Background

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent philanthropic organisation headquartered in London with offices in Nairobi, New Delhi, and in Ethiopia. CIFF works with a wide range of partners seeking to transform and empower the lives of poor and vulnerable children in developing countries, with the ultimate goal of solving seemingly intractable problems that affect children.

Main purpose of the role

As a recognised leader in your field, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy to convert strategy into actionable country-level delivery plans. You will oversee the execution of select Girl Capital programmes, with programmes primarily in our focus countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Malawi. This position requires a management consulting approach, including structured problem solving, hypothesis-driven analysis, adaptability in the face of ambiguity, rigorous performance management, and the ability to achieve outstanding results under demanding workloads and tight deadlines. We seek candidates who excel at collaboration and have demonstrated success in building trust and alignment with government stakeholders and civil society organisation partners.

Through your leadership and insights, you will strengthen government-aligned systems to promote sustainability, and ensure that solutions are evidence-based, locally owned, and scalable.

Role’s responsibilities

Strategy & planning

• Independently or with minimal assistance, undertake meticulous preparation and delivery of top-tier analyses and research that translates CIFF’s Girl Capital strategy into timebound, resourced operating plans.
• Facilitate the collaboration of diverse stakeholders, encompassing governmental bodies, donor partners, and implementing agencies, to gather valuable insights crucial for shaping strategic priorities.
• Provide strategic insights by identifying partnership and co-creation opportunities that advance CIFF’s Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Child Protection, End Child Marriage (ECM) programming and the broader Girl Capital ecosystem.
• Collaborate closely with the Director to craft sustainable financing mechanisms in Africa for child protection, pioneering innovative approaches that inform CIFF's strategy and contribute to the advancement of the broader ecosystem.

Programme development, delivery & performance

• Own end-to-end delivery for complex, multistakeholder programmes while maintaining delivery discipline under pressure with tight deadlines and high stakes.
• Collaborate within the Girl Capital team to execute and scale integrated investments addressing child protection and SRHR.
• Conduct routine assessments of investment progress and performance, identifying bottlenecks and liaising with partners to devise effective resolutions, escalating issues to the Director on a timely basis.
• In consultation with colleagues working on programme performance and impact, establish and integrate appropriate monitoring and evaluation frameworks with defined outcomes, indicators, baselines and verification protocols, integrating real-time analytics into decision cycles.
• Adhere to established due diligence and risk management procedures (political, operational, fiduciary, safeguarding) throughout programme execution to safeguard the Foundation's interests and reputation.
• Collaborate closely with Finance and Legal teams to integrate budgets with the milestones identified in the MEL frameworks, forecast and process grant disbursements and ensure seamless grant management and reporting.
• Assist in crafting concise and high-quality summary reports, board reports, and investment portfolio reports, meeting stringent deadlines without compromising quality.

Sector knowledge and profile-building

• Operationalise pathways for child protection; integrating SBCC/edutainment, SRHR service delivery pathways and demand generation.
• Stay abreast of developments within Girl Capital and allied sectors within the realm of international development, establishing robust networks and channels for gathering pertinent information to enhance professional knowledge, skills, and opportunities for both CIFF and our partners.
• Contribute, as needed, to the formulation of thought leadership, public relations, marketing, and advocacy materials, supporting CIFF's endeavours to expand, mainstream, and secure additional support for its initiatives.
• Collaborate with Directors to delineate and shape outward-facing advocacy and policy agendas aimed at influencing the child protection sector.
• Conduct thorough assessments of relevant academic research, policies, and governmental initiatives, offering recommendations to address identified gaps and foster improvements.
• Serve as CIFF's representative at conferences, workshops, and professional gatherings to disseminate insights, establish connections, and promote CIFF's mission and initiatives.

