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World Federation for Mental Health Call for Candidates for Secretary General

December 11, 2025

In accordance with Article VIII, the WFMH wishes to appoint a Secretary-General for the next two years.

Secretary General / Chief Executive Officer

The Secretary General/CEO shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the corporation, shall be employed by and responsible to the Board of Directors, and shall serve for such compensation and such period of time as may be mutually agreed upon. He/she shall be charged with the overall general management of the corporation, the direction of the corporation's secretariat, and the development and supervision of relationships with the organization’s voting and non-voting membership.

The following are the specific responsibilities:

  1. Be in contact as often as required with the President, Treasurer, Corporate Secretary, Vice-President for Constituency Development, and Vice- President for Program Development.
  2. Serve as center of communications between various officers, members of the Board and committees.
  3. Publish newsletters covering significant news collected from member associations, vice presidents, governments and related associations.
  4. Maintain membership files and send out annual dues’ notices.
  5. Be in close contact with and support representatives to and of the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
  6. To the extent time and funds permit, take part in conferences, congresses and other meetings and obtain or produce reports and publications emanating from such meetings for circulation as appropriate.
  7. Provide leadership in co-operation with the President for program planning and financial (fundraising/budget).
  8. Be responsible for hiring and supervision of all other staff, in consultation with the

President, in accordance with the budget and related policies adopted by the Board.

  1. Act as secretary at, and keep the minutes of, the meetings of the Assembly and Board and cause the same to be recorded in books provided for that purpose.
  2. Give proper notice of all meetings of the Assembly, Board and Executive Committee in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law.
  3. Serve as custodian of the records of the corporation and of the corporate seal/logo and see that the seal/logo is affixed to all documents, the executive of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal/logo shall have been duly authorized, and attest the seal when so fixed.
  4. Maintain all books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept or filed.
  5. Perform all other duties placed upon them by law, these Bylaws and general practice in non-profit corporations.

The Secretary General/CEO shall have authority to make expenditures consistent with the provisions of the budget adopted by the Board. The Secretary General/CEO shall set the salaries for all other staff in accordance with personnel policies adopted by the Board. The Secretary General/CEO shall participate actively in the deliberations of the Board and Executive Committee and shall make him/herself available to serve with other committees to the extent that time and financial resources permit, but he/she shall not be a voting member of such committees.

Essential Requirements

  1. Competency in managing a US-based international NGO (the candidate does not have to be an American or reside in the United States)
  2. Track record of leadership in NGOs or Government institutions
  3. Ability to work with the WHO, the United Nations and other international organizations
  4. Understanding of the mission, vision, and activities of the WFMH
  5. Fundraising abilities
  6. Capability to manage budgets of $3 million and above
  7. A minimum of a degree in Leadership or Management from a reputable institution
  8. Ability to work with the WFMH President, WFMH Board, EC, and other Stakeholders
  9. Availability of half a day, 5 times per week, for the work as the WFMH Secretary General.

Remuneration

  1. There will be no salary reimbursement for this position.
  2. The payment of the non-salary expenses needed for the work as Secretary General will require approval of the treasurer and the president.

Eligibility for Consideration:

The candidate for the Secretary-General must:

  1. Be in complete agreement with and willing to promote the vision, mission, goals, and strategic objectives of the WFMH.
  2. Have signed the attached agreement of understanding and expectations of the WFMH Board membership.
  3. Have no known conflicts of interest (personally or professionally) that would prevent active service as the WFMH Secretary General.
  4. Confirm being not subject to any of the following:
    • A professional under investigation for professional misconduct or in breach of appropriate professional standards by the relevant professional body.
    • A subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim order.
    • Dismissed or removed from any NGO role.
    • Have had an earlier term of appointment terminated.
  5. Submit a personal statement of a maximum of 1,000 words outlining:
    • The reason for the interest in serving as the WFMH Secretary General.
    • Areas to contribute to the functioning and betterment of the WFMH and the specific skills to be brought to the WFMH.
    • Relevant experience in mental health advocacy, education, and awareness, and personal experience.
    • Experience of representation of other organizations.
    • Capacity to respond to email communications related to the Secretary General role within three working days.
    • Capacity to keep an accurate track of communications. It is essential that the Secretary General can trace all relevant emails to ensure efficient communication with WFMH members.
    • Capacity to be flexible with the time setting of the virtual meetings. The Secretary General is expected to participate in all important WFMH meetings. The flexibility and capacity to schedule meetings to accommodate the convenience of other attendants is essential to performing the duties of the Secretary General. This may mean that some virtual meetings are held early in the morning or late at night for the Secretary General.

Submission

All completed and signed documents should be sent until January, 5 2026 by Email to the WFMH Secretariat and the WFMH President at the following address: Deborah Maguire dmag4@yahoo.com and sabine.baehrer@datacomm.ch.

APPLICATION FORM

Name:
Position or title:
Employer or organization:
E-mail:
Phone (include country code):
Preferred mailing address:
Headshot photograph

PERSONAL STATEMENT (up to 1,000 words)

  1. The reason for the interest in serving as the WFMH Secretary General.
  2. Areas to contribute to the functioning and betterment of the WFMH and the specific skills to be brought to the WFMH.
  3. Relevant experience in mental health advocacy, education, and awareness, and personal experience.
  4. Experience of representation of other organizations.
  5. Capacity to respond to email communications related to the Secretary General role within three working days.
  6. Capacity to keep an accurate track of communications. It is essential that the Secretary General can trace all relevant emails to ensure efficient communication with WFMH members.
  7. Capacity to be flexible with the time setting of the virtual meetings. The Secretary General is expected to participate in all important WFMH meetings. The flexibility and capacity to schedule meetings to accommodate the convenience of other attendants is essential to performing the duties of the Secretary General. This may mean that some virtual meetings are held early in the morning or late at night for the Secretary General.

DECLARATION

I confirm the following:
(Please tick each box that applies to you)

  • I am not a professional who is under investigation for professional misconduct, or is in breach of the appropriate professional standards by the relevant professional body
  • I am not the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order
  • I have not been dismissed or removed from any NGO role
  • I have not had an earlier term of appointment terminated

Signature

Date