Rethinking Executive Search: When to go end‑to‑end, go modular, or go in‑house
Leadership hiring in the development sector is under intense pressure. MDBs, multilaterals and NGOs face funding volatility, revised mandates, localisation priorities and growing donor scrutiny. At the same time, senior roles are becoming more complex – especially those tied to innovative funding, public–private partnerships and cross‑sector collaboration. Senior appointments in our sector typically […]
Mastering Competency-Based Interviews: A practical guide for global development leaders and candidates
In a sector defined by change: volatile funding, shifting donor priorities, localisation, and rising expectations for measurable impact, more professionals are exploring new roles while organisations seek leaders who can deliver results fast. To support both sides, we’ve created a practical guide to help you prepare effectively for interviews, with a focus on competency‑ and […]
Resilient leadership: lessons from women’s health innovation
In my executive search work at SRI Executive, I have the privilege of speaking with leaders shaping the future of women’s health. Through these conversations, often with those working in pharmaceutical, biotech, and global health organisations, I’ve seen first-hand how innovation has persisted against the odds. Their stories reveal not only scientific progress but also […]
The Road to the Top: Critical Skills Every Future Executive Needs
Climbing the career ladder to an executive role is no small feat. Discover the essential skills that will set you apart on your journey to the top. Introduction As the leading executive search and leadership consulting firm in the global development space, SRI Executive works with many current and emerging executives. These individuals often […]
Bridging Purpose and Power: What global development leaders are teaching us about the future of partnerships
Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in candid, in-depth conversations with senior leaders working at the intersection of agriculture, biodiversity, and climate-resilient development. These interviews revealed to me how rapidly and fundamentally the nature of partnerships is changing. What stood out wasn’t just the scale of the challenges […]
Navigating Risk Management in Executive Search
Recruiting and integrating executive leaders is one of the most impactful decisions for any organisation. An effective executive search process has the power to reshape an organisation’s strategy, enhance its culture and increase its impact. Conversely, a poor process can freeze operations, impact reputation, and damage employee morale. One reason these searches are […]
Urgency for Change: Organisational responses to shifting funding and political landscapes
The global development sector faces significant challenges, and many organisations are unsure how to respond. To better understand organisational responses, SRI Executive, a leading Executive Search and Consulting practice, invited over 150 board chairs, board members, and senior executives of international NGOs to share their perspectives. These were large organisations: 45% have […]
Unlocking leadership potential: Understanding emotional intelligence in recruitment, succession planning, and development in the global development sector
What if the missing link in your leadership pipeline isn’t experience or expertise, but emotional intelligence? In a sector as complex and people-driven as global development, organisations increasingly recognise that their mission’s success hinges on more than just technical competence. Effective leadership, emotional resilience, cultural agility and team cohesion are critical to delivering […]
Navigating the Evolving Funding Landscape: Strategies for INGOs
This is a time of extensive change in the global development sector, particularly in the funding landscape. Across our Executive Search and Consulting work, we are seeing the impacts of these shifts on leaders and their organisations. So, how are INGOs adjusting to this new landscape? How can SRI Executive help you in this transition? […]
Transformational Leadership – Should we fear change?
Change is an inevitability, a certainty. No matter what we do, we cannot prevent change from happening. However, we can control how we respond to it. As funding cuts, conflict and new approaches to foreign relations upend the status quo of global development, it would be easy for organisations to cling to established […]