Stakeholder and partner management

• Serve as a country focal point with relevant Ministries, UN agencies, MDBs and CSOs defining complementary roles and setting shared accountability platforms.
• Conduct thorough research and evaluation of potential partners, employing established corporate protocols and methodologies to assess their suitability for collaboration on CIFF initiatives.
• Implement CIFF's designated account management and CRM practices in all interactions with program partners and stakeholders, maintaining productive and professional relationships in a strategic manner.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource on CIFF's programs and priority areas for various external audiences.

Membership of the team

• Exemplify CIFF values and leadership principles, serving as a role model for colleagues by fostering high performance through the establishment of clear objectives and defined accountabilities.
• Lead without micromanagement, oversee Analysts and/or M1s as necessary in strategic, programmatic, and sector-related capacities, ensuring alignment with Girl Capital and CIFF Africa objectives.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to colleagues as needed, aiding in skill development, boosting confidence, and enhancing capabilities in various areas, processes, or procedures.

Requirements

Skills & Experience

• Possess a post-graduate degree or equivalent experience, with a preference for specialization in medical sciences, public health, or related fields.
• Bring demonstrated technical depth in SRH, child protection and/or ending child marriage – including how these intersect.
• Exhibit comprehensive knowledge of and experience working in at least 2 of the priority geographies.
• Display high workload capacity and resilience through a demonstrated track record of delivering under pressure, across multiple concurrent workstreams, with tight timelines and changing priorities
• Operate with minimal oversight while being highly responsive in making decisions and providing clear recommendations that translate to action
• Demonstrate proven expertise in analysis and due diligence, policy development, strategic planning, and program delivery within the development sector, including hands-on field experience
• Deep knowledge in formulating and executing strategies and investments in at least one of these areas: Child protection systems, Child Marriage, SRHR, SGBV/survivor pathways, skilling and women’s economic empowerment, education programming; technology integration for learning.
• Possess strong capabilities in impact measurement, programme monitoring, and evaluation methodologies.
• Show experience in working within government systems or influencing policies of governmental, private sector, or donor organisations
• Act as a credible and professional advocate for causes, proficient in presenting the Foundation's programs compellingly to engage diverse audiences.
• Possess exceptional relationship-building skills, capable of influencing others and fostering collaborative efforts among groups with shared objectives.
• Display exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, across all facets of the role.
• Demonstrate the ability to adapt style and approach effectively in various cultural and socio-economic contexts, maintaining cultural sensitivity to maximize effectiveness.
• Exhibit proficiency in IT, particularly in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Display willingness to travel regularly as part of the role's requirements.

Key working relationships

• Africa Team.
• CIFF Departments and Teams – Spanning sector teams as well as additional departments such as the CEO’s Office, Programme Performance and Impact, Ecosystem Development, IT, Finance, External Affairs and Communications, Human Resources, and Legal.
• CIFF Grantee partners – Operating across diverse geographical regions.
• Other Partners and Stakeholders – Including government entities, private sector organisations, international and national foundations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academic institutions, and independent experts.

Benefits

CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees work in the office and some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.

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.
• Training allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance

