Purpose
The Regional Director, Africa will spearhead Women for Women International’s growth in revenue, partnerships, and strategic impact throughout the continent, while overseeing the direct line management, coordination, and leadership development of Country Directors across the region.
The position enhances WWI’s unified operational framework by fostering greater alignment between country strategy, program execution, operational efficiency, and revenue generation across the continent. The Regional Director, Africa, leads the development and implementation of a multi-year regional strategy that integrates philanthropic support, institutional funding, corporate collaborations, diaspora contributions, high-net-worth donor engagement, and carefully selected earned-income or investment-driven initiatives.
The Regional Director, Africa is responsible for driving regional revenue growth while providing strong leadership in mentoring and overseeing Country Directors. This role fosters cross-country collaboration, enhances planning and performance discipline, and proactively identifies opportunities and risks. Close coordination with Programs, Operations, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Communications ensures these elements are managed effectively.
This position serves as WWI’s key external liaison for regional partnerships and market development across Africa, representing the organization on the Global Revenue Team and other pertinent global forums.
We are seeking a dynamic Engagement professional committed to fostering meaningful connections and driving impactful initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a proven ability to collaborate across teams, and a passion for building relationships that enhance organizational success. Responsibilities include developing engagement strategies, managing stakeholder interactions, and analyzing feedback to refine approaches. Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and experience with engagement platforms or CRM systems are essential. Additionally, the role requires exceptional communication abilities, adaptability to evolving priorities, and a results-oriented mindset to measure and optimize engagement outcomes.
Act as the main external liaison for Women International in Africa, engaging with regional donors, corporate entities, philanthropic networks, intergovernmental organizations, and key strategic partners.
Devote significant effort to external outreach initiatives aimed at securing funding, fostering strategic partnerships, and enhancing WWI’s visibility within the region.
Foster strong partnerships with Country Directors and global team members to align and implement cohesive regional strategies and initiatives.
Consistently collaborate with the CEO, CPP, COO, and key regional stakeholders to address priorities, mitigate risks, ensure optimal performance, and identify necessary support requirements.
Develop and nurture robust partnerships with African philanthropic, corporate, institutional, and diaspora networks to solidify WWI’s standing as a trusted and influential regional collaborator.
Oversee and execute a comprehensive range of duties essential to the role, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. This includes managing daily operations, leading cross-functional teams, and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the position requires meticulous planning, problem-solving, and adherence to established policies and procedures. Collaboration with stakeholders, reporting on key performance indicators, and fostering a culture of innovation are integral components of the role. Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills are required to drive results and support sustainable growth.
Responsible for the timely and accurate transportation of goods from distribution centers to designated destinations, ensuring packages are handled with care and delivered according to schedule. Must possess a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record, with the ability to operate a delivery vehicle safely and efficiently. Familiarity with local routes and navigation tools is essential, along with strong time-management skills to meet daily delivery quotas. Ability to lift and transport packages up to 50 pounds and perform basic vehicle maintenance checks is required. Experience in delivery services or logistics is preferred but not mandatory. Maintains professionalism and courtesy when interacting with customers, addressing any delivery concerns promptly. Must adhere to company policies and safety regulations at all times.
Develops and executes strategic plans to drive organizational growth and achieve long-term objectives, ensuring alignment with overall business goals. Analyzes market trends, competitive landscapes, and internal capabilities to identify opportunities and mitigate risks. Collaborates with senior leadership to define priorities, allocate resources, and monitor performance against key metrics. Facilitates cross-functional initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and innovation. Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate insights, progress, and recommendations to stakeholders. Requires strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills, along with proficiency in strategic planning tools and methodologies.
Develop and implement a cohesive Africa regional strategy that aligns with the Global Revenue Strategy while addressing the specific conditions of each country.
Develop a practical regional plan by translating global priorities into actionable strategies, aligning market opportunities, country-specific strategies, program capacity, and operational readiness.
Develop and implement annual objectives, benchmarks, and assessment frameworks to evaluate regional revenue outcomes and facilitate effective leadership coordination among Country Directors.
Ensure Africa plays a pivotal role in advancing WWI’s revenue objectives without compromising operational feasibility, robust risk mitigation, or alignment with local country dynamics.
The organization seeks a skilled professional to drive revenue growth, cultivate strategic partnerships, and expand market presence through innovative development initiatives. The ideal candidate will be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities, fostering relationships with key stakeholders, and implementing market strategies to enhance competitive positioning. Additionally, the role requires a strong analytical mindset to assess market trends, evaluate partnership potential, and optimize revenue streams for sustained organizational success.
Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year revenue strategy for Africa, encompassing philanthropic initiatives, corporate partnerships, institutional funding, diaspora contributions, and carefully selected earned-income ventures.
Develop and oversee a robust regional donor and partner pipeline, emphasizing African philanthropy, corporate social responsibility initiatives, regional institutions, development finance institutions, and diaspora networks.
Forge and nurture strategic partnerships with affluent African individuals, family-led foundations, regional corporations, and continent-wide institutions to unlock and develop high-value prospects.
To enhance and broaden revenue streams across Africa, ensuring the region achieves greater resilience and reduced reliance on conventional supporter markets.
Champion WWI’s program offerings and value proposition across the region, maintaining clear and consistent messaging for donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
Deliver exceptional stewardship, comprehensive reporting, and meaningful donor engagement across regional partnerships and revenue channels.
The role involves cultivating and strengthening collaborations with institutions and regional partners to enhance organizational reach and impact. Key responsibilities include identifying potential partners, establishing mutually beneficial agreements, and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. The position requires a proven track record of building and maintaining successful partnerships, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to negotiate effectively. Additionally, the individual must possess a deep understanding of regional dynamics and institutional needs to tailor partnerships accordingly.
Cultivate a robust pipeline of institutional prospects encompassing African development banks, regional organizations, bilateral donors, and collaborative donor platforms.
Collaborate with local and national partners to jointly develop innovative solutions, enhancing competitiveness, partnership effectiveness, and credibility in localization efforts.
Develop and maintain proposals and partnership models that comply with WWI standards, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and the operational realities of country-level delivery.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with key institutions, including the African Development Bank, African Union system, regional economic communities, and relevant United Nations agencies and regional platforms.
We generate revenue and foster innovation through diversified income strategies and groundbreaking initiatives.
Identify and grow earned-income or market-based opportunities linked to WfWI’s work, including VSLAs, market systems, curriculum or training products, digital opportunities, and other mission-aligned models.
Collaborate with country teams to evaluate, test, and expand revenue-generating strategies that demonstrate sound unit economics and operational viability.
Develop strategic alliances with private sector entities, financial technology firms, agribusinesses, and market connection platforms across Africa to drive WWI’s strategic goals and enhance women’s economic empowerment outcomes.
The Country Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and ensuring effective coordination across all initiatives within the designated country. This role involves overseeing program implementation, fostering partnerships with stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The Country Director will drive operational excellence, monitor progress, and report on key performance indicators to senior management. Additionally, they will identify opportunities for growth, manage risks, and ensure compliance with local regulations and organizational policies. Strong leadership, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track record in program management are essential for success in this position.
You will oversee the Country Directors across Africa, ensuring their performance, accountability, and professional growth are optimized.
Offer expert coaching, mentoring, and strategic direction to Country Directors, with a focus on enhancing leadership capabilities, refining strategic planning, optimizing fundraising efforts, cultivating partnerships, and fostering seamless cross-functional collaboration.
Enhance collaboration and the exchange of expertise among African country offices while fostering a more cohesive and unified regional strategy.
Proactively identify and escalate critical country-specific risks, dependencies, and support requirements to the appropriate global teams for timely resolution.
Facilitate the harmonization of country-level strategies with regional prospects, organizational objectives, and resource availability.
Facilitate performance management, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives throughout the Africa region in collaboration with PCC.
Cross-functional integration involves collaborating with diverse teams to align objectives, streamline processes, and drive cohesive outcomes across departments. This role requires active participation in interdisciplinary projects, fostering clear communication, and bridging gaps between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Responsibilities include coordinating initiatives, resolving dependencies, and ensuring seamless workflows to enhance overall efficiency and innovation. Strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach are essential to facilitate collaboration and achieve shared goals in a dynamic work environment.
Collaborate effectively with the Chief Procurement and Policy Officer (CPP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to ensure regional revenue targets are harmonized with program excellence, delivery viability, staffing requirements, regulatory adherence, operational preparedness, and financial oversight.
Collaborate with Finance, PCC, IT, Risk, Compliance, and Communications departments to ensure robust execution at the country and regional levels.
Deliver disciplined forecasting, strategic planning, and rigorous performance review processes throughout the region.
Foster innovative approaches to enhance synergy between local teams and global departments, driving cohesive and efficient workflows.
The role focuses on establishing and maintaining robust governance frameworks, managing risk exposures, and ensuring meticulous stewardship of organizational assets and resources. Key responsibilities include developing and enforcing compliance policies, identifying and mitigating potential risks, and overseeing ethical and sustainable asset utilization. The ideal candidate must possess expertise in regulatory frameworks, risk assessment methodologies, and governance best practices, along with strong analytical and strategic planning skills. Experience in implementing control measures and fostering a culture of accountability is essential.
Uphold rigorous safeguarding protocols, ensure donor compliance, maintain financial integrity, and manage ethical partnerships with diligence throughout the region.
Oversee the regional evaluation and mitigation of risks pertaining to market dynamics, strategic partnerships, financial backing, operational activities, and project execution.
Maintain open and clear communication with senior leadership worldwide regarding developing issues, mitigation strategies, and necessary assistance.
Demonstrate responsible management of donor resources, partnerships, and organizational reputation by making thoughtful decisions, maintaining clear accountability, and escalating issues appropriately.
