Director, Partnerships and Strategic Communications, Africa

ABOUT THE COMPANY We are an independent philanthropic organisation, headquartered in London with offices in Nairobi and New Delhi. We work with a range of partners seeking to transform the lives of vulnerable children and adolescents in developing countries. Partnerships are critical, because it will take the combined efforts of many to tackle urgently the challenges faced by children and their families every day. Our programmes are designed to support bold ideas to seemingly intractable problems.

We know that the returns on smart investments in areas such as children’s early development and adolescent girls are especially high. So we aim to play a catalytic role as a funder and influencer to deliver urgent and lasting change at scale.

Areas of work include maternal and child health, adolescent sexual health, nutrition, education, and deworming, tackling child slavery and exploitation, and supporting smart ways to slow down and stop climate change. JOB SUMMARY RequirementsSkills & Experience  Significant senior‑level experience in partnership development, external relations, and/or strategic communications in Africa Proven track record of building and managing high‑value partnerships across philanthropy, government, and multilateral systems. Strong experience leading strategic communications, thought leadership, or advocacy in complex and sensitive contexts. Demonstrated ability to operate credibly with senior stakeholders, including government officials, funders, and institutional leaders. Experience managing reputational risk and crisis communications. Strong political, institutional, and contextual understanding of African development landscapes. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distil complex issues clearly and persuasively. Strategic, judgement‑driven thinker with a pragmatic and solutions‑oriented mindset. High levels of integrity, discretion, and professionalism. RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement  Lead and deliver CIFF Africa’s partnerships strategic communications strategy aligned with CIFF’s Africa priorities and global objectives. Build, steward, and deepen relationships with philanthropic partners, peer foundations, donor collaboratives, and high‑value networks. Identify, assess, and pursue new partnership opportunities that unlock scale, sustainability, and systems‑level impact. Support the Executive Director, Africa and Africa Directors in cultivating and managing senior‑level external relationships. Represent CIFF Africa in relevant funder collaboratives, multi‑donor platforms, and partnership forums, ensuring clear value‑add and outcomes. Engage strategically with priority governments, regional bodies (e.g. African Union, AUDA‑NEPAD, WHO AFRO), and multilateral institutions in partnership with programme teams. Track policy, geopolitical, and regulatory developments relevant to philanthropy and partnerships in Africa, advising leadership on risks and opportunities