Executive Director

About CommonAct

CommonAct is a nonprofit organization based in Bangladesh working for environmental sustainability and socio-economic development. We put communities at the center turning evidence into action that strengthens livelihoods, protects the environment, and builds a more equitable future.

Bangladesh faces some of the world's most acute climate risks, compounding deep-rooted economic inequality. We work on the frontlines of that reality. Through research-driven programs, community-led innovation, and youth-powered social ventures, we design solutions that are tested, scaled, and built to last.

Our approach is grounded in three commitments:

→ Breaking cycles of socio-economic inequality

→ Reducing climate risk for vulnerable communities

→ Expanding access to opportunity and resilient livelihoods

We believe lasting change requires more than good intentions — it demands accountability, cooperation, and systems that continue to work long after a project ends.

The Role

The Executive Director will provide overall leadership for CommonAct and work with the Board and core team to turn the organization's strategy into execution.

This is a hands-on role. The Executive Director will help set priorities, coordinate the team, develop partnerships, support fundraising, and ensure that CommonAct's programs and operations move forward.

The role is currently unpaid because CommonAct is still building its funding base. We are looking for someone who understands the organization's current stage and is interested in contributing to its development over the longer term.

Key Responsibilities

1. Organizational Leadership

1. Work with the Board to define and execute CommonAct's strategic priorities.
2. Translate organizational goals into practical plans, timelines, and responsibilities.
3. Maintain focus on a small number of meaningful priorities rather than spreading the organization too thin.
4. Help develop CommonAct's internal systems, policies, and ways of working.
5. Represent CommonAct in relevant external meetings, events, and partnerships.

2. Program and Research Development

1. Work with the team to develop CommonAct's research and intervention pipeline.
2. Support the identification of problems that warrant further research or action.
3. Ensure that projects are grounded in evidence, community realities, and a clear theory of change.
4. Review progress and help teams turn research findings into practical next steps.
5. Maintain quality and strategic coherence across CommonAct's programs.

3. Team Leadership

1. Coordinate the core team, volunteers, fellows, and project leads where applicable.
2. Clarify responsibilities and expectations across the organization.
3. Create a working culture where people are expected to take ownership rather than wait for instructions.
4. Support team members in developing their skills and taking on greater responsibility.
5. Recruit additional volunteers, staff, advisors, or collaborators when needed.

4. Partnerships and External Relations

1. Develop relationships with organizations, researchers, funders, institutions, and other potential partners.
2. Identify opportunities for collaboration that are relevant to CommonAct's strategy.
3. Represent CommonAct professionally in external communications and meetings.
4. Build relationships that can provide knowledge, technical support, funding, or opportunities for CommonAct's work.

5. Fundraising and Organizational Sustainability

1. Work with the team to identify appropriate funding opportunities.
2. Lead or support grant applications and fundraising efforts.
3. Help develop a sustainable financial model for CommonAct.
4. Maintain a realistic understanding of the organization's financial capacity.
5. Ensure that fundraising supports the organization's strategy rather than determining it.

6. Governance and Accountability

1. Work closely with the Board of Directors and provide regular updates on organizational progress.
2. Support transparent decision-making and responsible use of resources.
3. Track key organizational priorities, commitments, and deliverables.
4. Ensure that CommonAct operates responsibly and maintains appropriate organizational standards.

What We Are Looking For

We are not necessarily looking for someone with a long nonprofit career. This role may be suitable for someone who has demonstrated leadership through work, research, entrepreneurship, student organizations, community initiatives, or other meaningful projects.

Strong candidates will typically demonstrate:

1. Strong ownership and the ability to work independently.
2. Good judgment and the ability to prioritize.
3. Clear written and verbal communication.
4. Experience leading people, projects, or organizations.
5. An interest in research, social impact, environmental issues, economic development, or related areas.
6. The ability to turn broad ideas into concrete plans and actions.
7. Comfort working in an early-stage organization where systems are still being built.
8. Willingness to take responsibility when things are unclear or difficult.
9. Professionalism when working with partners, funders, board members, and team members.

Strategic thinking matters, but execution matters just as much. CommonAct does not need someone who can produce impressive strategy documents and then disappear into the fog of nonprofit bureaucracy.

What You Will Get

Although the position is currently unpaid, the Executive Director will have the opportunity to:

1. Help shape the direction of a young organization from an early stage.
2. Work directly on research, programs, partnerships, and organizational development.
3. Build practical leadership and management experience.
4. Work with CommonAct's Board, partners, researchers, and external organizations.
5. Develop experience in nonprofit strategy, fundraising, program development, and organizational management.
6. Build a substantial body of work and leadership experience through real organizational responsibilities.

As CommonAct's funding and organizational capacity develop, compensation and formal employment arrangements may be introduced for suitable leadership roles. Any future compensation will depend on available funding and the organization's financial position and will not be guaranteed as part of this appointment.

Important Note About the Commitment

This is currently an unpaid leadership position. Candidates should only apply if they are comfortable contributing their time under this arrangement.

The expected commitment is approximately 8–12 hours per week, although the workload may vary depending on organizational priorities and ongoing projects.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can commit for at least 12 months, while understanding that personal, academic, and professional commitments may change.

How We Work

CommonAct is still an early-stage organization. The person joining as Executive Director should therefore expect to work across functions rather than operate within a narrow job description.

Some weeks may involve strategy and team management. Other weeks may involve reviewing a research proposal, meeting a potential partner, preparing a grant application, solving an operational problem, or helping a project team get unstuck.

The ability to move between strategic thinking and practical execution is important.