ChildFund is a child- and youth-focused organization working with and for children in communities worldwide. The Country Director, The Gambia is a full-time, fixed-term, on-site role based in Banjul, reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, Programs and Impact.
About the role: The Country Director is ChildFund's principal representative in the country and a strategic, results-oriented leader. They build and sustain high-level relationships with donors, government agencies, private sector actors and civil society organizations to unlock new funding streams and expand ChildFund's reach. The role leads efforts to secure larger, more strategic grants, diversify revenue (including non-traditional funding) and scale programs that respond to the needs of children and communities. It provides strategic oversight across advocacy and communications, partnership portfolio management, program delivery, sponsorship stewardship, administration, enterprise risk management, disaster risk reduction, and safety and security.
Key responsibilities:
- Strategic portfolio growth: build a balanced portfolio of local partnerships, innovative programming and diversified funding, prioritizing locally led development and national priorities in education, child protection, youth employability, climate resilience, food security and community health.
- Program excellence and innovation: lead evidence-based, youth-led programming, MERL, DRR, gender and social inclusion, and safeguarding.
- Grants and project management: oversee high-value grants, ensure donor compliance and strong pre- and post-award management.
- Talent leadership and culture building; lead and mentor the senior leadership team.
- External representation and advocacy with government, donors, INGOs and media on child rights and youth development.
- Resource mobilization and fundraising: develop a country-level resource mobilization strategy and build partnerships with donors, foundations and corporates.
- Organizational leadership, country office sustainability, operational stewardship, governance and compliance, emergency preparedness and response, safety and security, and safeguarding.
Requirements:
- University degree in a relevant field; master's degree strongly preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively senior leadership experience in international development, humanitarian action or related sectors, including at least 5 years in a senior country leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience managing institutional grants and individual donors, and securing funding from bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic and private-sector sources (business development effort of 25% or higher).
- Experience in emergency and/or community development programs.
- Experience representing an organization at senior government, donor and diplomatic levels.
- Experience leading organizations or programs in West Africa strongly preferred.
- Experience managing partnerships with NGOs and local civil society organizations, and leading organizations through change and growth.
ChildFund has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment; the position is subject to vetting checks including a criminal records check.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online through the ChildFund applicant portal at the vacancy page (vacancy number VN3359).
https://weconnectchildfund.my.salesforce-sites.com/careers/fRecruit__ApplyJob?vacancyNo=VN3359