Director - Ecosystem Development & Equity

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’ll 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. 

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’s innovative Ecosystem Development team—comprising the Organisational & Ecosystem Development (OED) and Ecosystem Development & Equity (EDE) clusters—the Director will play a pivotal role in implementing CIFF’s cross-cutting Ecosystem Development (EcoDev) strategy, which enables strategic scaling of CIFF’s Missions to drive sustainable, systemic change.  

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) and 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’s approach to building and strengthening cross-sectoral ecosystem infrastructure (incl. to advance philanthropic fundraising for CIFF’s strategic priority areas).  

In this strategic leadership role, they will guide a high-performing team to deliver impactful, analytically rigorous, cross-sectoral and inclusive 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’s Centres of Excellence to shape and execute a bold ecosystem influencing strategy that elevates equity, women’s and youth leadership, and sustainable systems change. 

The Director will strategically navigate and connect complex, intersecting issues, and drive the development of partnerships at the intersection of CIFF’s strategic priority areas, e.g. climate and gender, climate and children’s 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. 

Role’s responsibilities

As a leader within the Ecosystem Development & Equity team, the Director, EDE will:  

• Together with the Global Director, EDE provide leadership and coherence for the EDE cluster and drive collaboration with the OED cluster, to advance CIFF’s joint EcoDev vision and strategy, under the overall direction of CEDO. 

• Be responsible for strategy, portfolio development and programme management of investments, ensuring they are aligned to the Foundation Strategy.  

• 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.  

• Take the lead on corporate, cross-cutting initiatives and projects, as required by the Executive Team.  

• 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.  

• Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the sector specialism, always acting as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the Foundation’s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary and collaborative philanthropy.  

• Deputise for the Global Director, EDE, where needed. 

Strategy & planning 

• Lead the design and execution of the strategy and portfolio of the EDE cluster, to deliver against the unified EcoDev vision and ensure the effective in-year prioritization of resources and activities to enable impact, demonstrating systemic thinking and operational grip.   

• Play a pivotal co-leadership role in advancing CIFF’s ecosystem building efforts in Europe, creating and harnessing strategic synergies across sector partnerships and initiatives to build shared ecosystem building agendas and drive better strategic collaboration amongst philanthropic and other partners.   

• Provide strategic support to CEDO and the Director, EDE, to integrate and align regional ecosystem influencing and thought leadership strategies with global objectives.   

• Continuously seek opportunities to improve CIFF’s ecosystem building and equity practices and approaches within CIFF and encourage innovation and adoption of best practices across the philanthropic and wider development sectors.  

Programme development, delivery & performance 

• 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.  

• 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.   

• Implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and impact of programmes, adapting strategies as necessary.   

• Ensure that appropriate procedures and frameworks are in place to support the effective leveraging and scaling-up of successful programmes and initiatives.   

• Review the processes and procedures in place across the team, to identify and implement improved ways of working that increase operational effectiveness and efficiency.  

• 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.   

Sector knowledge and profile-building 

• 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’s and broader ED team’s work is shaped by the most up-to-date insights and research.  

• Proactively support the CEDO, the Global Director, EDE and the Global Director, OED, CIFF’s 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.   

• Represent CIFF in relevant forums, conferences, and networks, promoting CIFF’s work and actively driving thought leadership in the sector.   

• Lead high-level advocacy and influencing efforts to advance CIFF’s objectives, particularly on ecosystem development.   

Stakeholder and partner management 

• 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’s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary, collaborative and equity-focused philanthropy.  

• Build strong and trusted working relationship with the ET, Programme COOs and CIFF’s broader Director cadre ensuring that our ecosystem development plans, and the specific role of the EDE team is well understood and embraced.   

• 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’s delivery and impact.   

• 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’s and the ED team’s objectives in a coordinated manner.   

• 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.   

Leadership of the team 

• 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.   

• Work with the Global Director, EDE, in reviewing the EDE team’s priorities, to ensure CIFF is making maximum impact in those areas with the resources available.   

• Provide inspiring and motivational leadership to a team of professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning and role-modelling CIFF’s Code of Respect and leadership behaviours, to empower and enable staff to deliver excellence. 

• Develop and mentor more junior team members, enhancing their skills and capabilities in line with the strategic objectives of the organisation.   

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

• 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.   

• 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.  

• Expertise at enabling cross learning and co-creating with ecosystem actors within and beyond philanthropy to achieve and turbocharge CIFF missions.  

• Deep knowledge of sector trends and opportunities that can be leveraged by a mission- and impact-driven philanthropy like CIFF.  

• Specific knowledge of geopolitical trends, risks and opportunities affecting philanthropy’s credibility, convening power and license to operate, and deep knowledge and existing networks of philanthropic and ecosystem partners, in particular in Europe. 

• Excellent leadership skills, with a track record of inspiring and guiding teams towards achieving strategic objectives.  

• Experience in mentoring and developing professionals at various career stages, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.   

• Significant experience in strategic planning, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.  

• Extensive experience in managing complex projects, ensuring alignment with organisational goals, and delivering within timelines and budgets.   

• 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. 

• Trusted to lead high stakes relationships, align diverse interests and steward coalitions towards common goals 

• Sharp analytical acumen, using data to drive decisions and continuously refine approaches. A bias for innovation, always seeking smarter, scalable, and more sustainable solutions. 

• Clear, persuasive communicator with a strong presence in public forums. Experienced in thought leadership, advocacy, and shaping sector discourse through compelling narrative and influence.   

• Highly attuned to cultural nuances, with experience leading across diverse, global settings. Brings a global perspective rooted in empathy, inclusion, and contextual sensitivity. 

• 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.   

Key working relationships 

• Global Director, EDE  

• CIFF Executive Director, Climate and CEDO   

• CIFF Executive Team and Board Members   

• OED cluster  

• Program COOs and Director cadre   

• 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)  

• Leadership of other Cross-Functional Teams within CIFF (e.g., Finance, Legal)   

• External Partners (Bilateral Funders, Peer Philanthropic Funders, Governments, Multilateral Organisations, Corporate Sector, Intermediaries)   

• Grantees and Communities/Individuals served by CIFF   

• Sector Experts and Thought Leaders

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 allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance

Please 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.