Main Purpose of the Roleย ย ย
The Director, Development Finance - Africa will provide leadership to CIFF\u2019s development finance function in Africa, driving the design and implementation of catalytic financing solutions that leverage CIFF\u2019s capital to crowd in additional public and private resources, strengthen fiscal resilience, and accelerate progress towards CIFF Africa strategic missions including:ย
All Africa Girls in Quality Educationย End preventable maternal, newborn an d child deaths in Africaย Break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition in Africaย End 7 Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africaย End Child Pregnancy, Child Rape and Child Marriage in Africaย Women\u2019s Economic EmpowermentยIn this capacity, the role holder will be responsible for ensuring that Africa\u2019s development finance agenda is firmly embedded within, and aligned to, the overall CIFF Development Finance Framework and approved global strategy. They will work closely with governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, regional bodies, DFIs, MDBs, private sector partners, and philanthropies to design and deliver innovative and scalable financing pathways that enable long-term, sustainable investment in Africa\u2019s development priorities. By positioning CIFF as a thought leader and convenor in the development finance ecosystem, the Director will ensure CIFF\u2019s funding is deployed in ways that not only deliver immediate impact but also catalyse systemic change and sustainable financing flows andย build partnerships across the capital continuum.ย ย
The role will also provide mentoring to Managers and Analysts in the Africa team, embedding best-in-class financial expertise, modelling, and investment structuring into CIFF\u2019s Africa missions. Through this, the Director will strengthen CIFF\u2019s institutional capacity to integrate development finance into its programmes, while ensuring alignment with CIFF\u2019s mission of unlocking transformative, African-led solutions for children.ย ย
Role\u2019s Responsibilitiesย ย ย
Strategy & Planningย
Develop and implement the development finance agenda in Africa, ensuring full alignment with CIFF\u2019s overall Development Finance Framework and global strategy, while tailoring delivery to Africa\u2019s missions and localisation ambition.ย Design and deliver financing mechanisms (e.g., blended finance structures, innovative debt instruments, social and development impact bonds, guarantees, public-private partnerships) that leverage CIFF\u2019s catalytic capital to unlock greater resources in support of CIFF\u2019s missions.ย Work alongside the Deputy Executive Director, Africa to lead development finance contributions to annual and long-term business planning, distilling ambitions into pipelines, investment strategies, and measurable outcomes.ย Collaborate across CIFF pillar teams to integrate development finance solutions into missions and investment memo\u2019s, maximizing multiplier effects and systemic change.ย ย Stay connected to relevant geopolitical trends and new developments that could impact the strategy and reflect these appropriately from convening other organisations CIFF can work with including philanthropies and bilateral donors.ย Bring catalytic and innovative new thinking to our existing and new portfolios to scale the work and maximize the impact.ยProgramme Development, Delivery & Performanceย
Lead the identification and structuring of catalytic financing opportunities that advance CIFF\u2019s strategic priorities, with a focus on creating pathways for private sector engagement, sustainable fiscal frameworks, and blended finance solutions.ย Guide the structuring of investment proposals, ensuring financial innovation, risk management, and alignment with CIFF\u2019s impact objectives.ย Provide technical development finance advice and guidance on portfolio management to pillar directors, managers and analysts, ensuring timely delivery, performance management, and compliance with governance standards.ย Apply agreed due diligence and risk management protocols appropriately throughout the development and delivery of proposals and programmes, to ensure the interests and reputation of the Foundation are protected.ย Conduct structured feasibility analysis on investment proposals, using an appropriate range of methodologies and techniques, to ensure they are based on logical and robust assumptions, which can withstand scrutiny from the Executive Team (ET) and CIFF Board.ย ย Champion evidence generation, embedding financial modelling, ROI analysis, and cost-benefit approaches into programme design and evaluation.ย Identify and cultivate opportunities for co-funding and leveraged partnerships, working closely with Africa pillar teams.ยย Sector Knowledge and Profile-Buildingย
