Building Stronger Futures Through Charity Leadership
A Pilot with Save the Children, South Sudan
At Mojo Coaching and Leadership, we see charity leadership as the work of equipping people with the skills, confidence, and resilience to lead in some of the most complex environments in the world.
Our recent pilot with Save the Children in South Sudan is a strong example of how leadership development can create lasting change. The aim was clear: to support the nationalisation of leadership by building the capacity of 23 local leaders through context-specific coaching and training.
Why Context Matters in Charity Leadership
Leadership development doesn’t work if it’s lifted straight from a textbook. For NGOs and charities, the reality on the ground is often unpredictable. Resources are stretched, and cultural dynamics shape how decisions are made.
That’s why this programme was designed with national leaders, not for them. Collaborative design gave participants ownership of their learning, aligned the work with local realities, and ensured that the tools they gained could be applied immediately to their own teams and communities.
The Impact: From Training Room to Community
The 23 leaders who took part were shaping their own futures as charity leaders. Many spoke about how the programme helped them:
Build confidence in interacting with government officials
Strengthen their role as community role models
See leadership as a tool for national rebuilding
Inspire others within their organisations and communities to step forward
This ripple effect is what makes charity leadership development so powerful. It doesn’t stop with individuals; it influences teams, communities, and entire systems.
Learning Along the Way
No leadership programme runs without surprises. In South Sudan, something as simple as a planned breakfast not arriving reminded us of the need to be flexible and responsive. When unpredictability is the norm, adaptability becomes part of the leadership lesson.
This pilot reinforced that successful leadership training is about so much more than just the content of the programme. It’s also about how you hold the space, respond to context, and adapt in the moment.
Charity Leadership for the Future
This work with Save the Children showed that charity leadership development is most effective when it’s:
Rooted in the cultural and organisational context
Co-created with national leaders for greater ownership
Focused on both immediate skills and long-term capacity
Flexible enough to adapt to real-world challenges
By building leadership this way we’re strengthening the foundations of organisations and, ultimately, the communities they serve.
Final Thoughts
Charity and NGO leaders face enormous pressure. They need more than technical skills - they need resilience, confidence, and the ability to work through complex, often unpredictable challenges.
At Mojo Coaching and Leadership, we’re committed to supporting this vital work. Because when leaders thrive, organisations thrive, and so do the communities they serve.
Head to our charity leadership page or contact us to see how we can help you.