Girls Not Brides has officially opened applications for a new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition for the global partnership working to end child marriage and advance girls’ rights worldwide.

The application deadline for the role is 15 July 2026.

The organisation is seeking a senior global leader with strong experience in gender equality, international development, and multi-stakeholder engagement to guide its next phase of strategic growth and impact.

Global Leadership Role Focused on Ending Child Marriage

Girls Not Brides stated that the incoming Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for leading the organisation through a critical period of global advocacy, policy influence, and partnership expansion.

The role is designed for an accomplished external-facing leader capable of operating across diverse international environments and influencing high-level decision-making processes.

Key expectations for the position include:

Leading global strategy to end child marriage
Strengthening international advocacy and partnerships
Representing the organisation in global policy spaces
Driving collaboration with governments and civil society
Expanding funding and institutional support
Ensuring organisational alignment with its mission and values

The organisation emphasised its commitment to accelerating progress toward a future free from child marriage.

Organisation Seeks Experienced Global Development Leader

Girls Not Brides is looking for a candidate with deep expertise in girls’ rights, gender equality, or related development fields.

The ideal candidate is expected to demonstrate:

Strong political judgement and strategic leadership
Experience engaging governments, funders, and multilateral organisations
Strong relationship-building and diplomatic skills
Credibility across grassroots and international platforms
A strong values-driven commitment to gender equality

The organisation highlighted that the role requires both strategic vision and the ability to navigate complex global systems involving cultural, political, and institutional stakeholders.

Leadership Emphasis on Collaboration and Inclusion

The Chief Executive Officer will be expected to work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including grassroots organisations, faith leaders, policymakers, and international development partners.

Girls Not Brides emphasised that collective action remains central to its mission, with the CEO expected to strengthen partnerships across sectors and regions.

Key areas of focus include:

Strengthening global partnerships and networks
Supporting national and community-level initiatives
Amplifying the voices of girls and affected communities
Coordinating multi-sector advocacy campaigns
Driving inclusive and sustainable change

The organisation noted that ending child marriage requires coordinated global action and long-term commitment.

Interim Leadership Ensures Organisational Stability

As the recruitment process begins, the organisation has appointed Amanda Austin and Lara van Kouterik as Interim Co-Chief Executive Officers.

They will provide:

Organisational stability during leadership transition
Continuity of strategic programmes
Ongoing support for global partnerships
Operational oversight and coordination

Girls Not Brides stated that the interim leadership arrangement will ensure stability while the search for a permanent CEO is underway.

Global Mission to End Child Marriage

Girls Not Brides is a global partnership dedicated to ending child marriage and enabling girls to reach their full potential through education, health, and empowerment.

Its work focuses on:

Ending harmful traditional practices affecting girls
Promoting access to education and opportunity
Strengthening legal and policy frameworks
Supporting community-led change
Advancing gender equality worldwide

The organisation continues to position itself as a leading global voice in girls’ rights advocacy.

Strategic Leadership Role at a Critical Time

The CEO appointment comes at a time when global attention on gender equality, child protection, and girls’ empowerment remains a key development priority.

The organisation stated that strong leadership will be essential to:

Sustain global momentum against child marriage
Strengthen advocacy in challenging political contexts
Mobilise funding and partnerships
Scale impact across regions and communities

Girls Not Brides encouraged qualified leaders and supporters to share the opportunity widely within global development and gender equality networks.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding