Senior Manager, Child Health and Development - Africa

Main purpose of the role

As a recognized leader in your field, you will contribute to the development of cutting edge and evidence-based strategies, plans and investments that ensure CIFF’s work across Child Health and Development (CHD) achieves transformational and lasting change.

You will develop and manage a high-quality integrated portfolio of investments to deliver CHD sector priorities aligned to the Africa Strategy, Resilient Communities Framework and CHD strategy and meet the corporate objectives of the CIFF Board. It is a fast-paced and diverse role. Your contribution will be integral to supporting CIFF and its partners to deliver and inform the portfolio’s strategies.

Requirements

Role’s responsibilities  

Strategy & planning  

• Prepare (independently or with minimum support) and present high-quality applicable analysis, research as required to inform strategic priorities and setting operational plans.  
• Coordinate inputs from various stakeholders including Government, donor partners and implementing agencies to input into strategic priorities.  

 Programme development, delivery & performance  

• Develop a pipeline of potential investments for the CHD portfolio.  
• Work as part of the Resilient Communities team, and with colleagues in Girl Capital to lead, shape, implement and scale integrated investments that address problems holistically and in line with our Africa Strategic priorities. 
• Conduct regular reviews of the progress and performance of investments to identify problems and delays, and work with partners to develop effective solutions (escalating to the Director for support and intervention, where required).  
• With the advice of EME counterparts, identify and embed appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes to all proposals and programmes.  
• Lead the design of investments, identification of appropriate grantees, approval within CIFF and commissioning of programmes for implementation in accordance with CIFF processes.  
• Apply agreed due diligence and risk management protocols appropriately throughout the development and delivery of investment proposals, to ensure the interests and reputation of the Foundation are protected.  
• Identify synergies and actively encourage integration across programmes. Facilitate linkages with complementary projects, proposing ways to overlay different interventions.  
• Identify opportunities and options for improving processes, procedures and programme management approaches within (and beyond) the team, to support increased organisational efficiency and effectiveness.  
• Work closely with members of the Finance and Legal team to coordinate the development of grant agreements, to forecast and process grant payments and to enable effective grant management and reporting within the organisation. 
• Act as ‘Super-User’ for CIFF’s online grants management system (Fluxx) for the team, to ensure compliance to the corporate requirements for the child health and development team.  
• Support the preparation of summary reports, board reports, and portfolio investment reports to ensure these are produced to a high standard and in a timely fashion—which can often mean high quality in rapid timeframes.  

Sector knowledge and profile-building 

• Keep abreast of developments within CHD and related sectors within international development, establishing appropriate information-gathering networks and channels to deepen professional knowledge, skills and opportunities for CIFF and our grantees.  
• As required, contribute to the development of thought leadership, PR, marketing, and advocacy materials to support CIFF’s ambitions to scale up, mainstream, and leverage additional support for its initiatives.  
• In collaboration with Directors, carve out and shape outward-facing advocacy and policy agendas to influence the CHD sector. 
• Review relevant academic studies, policies and government schemes which may be effectively used and provide recommendations to address gaps and improvements.  
• Represent CIFF at conferences, workshops, and professional events. 

Stakeholder and partner management  

• Conduct rigorous research and evaluation of potential partners, using agreed corporate protocols and techniques, to assess their suitability and credentials for collaborating on CIFF initiatives.  
• Apply CIFF’s agreed account management and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) disciplines and approaches in all dealings with programme partners and stakeholders to ensure productive and professional relationships are maintained in a coordinated and strategic manner.  
• Under the direction of more senior colleagues, help to develop strategic partnerships to support adoption, replication, co- funding or scaling-up of CIFF programmes.  
• With a variety of external audiences, act as a knowledgeable resource about CIFF’s programmes and priority areas.  
• Engage with and maintain open and constructive dialogue with relevant Government ministries and agencies and central and state levels to ensure effective programme implementation and sustainability of outcomes.  

Skills & Experience   

• Educated to post-graduate degree level, or equivalent by experience – preference for specialization in medical sciences, health financing & policy development, nutrition & food systems, health systems strengthening or related areas
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the African context, international development and global health.
• Demonstrable experience in analysis and due diligence; policy, planning and programme delivery, including field experience, all within the development sector
• Experience in designing and implementing CHD strategies and investments
• Ability to speak and write articulately and credibly about programmes for children. Knowledge of the evidence bases on programme design and implementation in CHD
• Strong working knowledge of impact measurement and programme monitoring and evaluation
• An innovative thinker with a pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset
• Ability to analyse an organisation’s strength of management, vision and adaptive capacity. Ability to recruit, guide, influence and/or advise management teams to effectively implement programmes
• Experience working within government systems and/or experience influencing the policies of government agencies, private sector organizations or donor organisations
• Effectively champions and promotes causes – credible and professional, they always present the Foundation’s programmes in a compelling way to engage the audience
• Skilled in relationship building and strengthening; able to influence others and work collaboratively, uniting groups with a shared purpose
• English is CIFF’s business language – we expect all of our people to display outstanding verbal and written communication skills across all aspects of their role.
• Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness
• IT proficiency (most specifically in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• A proven self-starter, who works with pace and resilience
• Willingness to travel regularly.