Senior Manager, Girl Capital - Africa

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.