Examining Leadership Challenges in Non-Governmental Organizations: Evidence from NGOs Operating in East Africa

Abstract

The world is changing and the sweeping changes in society, nations and organizations, rumbling shifts in globalization, technology and changing demographics has given rise to new ways of leading organizations. Similarly, the evolving development and humanitarian landscape is posing profound challenges, in terms of the increasing complexity of major crises and their impact on affected people, leadership gaps and the changes within the sector itself. The most important obligation of leadership in the realization of organizational objectives is to create appropriate environment and conditions for the employees to perform to their full potential. Leaders in organization splay an important role as social architects by creating vision and strategic direction, influencing their team, establishing culture and values to achieve organizational goals. This paper examined the challenges of leadership in this particular sector by gathering information and data from 35 INGOs through interviews and desk research and interrogating the recruitment and selection of leadership; managing performance and ethical conducts;  developing and retaining talent, managing multicultural teams and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and provide recommendations on how the INGO leadership should address the challenges by providing empowering proposals and referencing relevant leadership theories and competencies. To be effective, INGOs need leaders who can identify and deliver on organizational goals effectively and engage wide range of stakeholders. The importance thereof and contributions of leadership in such contexts can never be underestimated. Apparently, a number of these organizations are already improving their leadership and it is hoped that the study will foster a more systematic comparison and identification of good practice.