Act as CIFF\u2019s subject-matter expert in development finance in Africa, providing timely insights to the Africa Leadership Team, CIFF Executive Team, and the Board, working in partnership with the Lead Economist in the CEO Office.ย Engage in thought leadership and field-building by working alongside the Deputy Executive Director \u2013 Africa and shaping discourse on sustainable financing for development, fiscal resilience, and innovative finance in Africa.ย Build and maintain a strong external network of policymakers, investors, DFIs, and philanthropies, positioning CIFF as a trusted partner in development finance.ยStakeholder and Partner Managementย
Develop and manage strategic partnerships with national governments, regional economic communities, multilateral development banks, DFIs, African philanthropies, and the private sector.ย Collaborate with the Chief of Staff, Strategic Communication and Partnerships Director to cultivate partnerships that advance our development finance agenda.ย ย Alongside other Development Finance Directors and the Deputy Executive Director \u2013 Africa, support government counterparts in designing sustainable fiscal frameworks, including domestic resource mobilisation, and debt management.ยLeadership of the Teamย
Offer inspiring and motivational leadership that role models CIFF\u2019s values and leadership behaviours, and empowers and enables staff to deliver excellenceย ย Adopt a coaching approach with colleagues which instills a culture of openness and trust, embraces diverse thinking, and encourages continuous improvement and learningย Provide ongoing support to all direct reports in manager and/or analyst roles ensuring high performance is enabled through objective setting, clear accountabilities and regular review.ยRequirements
Skills & Experienceย ย
Strong experience in development finance, investment banking, blended finance, or fiscal policy, with desirable exposure to sectors such as health, education, climate, or gender in the African context.ย Demonstrated ability to design, structure, and scale catalytic financing instruments that mobilise domestic and international resources.ย Strong track record of working with African governments, multilateral development banks, DFIs, and philanthropies to deliver sustainable finance outcomes.ย Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning \u2013 preferably within an international development or charitable setting.ย ย Detailed understanding of the African macroeconomic, fiscal, and political economy context.ย High-level financial literacy, including cost-benefit analysis, ROI methodologies, and modelling of complex transactions.ย Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and influencing skills, with experience convening diverse stakeholders toward shared goals.ย Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, develop, and hold teams accountable.ย Excellent analytical, strategic, and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical finance concepts into compelling narratives.ย
Key Working Relationshipsย
CIFF Board and PIC membersย CIFF CEO Office especially the Lead Economist and his teamย Other CIFF Africa pillar teamsย ย Other CIFF teams \u2013 particularly functional teams (e.g., legal, HR, finance)Global institutional partners/stakeholders, Funders, African Philanthropiesย ย National governments, regional bodies, and local NGO partners in priority geographiesย Multilateral development banks, DFIs, and philanthropiesย Research and academic institutions active within sector specialismย
Management Dimensionsย
Relational Dimensionย ย
Cultivates and maintains strong relationships in Africa with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, private sector partners, investors, and community leaders.ย Leads and mentors a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented culture.ย Represents CIFF Africa effectively in negotiations, forums, and public engagements to advance development finance initiatives.ยStrategic Dimensionย
In collaboration with any other Development Finance Directors, leads the delivery of CIFF Africa\u2019s development finance agenda, ensuring it is fully aligned with and contributes to the implementation of CIFF\u2019s global Development Finance Framework and approved strategy.ย Identifies and evaluates new investment and financing opportunities that respond to Africa\u2019s development priorities and CIFF Africa missions, ensuring they are designed and delivered in alignment with CIFF\u2019s global Development Finance Framework.ย ย Oversees the entire project lifecycle, from design to monitoring and impact assessment.ยEnvironmental/ Contextual Dimensionย ย
Possesses a deep understanding of the political, economic, and social landscape of the regions where the CIFF operates.ย Navigates complex social political environments and adapts strategies to changing market conditions.ย ย Ensures all projects and financial activities adhere to ethical standards, social safeguards, and environmental best practices.ยBenefits
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following:
Annual leave - 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service to a maximum of 30 days. Bonus - CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme. Pension Private medical insurance Training allowance Wellbeing allowance Life insuranceThe closing date for this role is on or before Tuesday, October 14, 2025; CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.