JOB DESCRIPTION

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 such as child marriage 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 lead the development and execution of high impact, evidencebased strategies and plans that ensure CIFF Africa’s Girl Capital ambition is realized and delivers transformational and lasting change in the area of Child Marriage. In addition, the role-holder will be required to manage and mentor a team of Managers and Analysts, to develop their capacity in effectively managing programmes, deliver quality outputs, and furthering the broader aims and goals of the CIFF Africa strategy and priorities.

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, particularly in the area of Child Marriage.
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, in the area of Child Marriage.
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.

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 procedures, in accordance with organisation’s appropriate the frameworks and guidance, to enable the development of rigorous evidence and analysis that supports CIFF’s advocacy, scaling-up and mainstreaming agendas, specifically within the area of Child Marriage.
As a recognised subject-matter expert, provide casework advice, specialist guidance and mentoring support to colleagues (within and beyond the team) to deepen the skills, capability and professionalism of the organization in the area of Child Marriage. • Seek out leveraged and co-funding to support the scale up of successful programmes in collaboration with the Co-Funding and Partnerships (For Africa By Africa) pillar team.
Identify and implement improved ways of working that increase operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Sector knowledge and profile-building

Actively participate in and contribute to CIFF Africa field building, thought leadership and awareness raising, particularly in the area of Child Marriage.
Ensure that Girl Capital Africa”s Ending Child Marriage work is shaped by up-to-date insights and evidence by proactively maintaining extensive external networks with experts and opinion-formers within the sector and continent.
Undertake or commission sector-relevant research and analysis to inform the effective development, delivery and evaluation of programmes and initiatives related to Child Marriage.

Stakeholder and partner management

Build and nurture strategic and mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders and partners including governments and line ministries, co-funders, regional bodies to support the achievement of Africa Girl Capital as well as broader CIFF Africa goals
Advise and support more junior colleagues in identifying, negotiating with and managing appropriate programme partners (as required), to enable CIFF to maximise its philanthropic impact through effective collaboration.
Proactively contribute to growing CIFF Africa”s strategic grantee and partner base with a view to growing the proportion of local grantees within the portfolio related to Child Marriage.

Leadership of the team

Provide inspiring and motivational leadership that role models CIFF”s values and behaviours and empowers and enables staff to deliver excellence.
As a member of the CIFF Africa Leadership Team: provide high level programmatic updates; participate in troubleshooting Africa-wide portfolio challenges; contribute to decision making on improved ways of working, staff welfare and boosting and maintaining morale

Requirements

Skills & Experience

Recognised as a subject-matter expert (as evidenced via publications and/or previous programme delivery) in Child Marriage preferably with an extensive track record working in one of CIFF”s priority geographies.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of the African context
Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning
Excellent people leadership skills and proven ability to motivate, develop and hold to account a small- to medium-sized teams of professionals
Ability to think critically and analytically to draw sound conclusions on the basis of complex data.
Proven success in building and maintaining strategic relationships and working in partnership; has highly developed influencing and negotiation skills, and effectively collaborates to deliver maximum impact
Strong management skills with a background of leading, inspiring and empowering others, plus demonstrable experience of supporting workplace diversity.
Proven track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships and working in partnership.
Experience of identifying and delivering business process improvements.
High-level of financial literacy.

Key working relationships

CIFF Board and PIC members
Other CIFF Africa pillar teams
CIFF Global sector and support teams, including: SRHR, CEDO, India and Operations and Support teams such as Finance, Legal and HR.
Global institutional partners/stakeholders, Funders, African Philanthropies
National governments, regional bodies, and local NGO partners in priority geographies
Research and academic institutions active within sector specialism

Management dimensions

Responsibility for personal pipeline and delivery targets, in addition to those for direct reports
Contributes to the effective performance of the sector’s whole portfolio

Benefits

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following:

Annual leave – 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service to a maximum of 30 days.
Bonus – CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme.
Pension
Private medical insurance
Training allowance
Wellbeing allowance
Life insurance

The closing date for this role is on or before Friday, August 29 2025 ; CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements