Purpose
The Regional Director for Africa will spearhead efforts to expand Women for Women International’s revenue streams, cultivate key partnerships, and strengthen the organization’s strategic presence throughout the continent. In this senior leadership role, the incumbent will oversee the management and coordination of Country Directors across Africa, providing essential guidance and support to drive their success.
The position reinforces WWI’s integrated operational framework by fostering cohesion among country strategy, program implementation, operational efficiency, and revenue generation initiatives across Africa. As Regional Director, Africa, this role spearheads a long-term, multi-faceted regional strategy that integrates philanthropic support, institutional grants, corporate collaborations, diaspora contributions, high-net-worth donor engagement, and targeted earned-income or investment-driven ventures.
The Regional Director, Africa is responsible for driving regional revenue growth while providing strong leadership in mentoring and managing Country Directors. This role fosters cross-country collaboration, enhances planning and performance discipline, and ensures timely identification and management of opportunities and risks. Close coordination with Programs, Operations, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and Communications is essential to achieve these objectives.
This position functions as WWI’s key liaison for Africa within the Global Revenue Team and other pertinent global forums, while also serving as the organization’s primary external advocate for regional partnerships and market expansion initiatives across the continent.
We seek a highly motivated Engagement Specialist to foster meaningful connections and drive active participation among our audience. The ideal candidate will excel in developing and implementing innovative engagement strategies that enhance user experience and boost retention rates. Responsibilities include crafting compelling content, analyzing audience behavior, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize engagement initiatives. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field, along with a minimum of three years of experience in engagement, community management, or a similar role. Proficiency in data analytics tools, social media platforms, and CRM systems is essential, along with strong communication and project management skills.
Act as WWI’s lead external face in Africa, interfacing with regional donors, corporate entities, philanthropic networks, intergovernmental organizations, and high-level strategic partners.
Devote significant effort to external outreach efforts aimed at securing funding, cultivating strategic partnerships, and enhancing WWI’s visibility across key regions.
Work collaboratively with Country Directors and global colleagues to facilitate integrated regional planning and execution.
Consistently collaborate with the CEO, CPP, COO, and other key leadership stakeholders to address regional priorities, assess risks, evaluate performance metrics, and identify areas requiring additional support.
Develop and sustain robust partnerships with African philanthropic, corporate, institutional, and diaspora networks to establish WWI as a trusted and influential regional ally.
Oversee and execute a range of critical duties to ensure operational excellence, including leading cross-functional teams, developing strategic initiatives, and maintaining compliance with industry regulations. Analyze performance metrics to identify trends, opportunities for improvement, and cost-saving measures, while fostering a culture of accountability and innovation. Collaborate with senior leadership to align departmental goals with organizational objectives, ensuring seamless integration of processes and seamless communication across all levels. Additionally, mentor and develop team members through targeted coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities to enhance overall productivity and engagement.
Efficiently manage the end-to-end logistics of transporting goods from origin to destination, ensuring timely and secure delivery to customers. Maintain clear communication with dispatch teams, customers, and vendors to provide real-time updates on shipment status. Operate company vehicles or coordinate with third-party carriers while adhering to safety protocols and delivery schedules. Monitor inventory levels, load optimization, and route efficiency to minimize delays and reduce operational costs. Ensure all delivery documentation, such as bills of lading and proof of delivery, is accurately completed and filed. Uphold company standards for customer service by addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring a positive delivery experience.
Develops and executes strategic plans to drive organizational growth and efficiency while identifying key opportunities for improvement. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to align business objectives with operational strategies, ensuring seamless integration and execution. Analyzes market trends, competitive landscapes, and internal capabilities to inform data-driven decision-making and long-term planning. Monitors performance metrics and adjusts strategies as needed to achieve measurable outcomes and sustainable success. Requires a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, along with 5+ years of experience in strategic planning or a comparable role. Proficiency in strategic analysis tools, advanced Excel, and presentation software is essential, along with strong leadership and communication skills to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Develop and implement a cohesive Africa regional strategy in alignment with the Global Revenue Strategy, taking into account the unique realities of each country.
Develop a pragmatic regional strategy by aligning global objectives with market prospects, national plans, country-specific approaches, program capabilities, and operational preparedness.
Develop annual objectives, benchmarks, and evaluation frameworks to assess regional revenue outcomes and enhance Country Director leadership collaboration.
To balance WWI’s revenue goals with operational feasibility, risk mitigation, and local country conditions, Africa must play a pivotal role in driving sustainable financial growth.
Revenue generation, strategic partnerships, and market expansion initiatives represent the core focus areas for this role. The position requires a thorough understanding of growth strategies, client acquisition techniques, and alliance-building processes to drive organizational success. Responsibilities include identifying new revenue opportunities, cultivating high-value partnerships, and expanding market share through targeted development efforts. A proven track record in revenue optimization, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration is essential, along with the ability to analyze market trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year revenue strategy for Africa, encompassing philanthropic initiatives, corporate partnerships, institutional funding, diaspora donations, and targeted earned-income ventures.
Construct and oversee a robust regional donor and partner pipeline, emphasizing African philanthropy, corporate social responsibility initiatives, regional institutions, development finance organizations, and diaspora networks.
Uncover and nurture premium prospects among affluent African individuals, family-run foundations, local corporate entities, and multi-regional institutions.
To enhance and broaden revenue streams across Africa, ensuring the region achieves greater resilience and reduces its reliance on conventional donor markets.
Champion WWI’s regional program offerings and value proposition, ensuring precise and cohesive messaging when engaging with donors, partners, and external stakeholders.
Demonstrate excellence in managing stewardship, reporting, and donor engagement initiatives while fostering robust regional partnerships and diverse revenue streams.
As part of this role, you will be responsible for fostering and maintaining strong institutional and regional partnerships. Your duties will involve identifying potential collaborators, negotiating agreements, and ensuring mutually beneficial relationships. Additionally, you will oversee the implementation of partnership initiatives, monitor their progress, and evaluate their impact. Excellent communication skills and a strategic mindset are essential to thrive in this position.
Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of institutional prospects involving African development banks, regional organizations, bilateral donors, and collaborative donor platforms.
Lead or facilitate collaborative efforts with both local and national stakeholders to enhance competitiveness, strengthen partnership quality, and bolster localization credibility.
Ensure proposals and partnership models comply with WWI standards, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and align with the realities of country-level delivery.
Foster strategic partnerships with key institutions, including the African Development Bank, the African Union system, regional economic communities, and pertinent UN agencies and regional platforms.
Developed and implemented strategies to generate revenue and foster innovation within the organization. Spearheaded initiatives to diversify income sources while enhancing operational efficiency. Collaborated cross-functionally to identify and pursue high-impact opportunities for growth. Monitored market trends and competitive landscape to inform decision-making and capitalize on emerging prospects. Championed a culture of creativity and continuous improvement to drive sustainable financial success and long-term value creation.
Evaluate and expand revenue-generating or market-driven initiatives that align with WWI’s mission, such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (SLAs), market systems enhancements, curriculum or training development, digital solutions, and other relevant models.
Collaborate with country teams to evaluate, test, and expand revenue-generating strategies, ensuring they demonstrate sound unit economics and practical operational viability.
Forge strategic alliances with private sector stakeholders, fintech enterprises, agribusinesses, and market-linkage platforms across Africa to further WWI’s strategic objectives and bolster women’s economic empowerment outcomes.
Country Director Leadership and Coordination
You will oversee the Country Directors across Africa, providing leadership to enhance their performance, ensure accountability, and foster their professional growth.
Offer executive coaching, mentorship, and strategic advisory to Country Directors, with a focus on enhancing leadership capabilities, strategic planning, operational efficiency, fundraising strategies, partnership cultivation, and cross-functional collaboration.
Enhance collaborative efforts and facilitate knowledge exchange among African country offices, fostering a more cohesive regional strategy.
Identify and proactively communicate critical country-specific risks, interdependencies, and support requirements to the appropriate global teams to facilitate timely resolution.
Facilitate the harmonization of country strategies by integrating regional opportunities, organizational objectives, and resource availability to ensure cohesive and effective planning.
Collaborate with PCC to enhance performance management, strategic succession planning, and leadership development initiatives throughout the Africa region.
Cross-Functional Integration
Collaborate effectively with the Chief Product & Partnerships Officer (CPP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to ensure alignment between regional revenue targets and program quality, operational feasibility, staffing requirements, regulatory compliance, readiness for implementation, and financial governance.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, PCC, IT, Risk, Compliance, and Communications to ensure robust country and regional implementation.
Guarantee systematic forecasting, strategic planning, and thorough performance evaluation processes are implemented consistently throughout the entire region.
Foster innovative approaches to operational practices that enhance synergy and cooperation between regional teams and corporate-wide functions.
Overseeing governance, risk mitigation, and operational stewardship constitutes the core responsibilities of this role, ensuring alignment with organizational policies, regulatory compliance, and ethical standards. The position demands a thorough understanding of risk management frameworks, strategic oversight of compliance initiatives, and diligent stewardship of organizational resources to safeguard stakeholder interests. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in policy development, risk assessment methodologies, and the ability to implement robust governance structures that drive accountability and transparency. Strong analytical skills, exceptional leadership, and a commitment to ethical decision-making are essential for success in this position.
Ensure adherence to rigorous safeguarding protocols, donor compliance requirements, financial integrity standards, and ethical partnership management practices throughout the region.
Conduct regional assessments and escalate risks associated with markets, partnerships, funding, operations, and delivery.
Ensure transparent communication with global leadership on emerging issues, mitigation actions, and support required.
Uphold the responsible management of donor resources, partnerships, and organizational integrity by making sound decisions, maintaining transparent accountability, and escalating issues as necessary.
Demonstrates expertise in thought leadership while effectively representing organizational values, initiatives, and strategic goals. Drives brand recognition through authoritative insights, industry influence, and compelling storytelling. Shapes public perception by engaging stakeholders, advocating for key issues, and positioning the organization as a forward-thinking industry leader.
Position WWI as a leading and respected authority on women’s economic empowerment, gender equality, financial inclusion, and market-driven strategies throughout Africa.
Represent WWI in regional policy discussions, donor gatherings, philanthropic alliances, corporate initiatives, and strategic collaborations.
Develop strategic partnerships with international nongovernmental organizations, local nonprofit entities, private sector stakeholders, and academic research institutions to enhance WWI’s influence and effectiveness across the region.
Enable collaboration with global teams to enhance visibility, establish thought leadership, and execute strategic communications effectively.
Orchestrating team leadership and fostering a thriving workplace culture are central to this role, requiring the ability to inspire collaboration and drive collective success while cultivating an environment where innovation and engagement flourish.
Develop and oversee a high-caliber Africa regional team, fostering an environment of clear objectives, individual accountability, and continuous professional advancement.
Cultivate an environment characterized by high performance, teamwork, continuous learning, and rigorous execution.
Facilitate a clear understanding among country and regional staff regarding the alignment of their individual contributions with both regional objectives and the wider global framework of the organization.
Foster inclusive leadership and cultivate robust cross-functional relationships throughout the Africa region and in global contexts.
Oversee additional duties as assigned, including but not limited to compliance with company policies, participation in team meetings, and contribution to ongoing projects. Ensure alignment with organizational goals by maintaining high-quality standards and fostering collaborative work environments. Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to enhance operational efficiency and drive continuous improvement across departments.
Perform any supplementary responsibilities as directed by the International Chief Executive Officer.
Adhere to WWI’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding policies, and organizational values—Empowerment, Integrity, Respect, and Resilience—at all times.
Exemplify the Women for Women International (WWI) leadership principles—namely, decisiveness, accountability, courage, adaptability, and inclusivity—through your actions and decision-making.
We are seeking a professional who possesses a comprehensive understanding of essential skills, knowledge, and expertise pertinent to the position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in specific technical and functional areas, ensuring they can effectively contribute to key responsibilities. The ideal applicant will have a proven track record in applying their specialized knowledge to solve complex problems and drive results. Strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and adaptability to evolving industry standards are critical for success in this role. Additionally, interpersonal skills and the capacity to collaborate across teams are highly valued to support organizational objectives.
Seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong background in project management, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure. The ideal candidate must possess at least three years of experience in a similar role, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and proficiency in industry-standard software tools. Responsibilities include overseeing project timelines, coordinating team efforts, ensuring compliance with company policies, and delivering high-quality results within strict deadlines. Strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative mindset are essential for success in this position.
Your application must explicitly address all criteria marked with (A) in your covering letter; failure to do so will result in immediate rejection.
Positioned within one of the designated African nations where the candidate must legally hold work authorization, this role requires compliance with local employment regulations.
A master’s degree is a prerequisite for this position.
A minimum of 10 years of progressive senior leadership experience is required, with a strong background in fundraising, partnerships, business development, international development, or closely related fields.
Proven capability to analyze and communicate donor trends and revenue potential across Africa, with a strong alignment to WWI’s mission, supported by a demonstrated history of securing a minimum of $5 million annually from at least two distinct donor segments—including corporate partners—for initiatives focused on social impact, specifically women’s empowerment.
Proven expertise in market-driven revenue strategies, social enterprise models, or blended finance methodologies, demonstrated through prior professional experience.
Proven expertise in crafting and executing strategic partnerships across Africa, collaborating with regional and international development organizations to achieve measurable results.
Proven expertise in managing international programs across multiple African countries, encompassing strategic planning, budget preparation, revenue projection, team leadership, financial reporting, and coordination with a global office.
Engagement in networks and strategic forums dedicated to advancing women’s rights and economic empowerment is essential.
Demonstrated success in securing substantial financial support from philanthropists, corporate entities, foundations, institutions, or strategic collaborators across Africa or similar environments.
Possesses a comprehensive grasp of African philanthropic ecosystems, current corporate CSR trends, practices in diaspora giving, and institutional funding landscapes.
Proven track record in formulating and executing multi-year strategies that drive measurable growth.
Exceptional aptitude for guiding, mentoring, and cultivating high-performing teams, alongside a proven ability to foster leadership growth and talent development.
Exceptional abilities in fostering relationships, negotiating effectively, and representing the organization externally are required.
Fluent written and spoken English is essential, with proficiency in additional African languages considered highly beneficial.
Demonstrates a steadfast dedication to advancing women’s rights, promoting gender equality, and upholding ethical fundraising practices.
Capable of traveling regionally and internationally as needed to support business operations and client engagements.
Competitive benefits package including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a generous retirement savings plan with company matching contributions. Additionally, employees enjoy paid time off for vacation, holidays, and personal days, as well as access to professional development opportunities, wellness programs, and flexible work arrangements. Eligible team members may also receive performance-based bonuses, commuter benefits, and tuition reimbursement.
We provide a market-competitive compensation package that is adjusted for location, factoring in both prevailing local wage standards and individual experience levels.
Qualifications
MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
10 years
