operating budget with full fiduciary accountability - Coordinate with Expert-Comptable (CTHS) and external auditors (JAC Audit & Consulting)
— External Relations & Representation — - Represent TIPCS at international forums, policy dialogues, and multilateral engagements across Mediterranean, African, and global peace ecosystems - Develop and maintain strategic alliances with academic partners, UN agencies, EU institutions, and government bodies - Lead TIPCS's public communications strategy in Arabic, French, and English
— Team Leadership & Organisational Development — - Recruit, lead, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team across five departments and three offices - Design and implement staff performance management, professional development, and succession planning - Champion TIPCS's commitment to gender equity, youth leadership, and institutional inclusion
🎓 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
— Education & Professional Background — - Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in International Relations, Peace Studies, Development Economics, Public Policy, Law, or Political Science - Minimum 8 years of progressive senior leadership, including at least 3 years in an executive or deputy-executive role within an NGO, think tank, or international organisation - Verified track record in multi-donor grant management, particularly EU institutional funding frameworks - Deep knowledge of the Mediterranean, North African, or Sahelian peace and security landscape
— Leadership & Management Skills — - Proven capacity to lead complex, multi-site organisations in transitional or conflict-affected contexts - Strong financial management — budget oversight, donor compliance, audit coordination - Experience in board governance and fiduciary reporting to statutory oversight bodies - Track record of successful partnership development at bilateral, multilateral, and academic levels
— Language & Communication Skills — - Full professional fluency in Arabic and French — native or near-native level required - Strong English proficiency — minimum B2, C1 preferred - Capacity to produce policy documents, donor reports, and institutional communications in all three languages
— Technical & Strategic Competencies — - Mastery of project cycle management, results-based management (RBM), and MEAL frameworks - Proficiency in EU, UN, and bilateral grant writing, compliance, and reporting - Solid understanding of Tunisian legal frameworks for civil society organisations
— Personal Qualities & Values — - Absolute integrity and discretion in managing sensitive institutional information - Proactive, autonomous leadership with capacity to act without constant direction - Genuine commitment to TIPCS's founding mission — not as a professional choice, but as a personal conviction
— Additional Assets — - Existing network within Mediterranean, North African, or Sahelian peace and security ecosystems - Familiarity with UNESCO, EU Neighbourhood Policy, AU mechanisms, or CILSS/Sahel security architecture - Institutional fundraising track record beyond €500,000 per cycle
📬 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Send to HR@tipcs.org: - CV in English and French — with three professional references - Motivation letter — max 2 pages — your fit and strategic vision for TIPCS - Writing sample — 1 page — on Mediterranean cooperation, peace-building, conflict intelligence, or institutional leadership
📌 Subject line: "Application for ED-TIPCS-2026 – [Your Full Name] "
⚠️ Rolling basis — position may be filled before closing date. Apply immediately. Full ToR on request: HR@tipcs.org — Subject: "Request for ToR – ED-TIPCS-2026"
🎁 WHAT TIPCS OFFERS
- Permanent full mandate with direct authority over strategy, programmes, finance, and teams
- Leadership of an institution with a 10-year track record and a growing international footprint
- Impact on 25,000+ annual beneficiaries across Tunisia, the Mediterranean, and the Sahel
- Competitive compensation and performance-based incentives under Tunisian labour code
- Access to an established international network — SOAS, Sciences Po Toulouse, MEDAC, UNESCO, UNDP, EU, AfDB
- International training, academic conferences, and professional certification opportunities
📞 CONTACT & OFFICES
📧 HR@tipcs.org | 🌐 www.tipcs.org 📱 +216 95 137 237 (Mobile / WhatsApp / Telegram / Signal) ☎️ +216 73 553 915 🏢 Administrative HQ: 6 Impasse Tite-Live, Al Marsa 2070, Tunis 🏢 Main Office: Avenue Mahmoud Bourguiba, Monastir 5000 🏢 Environmental Studies Dept: Résidence El Besbes, B3-1, Monastir 5060 🏢 Libyan Affairs Office: Zone Touristique, Houmt Souk, Djerba 4128 🏢 HB-SSC: Ahmed Rokbani Building, 3rd Floor, Apt. 6, Monastir 5060 📮 Mailing: P.O. Box 241, La République, Monastir 5060
TIPCS values diversity and equal access. We particularly encourage applications from women and professionals from under-represented backgrounds in the Mediterranean and African peace and security landscape.