Director, Girl Capital - Africa

The main purpose of the role  

CIFF’s Africa strategy, envisages an Africa where girls have the health, economic opportunity and agency to contribute to a thriving and self-determining Africa. To do so, the strategy takes an integrated portfolio approach that layers interventions, addresses root causes and prioritises sustainability, execution excellence and localization. The CIFF Africa structure is designed to meet the demands of this ambition and is anchored to three strategic pillars: 1) For Africa, By Africa (FABA); 2) Resilient Communities; and 3) Girl Capital (the consolidation of Girls’ Choices – SRHR, Girl’s protection and wellbeing – GBV, Child Marriage and Girls’ Opportunities – Education, Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods).   

The purpose of this role is to contribute to the development and execution of high impact, evidence-based strategies and plans that ensure CIFF Africa’s Girl Capital ambition is realized and delivers transformational and lasting change 

And 

To manage and mentor a team of Managers and Analysts, developing their capacity in effectively managing programmes, delivering quality outputs, and furthering the broader aims and goals of the CIFF Africa strategy and priorities.

Management dimensions

• The role’s portfolio management will sit under the accountability of CIFF’s Director Girl Capital, Africa
• This role will have direct management oversight of Managers and an Analyst with a technical specialization in SRHR.

Role’s responsibilities

As a member of the Girl Capital Africa Senior Management Team (SMT)

• Take full and collective accountability for the development and implementation of Girl Capital priorities and plans, ensuring they are aligned to the Girl Capital strategy
• As a subject-matter expert in SRHR/child marriage or protection, provide up-to-date, professional advice to the Africa Leadership Team, CIFF Executive Team and CIFF Board on related issues, to support the development of strategies, policies and initiatives.
• Take the lead on corporate, cross-cutting initiatives and projects, as required by the Director & Pillar Lead - Girl Capital, Africa
• Provide compelling, consistent and united leadership which creates clarity for all staff in the Girl Capital pillar and builds a sense of shared accountability for its success and that of the organisation.
• Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the sector specialism, acting at all times as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the organisation’s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary and collaborative philanthropy.
• Deputise for the  Director & Pillar Lead - Girl Capital, Africa, as required.

Strategy & planning

• Build a pipeline of innovative, evidence-based and/or evidence-generating investments that further the aims and ambitions of Girl Capital Africa in transforming the design, delivery and support of girls’ agency  in CIFF Africa priority geographies
• Proactively seek out investment opportunities that integrate Girl Capital with other CIFF Africa pillar priorities, in support of shared higher-level outcomes
• Collaborate with broader CIFF teams to identify intersectional, sustainable approaches to delivering investments including but not limited to gender transformation and DEI
• Take a leadership role in coordinating the Girl Capital annual business planning process, identifying short, medium and long-term ambitions, and distilling these into annual objectives, key results and investment pipelines.

Programme development, delivery & performance

•  Oversee both the development of successful investment proposals and implementation of high- impact programmes by a team of Girl Capital Managers and Analysts, ensuring the quality, timeliness and strategic alignment of their work to strategic priorities and objectives.
• Allocate and monitor achievement of individual and team performance targets including but not limited to, new investment design, programme management (forecasting accuracy and disbursements), investment performance, personal development and progression.
• Conduct regular reviews of investment proposals under development and programmes in delivery, to monitor compliance with agreed due diligence and risk management protocols, ensuring the interests and reputation of the Foundation are appropriately and proportionately protected.  Intervene to take corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure all investment proposals and programmes are underpinned by appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes and procedu