• Independently or with minimal assistance, undertake meticulous preparation and delivery of top-tier analyses and research that translates CIFF’s Girl Capital strategy into timebound, resourced operating plans.
• Facilitate the collaboration of diverse stakeholders, encompassing governmental bodies, donor partners, and implementing agencies, to gather valuable insights crucial for shaping strategic priorities.
• Provide strategic insights by identifying partnership and co-creation opportunities that advance CIFF’s Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Child Protection, End Child Marriage (ECM) programming and the broader Girl Capital ecosystem.
• Collaborate closely with the Director to craft sustainable financing mechanisms in Africa for child protection, pioneering innovative approaches that inform CIFF's strategy and contribute to the advancement of the broader ecosystem.
• Own end-to-end delivery for complex, multistakeholder programmes while maintaining delivery discipline under pressure with tight deadlines and high stakes.
• Collaborate within the Girl Capital team to execute and scale integrated investments addressing child protection and SRHR.
• Conduct routine assessments of investment progress and performance, identifying bottlenecks and liaising with partners to devise effective resolutions, escalating issues to the Director on a timely basis.
• In consultation with colleagues working on programme performance and impact, establish and integrate appropriate monitoring and evaluation frameworks with defined outcomes, indicators, baselines and verification protocols, integrating real-time analytics into decision cycles.
• Adhere to established due diligence and risk management procedures (political, operational, fiduciary, safeguarding) throughout programme execution to safeguard the Foundation's interests and reputation.
• Collaborate closely with Finance and Legal teams to integrate budgets with the milestones identified in the MEL frameworks, forecast and process grant disbursements and ensure seamless grant management and reporting.
• Assist in crafting concise and high-quality summary reports, board reports, and investment portfolio reports, meeting stringent deadlines without compromising quality.
• Operationalise pathways for child protection; integrating SBCC/edutainment, SRHR service delivery pathways and demand generation.
• Stay abreast of developments within Girl Capital and allied sectors within the realm of international development, establishing robust networks and channels for gathering pertinent information to enhance professional knowledge, skills, and opportunities for both CIFF and our partners.
• Contribute, as needed, to the formulation of thought leadership, public relations, marketing, and advocacy materials, supporting CIFF's endeavours to expand, mainstream, and secure additional support for its initiatives.
• Collaborate with Directors to delineate and shape outward-facing advocacy and policy agendas aimed at influencing the child protection sector.
• Conduct thorough assessments of relevant academic research, policies, and governmental initiatives, offering recommendations to address identified gaps and foster improvements.
• Serve as CIFF's representative at conferences, workshops, and professional gatherings to disseminate insights, establish connections, and promote CIFF's mission and initiatives.
• Serve as a country focal point with relevant Ministries, UN agencies, MDBs and CSOs defining complementary roles and setting shared accountability platforms.
• Conduct thorough research and evaluation of potential partners, employing established corporate protocols and methodologies to assess their suitability for collaboration on CIFF initiatives.
• Implement CIFF's designated account management and CRM practices in all interactions with program partners and stakeholders, maintaining productive and professional relationships in a strategic manner.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource on CIFF's programs and priority areas for various external audiences.
• Exemplify CIFF values and leadership principles, serving as a role model for colleagues by fostering high performance through the establishment of clear objectives and defined accountabilities.
• Lead without micromanagement, oversee Analysts and/or M1s as necessary in strategic, programmatic, and sector-related capacities, ensuring alignment with Girl Capital and CIFF Africa objectives.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to colleagues as needed, aiding in skill development, boosting confidence, and enhancing capabilities in various areas, processes, or procedures.

• Demonstrated technical depth in SRH, child protection and/or ending child marriage
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience working in at least 2 of the priority geographies
• High workload capacity and resilience
• Ability to deliver under pressure, across multiple concurrent workstreams, with tight timelines and changing priorities
• Ability to operate with minimal oversight
• Highly responsive in making decisions and providing clear recommendations that translate to action
• Proven expertise in analysis and due diligence
• Policy development
• Strategic planning
• Program delivery within the development sector
• Hands-on field experience
• Deep knowledge in formulating and executing strategies and investments in at least one of these areas: Child protection systems, Child Marriage, SRHR, SGBV/survivor pathways, skilling and women’s economic empowerment, education programming; technology integration for learning.
• Strong capabilities in impact measurement, programme monitoring, and evaluation methodologies.
• Experience in working within government systems or influencing policies of governmental, private sector, or donor organisations
• Credible and professional advocate for causes
• Proficient in presenting the Foundation's programs compellingly to engage diverse audiences.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills
• Ability to influence others and foster collaborative efforts among groups with shared objectives.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English
• Ability to adapt style and approach effectively in various cultural and socio-economic contexts, maintaining cultural sensitivity
• Proficiency in IT, particularly in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to travel regularly

• Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience, with a preference for specialization in medical sciences, public health, or related fields.