Demonstrating expertise and influencing industry perspectives through active representation and establishing thought leadership are essential components of this role. By articulating innovative ideas and shaping industry trends, the position drives forward-thinking solutions and fosters meaningful engagement within the professional community.
Position WWI as a leading authority on women’s economic empowerment, gender equality, financial inclusion, and market-driven solutions throughout Africa, demonstrating thought leadership and fostering meaningful influence.
Represent Women for Women International (WWI) across regional policy dialogues, donor forums, philanthropic networks, corporate platforms, and strategic partnerships.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with international non-governmental organizations, local non-profits, private sector entities, and academic research institutions to bolster WWI’s regional influence and enhance its impact.
Facilitate enhanced visibility, establish thought leadership, and strengthen strategic communications in collaboration with the pertinent global teams.
Expertly cultivates a high-performance team culture while fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth among team members. Develops and implements strategies to enhance employee engagement, morale, and retention. Ensures alignment with organizational values and promotes a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. Leads by example, mentoring leaders and managers to drive accountability and continuous improvement across the team.
Develop and guide a high-performing team across the Africa region, fostering clear objectives, strong accountability measures, and opportunities for professional advancement.
Champion a high-performance culture rooted in collaboration, continuous learning, and disciplined execution.
Facilitate a clear understanding among country and regional staff regarding the impact of their work on both regional outcomes and the broader global organization.
Foster inclusive leadership and cultivate robust cross-functional relationships throughout the Africa region and globally.
Oversee a wide range of additional duties and tasks as assigned, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and operational standards. Manage various administrative, operational, or project-related activities with precision and efficiency. Handle ad hoc assignments, special projects, or cross-functional initiatives as needed to support team objectives and business needs. Prioritize responsibilities in accordance with shifting priorities and deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and professionalism.
Execute supplementary responsibilities as delegated by the International Chief Executive Officer as needed.
Ensure adherence to WWI’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding policies, and organizational values—Empowerment, Integrity, Respect, and Resilience.
Illustrate adherence to Women for Women International’s leadership principles, including decisiveness, accountability, courage, adaptability, and inclusivity.
We seek a candidate with a robust foundation in technical proficiencies, specialized knowledge, and hands-on experience relevant to the role. The ideal applicant will demonstrate mastery of key competencies, including both foundational and advanced skills, along with a proven track record of applying expertise effectively in practical settings. Familiarity with industry-specific tools, methodologies, and best practices is essential, as is the ability to adapt to evolving technological and professional demands. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and a commitment to continuous learning are also required to excel in this position.
Requirements
Your application must comprehensively address every requirement marked (A) in your covering letter; failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification.
Based in a designated African nation where the candidate possesses valid work authorization, the position is situated.
A master’s degree is a mandatory qualification for this position.
A minimum of 10 years of progressive senior leadership experience in fundraising, partnerships, business development, international development, or closely related domains is required.
Demonstrates a strong aptitude for analyzing donor behaviors and uncovering revenue-generating prospects across Africa, particularly in alignment with WWI’s strategic focus, backed by a proven ability to secure at least $5 million annually from a minimum of two distinct donor categories, including corporate contributors, within the realm of social impact initiatives that prioritize women’s empowerment.
Extensive experience in revenue generation grounded in market-based strategies, social enterprise models, or blended finance frameworks, supported by prior professional engagements.
A proven track record in developing and executing strategic partnerships across Africa with regional and international development organizations, demonstrated through measurable results.
Accomplished leadership in directing multi-country initiatives across Africa, encompassing strategic formulation, budgetary allocation, revenue projection, team supervision, financial documentation, and coordination with a central global office.
Engagement in networks and strategic forums focused on women’s rights and economic empowerment is required.
Demonstrated success in obtaining substantial financial support from philanthropists, corporate entities, foundations, institutions, and strategic partners across Africa or similar environments.
Demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of African philanthropic systems, evolving corporate CSR practices, diaspora-driven contributions, and the dynamics of institutional funding networks.
Proven expertise in formulating and executing multi-year strategic plans that drive measurable growth outcomes.
Experienced in guiding and nurturing high-performing teams, fostering individual growth, and cultivating future leaders through effective people management, coaching, and leadership development initiatives.
A proven ability to establish and nurture strong professional relationships, coupled with adept negotiation capabilities and a polished aptitude for representing the organization externally, is essential.
Proficient written and spoken English communication abilities are required. Fluency in additional African languages would be considered an asset.
Demonstrates a strong dedication to advancing women’s rights, promoting gender equality, and adhering to ethical fundraising standards.
Capable of undertaking regional and international travel as necessary.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. This includes medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, along with retirement savings plans featuring company contributions. Additionally, you’ll have access to paid time off, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for career development through training and mentorship programs. The company also provides wellness initiatives, employee assistance programs, and performance-based bonuses to recognize your contributions.
We provide a highly competitive, location-adjusted compensation package that reflects both local market standards and individual experience levels.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
