We are looking for a strategic leader who can help shape resilient and inclusive ecosystems that drive positive and sustainable change across CIFF's priority areas (incl. Climate, Child Health & Nutrition, SRHR, Girls' Education & Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence Against Children). As Director of Ecosystem Development & Equity, you\u2019ll co-lead CIFF's ecosystem foresight, thought partnership and influencing strategy, focusing on connecting ideas, people, organisations and platforms to build strong networks and systems that support our charitable mission and commitment to equity and inclusion.ย
Main purpose of the role
The Director, Ecosystem Development & Equity (EDE) is a visionary leader with deep expertise in advancing ecosystem development and equity across the development and climate sectors. As part of CIFF\u2019s innovative Ecosystem Development team\u2014comprising the Organisational & Ecosystem Development (OED) and Ecosystem Development & Equity (EDE) clusters\u2014the Director will play a pivotal role in implementing CIFF\u2019s cross-cutting Ecosystem Development (EcoDev) strategy, which enables strategic scaling of CIFF\u2019s Missions to drive sustainable, systemic change.ย ย
This strategy is anchored in three pillars: Ecosystem Foresight, Building & Strengthening, and Thought Leadership & Influencing. The Director will collaborate closely with the Global Director, EDE, and the Chief Ecosystem Development Officer (CEDO) to advance implementation of Pillar 3 (Ecosystem Influencing and Thought Leadership) and Pillar 1 (Ecosystem Foresight). They will be responsible for analysing ecosystem risks & opportunities, designing and executing ecosystem partnership strategies (e.g. with European philanthropy) andย convening partners to co-create equitable, locally led ecosystem investments. Additionally, the Director will support Pillar 2 by partnering with the OED cluster to optimise CIFF\u2019s approach to building and strengthening cross-sectoral ecosystem infrastructure (incl. to advance philanthropic fundraising for CIFF\u2019s strategic priority areas).ย ย
In this strategic leadership role, they will guide a high-performing team to deliver impactful, analytically rigorous, cross-sectoral and inclusiveย ecosystem initiatives, while cultivating trust-based relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, civil society leaders, government officials, and representatives of multilateral organisations and the private sector. The Director will represent CIFF in influential forums, deputise for the Global Director, EDE, and collaborate across CIFF\u2019s Centres of Excellence to shape and execute a bold ecosystem influencing strategy that elevates equity, women\u2019s and youth leadership, and sustainable systems change.ย
The Director will strategically navigate and connect complex, intersecting issues, and drive the development of partnerships at the intersection of CIFF\u2019s strategic priority areas, e.g. climate and gender, climate and children\u2019s health and wellbeing, climate and online safety, gender equality and violence against children, climate and water, etc., using ecosystem thinking to drive integrated and transformative solutions.ย
Role\u2019s responsibilities
As a leader within the Ecosystem Development & Equity team, the Director, EDE will:\u202fย
Together with the Global Director, EDE provide leadership and coherence for the EDE cluster and drive collaboration with the OED cluster, to advance CIFF\u2019s joint EcoDev vision and strategy, under the overall direction of CEDO.ย Be responsible for strategy, portfolio development and programme management of investments, ensuring they are aligned to the Foundation Strategy.ย ย Provide up-to-date, professional advice to the Executive Team and CIFF Board on ecosystem trends, risks and opportunities and recommended risk mitigation strategies, to support the development of Foundation-wide strategies, policies, initiatives, or risk-related issues.ย ย Take the lead on corporate, cross-cutting initiatives and projects, as required by the Executive Team.ย ย Provide compelling, consistent and united leadership which creates clarity for staff in the team and builds a sense of shared accountability for its success and that of the Foundation.ย ย Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the sector specialism, always acting as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the Foundation\u2019s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary and collaborative philanthropy.ย ย Deputise for the Global Director, EDE, where needed.ยStrategy & planningย
Programme development, delivery & performanceย
Provide strategic oversight of the development, implementation, and evaluation of EDE initiatives and projects, ensuring they meet strategic goals, timelines, and budgetary constraints, integral to the execution of the overall EcoDev Strategy, and seeking partnership and collaboration, as needed, with the OED cluster, to ensure a coherent and unified implementation.\u202fย Conduct regular reviews of investment proposals under development and initiatives/programmes in delivery, to monitor compliance with agreed due diligence and risk management protocols, ensuring the interests and reputation of CIFF are appropriately and proportionately protected. Intervene to take corrective action where necessary.\u202f\u202fย Implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and impact of programmes, adapting strategies as necessary.\u202f\u202fย Ensure that appropriate procedures and frameworks are in place to support the effective leveraging and scaling-up of successful programmes and initiatives.\u202f\u202fย Review the processes and procedures in place across the team, to identify and implement improved ways of working that increase operational effectiveness and efficiency.\u202fย Lead the collection and analysis of team performance data and management information, in accordance with CIFF corporate frameworks and requirements, to enable timely and effective decision-making and planning.\u202f\u202fยSector knowledge and profile-buildingย
Proactively maintain extensive external networks with experts and opinion-formers within the area of personal subject-matter (and/or geographical) specialism, to ensure the EDE team\u2019s and broader ED team\u2019s work is shaped by the most up-to-date insights and research.ย ย Proactively support the CEDO, the Global Director, EDE and the Global Director, OED, CIFF\u2019s approach to mainstream and embed organisation and ecosystem mindset and ecosystem-level tools across the philanthropic community, ramping up efforts to get published, speak publicly, and communicate effective ED strategies.\u202f\u202fย Represent CIFF in relevant forums, conferences, and networks, promoting CIFF\u2019s work and actively driving thought leadership in the sector.\u202f\u202fย Lead high-level advocacy and influencing efforts to advance CIFF\u2019s objectives, particularly on ecosystem development.\u202f\u202fยStakeholder and partner managementย
Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the philanthropic and broader development sector, always acting as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the organisation\u2019s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary, collaborative and equity-focused philanthropy.\u202fย Build strong and trusted working relationship with the ET, Programme COOs and CIFF\u2019s broader Director cadre ensuring that our ecosystem development plans, and the specific role of the EDE team is well understood and embraced.\u202f\u202fย In accordance with agreed account management principles and plans, build and proactively maintain strategic relationships with key external and internal partners, stakeholders, and grantees to enhance the ED team\u2019s delivery and impact.\u202f\u202fย Act as a key liaison between CIFF and ecosystem partners, including peer funders, governments, multilateral institutions, private sector and civil society partners to support the achievement of CIFF\u2019s and the ED team\u2019s objectives in a coordinated manner.\u202f\u202fย Advise and support more junior colleagues in identifying, negotiating with, and managing appropriate programme partners (as required), to enable CIFF to maximise its philanthropic impact through effective collaboration.\u202f\u202fยLeadership of the teamย
Support the Global Director, EDE, in providing compelling, consistent, and united leadership, which creates clarity for all staff in the team and builds a sense of shared accountability for its success and that of the organisation.\u202f\u202fย Work with the Global Director, EDE, in reviewing the EDE team\u2019s priorities, to ensure CIFF is making maximum impact in those areas with the resources available.\u202f\u202fย Provide inspiring and motivational leadership to a team of professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning and role-modelling CIFF\u2019s Code of Respect and leadership behaviours, to empower and enable staff to deliver excellence.ย Develop and mentor more junior team members, enhancing their skills and capabilities in line with the strategic objectives of the organisation.\u202f\u202fย Adopt a coaching approach with colleagues which instils a culture of openness and trust, embraces diverse thinking, and encourages continuous improvement and learning.\u202f\u202fย 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.\u202f\u202fยRequirements
Recognised as subject matter expert with deep knowledge in designing and implementing innovative advocacy, influencing and thought leadership strategies and transformative initiatives that can materially and sustainably impact change across sector and ecosystems.ย ย Expertise at enabling cross learning and co-creating with ecosystem actors within and beyond philanthropy to achieve and turbocharge CIFF missions.ย ย Deep knowledge of sector trends and opportunities that can be leveraged by a mission- and impact-driven philanthropy like CIFF.\u202fย Specific knowledge of geopolitical trends, risks and opportunities affecting philanthropy\u2019s credibility, convening power and license to operate, and deep knowledge and existing networks of philanthropic and ecosystem partners, in particular in Europe.ย Excellent leadership skills, with a track record of inspiring and guiding teams towards achieving strategic objectives.ย ย Experience in mentoring and developing professionals at various career stages, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.\u202f\u202fย Significant experience in strategic planning, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.ย ย Extensive experience in managing complex projects, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, and delivering within timelines and budgets.\u202f\u202fย Outstanding stakeholder management skills with a strong track record of building and maintaining strategic relationships with a wide range of senior stakeholders, including grantees, peer funders, governments, non-profits, and other relevant ecosystem actors.ย Trusted to lead high stakes relationships, align diverse interests and steward coalitions towards common goalsย Sharp analytical acumen, using data to drive decisions and continuously refine approaches. A bias for innovation, always seeking smarter, scalable, and more sustainable solutions.ย Clear, persuasive communicator with a strong presence in public forums. Experienced in thought leadership, advocacy, and shaping sector discourse through compelling narrative and influence. \u202fย Highly attuned to cultural nuances, with experience leading across diverse, global settings. Brings a global perspective rooted in empathy, inclusion, and contextual sensitivity.ย Ability to adapt to changing environments and challenges, maintaining effectiveness in varying circumstances. A mindset geared towards innovation and continuous improvement, always seeking to refine practices and approaches for better outcomes.\u202f\u202fย
Key working relationshipsย
Global Director, EDE\u202fย CIFF Executive Director, Climate and CEDO\u202f\u202fย CIFF Executive Team and Board Members\u202f\u202fย OED clusterย ย Program COOs and Director cadre\u202f\u202fย Leadership of other Centres of Excellence, specifically Director, External Affairs (EA), Director Partnerships/CEO Office, Director Impact Knowledge Hub (IKH), Directors People & Culture (P&C) and Learning & Development (L&D)\u202fย Leadership of other Cross-Functional Teams within CIFF (e.g., Finance, Legal)\u202f\u202fย External Partners (Bilateral Funders, Peer Philanthropic Funders, Governments, Multilateral Organisations, Corporate Sector, Intermediaries)\u202f\u202fย Grantees and Communities/Individuals served by CIFF\u202f\u202fย Sector Experts and Thought LeadersBenefits
CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees work in the office and some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.
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.Training allowanceWellbeing allowanceLife insuranceMedical insurancePlease submit your application on or before Wednesday 3rd December 2025. CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.