Main purpose of the role

As a recognised leader in Child Protection, you will lead the development of cutting edge and evidence-based strategies and plans that ensure CIFF’s work across the Child Protection sector achieve transformational and lasting change.

The focus of the programme is on key components of child protection like preventing forced child labour, preventing child trafficking, working to end child marriage, and preventing child abuse. You will manage a high-quality portfolio of investment proposals and active programmes that contribute to the delivery of the Child Protection sector team priorities and meet the corporate objectives of the CIFF Board. In addition, this role

Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the sector specialism, acting at all times as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the organisation’s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary and collaborative philanthropy championing the cause of children.

Role’s responsibilities

Strategy & planning

·        Prepare and present high-quality analysis and research, as required, to support the sector in determining longer term future strategic priorities. Setting and implementing sustainable operational plans.

·        Lead the production of the Child protection programme strategy and its related results. Produce the associated evidence base, alongside other team members, prior to a proposal’s submission for approval.

·        Lead on the development of strategies related to child protection including sustainable approaches and investments to address protection and safety in virtual spaces and mitigating technology enabled harm for children.

Programme development, delivery & performance

·        Personally manage a portfolio of live programmes with a value of USD 50 million and an active pipeline of potential investments of up to USD 5million, in accordance with the sector priorities and plan.

·        Against key corporate and / or sector team indicators and targets, monitor and report internally on the performance of assigned portfolio.

·        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.

·        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.

·        Working either with sector colleagues or independently, prepare summary reports, board reports and portfolio investment reports, ensuring these are produced to a high-standard and in a timely fashion, often within tight timeframes.

·        Co-ordinate the development of grant agreements, to forecast and process grant payments and to enable effective grant management and reporting within the organisation.

·        Identify synergies and actively encourage integration across programmes. Facilitate linkages with complementary projects across both the jurisdiction and other cultural programmes, proposing ways to overlay different interventions.

·        Working closely with and taking the advice and guidance of, the sector team’s Evidence, Measurement and Evaluation (EME) Business Partner, identify and embed appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes to all proposals and programmes.

·        Conduct regular reviews of the progress and performance of programmes under delivery to identify problems and delays, and work with partners to develop effective solutions (escalating to more senior colleagues for support and intervention, where required).

·        Work as part of a team to shape and implement plans for scaling up, replicating or leveraging additional support for successful programmes and initiatives, in accordance with Foundation priorities.

·        Using expert judgement to propose solutions in relation to complex, non-routine  and unclear problems where limited information may be available.

·        Leads development of new, and identifes opportunities andoptions for improving processes, procedures and programme management approaches within (and beyond) the team, to support increased organisational efficiency and effectiveness.

Sector knowledge and profile-building

·        Keep abreast of developments within the child protection and international development sectors, establishing appropriate information gathering networks and channels to deepen professional knowledge and skills.

·        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.

·        Represent CIFF at conferences, workshops, 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 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.

·        Working alongside 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, develop and maintain strong partnerships and act as a knowledgeable resource about CIFF’s programmes and priority areas.

·        Engage with and maintain open and constructive dialogue with relevant international, national and state level stakeholders particularly across Government ministries and agencies.

·        Making recommendations for transformative change within CIFF in relation top the child protection agenda. Achieving engagement from leadership on proposals for future strategies and delivery of tactical results.

Membership and leadership of the team

·        Be a role model to less experienced team members, demonstrating CIFF’s leadership behaviours and providing mentorship to aid their growth.

·       Adopt a coaching approach with colleagues which instills a culture of openness and trust, embraces diverse thinking, and encourages continuous improvement and learning.

We operate a matrix structure so reporting lines can vary between specific aspects of the role.

Requirements

Skills & Experience 

·       Demonstrable experience in analysis and due diligence; policy, planning and programme delivery, including field experience, all within the development sector

·       Experience in working on child protection programmes and ability to communicate articulately and credibly about programmes for children.

·       Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning

·       Knowledge of the evidence bases pertaining to programme design and implementation, and belief in the importance of evidence-based decision making

·       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

Key working relationships

·        CIFF Board members

·        Other CIFF teams – particularly EME and functional teams (e.g. legal, HR, finance)

·        Global partners and stakeholders – e.g. WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, DFID, World Bank, USAID et al

·        International charities and NGOs – e.g. Gates Foundation, Save the Children et al

·        National governments and local NGO partners in priority geographies

·        Research and academic institutions active on child protection and related issues.

Management dimensions

Responsibility for personal pipeline and delivery targets of USD 5 million and USD$25 million respectively.

Benefits

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 allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance

Please submit your application on or before 27 May 2024.