Heifer International is hiring a Senior Vice President – Africa to provide the vision, strategic leadership, and operational direction for our Africa Regional program, which spans nine countries. This role champions Locally Led Development, empowering country nodes to thrive as semi-autonomous, high-performing centers. The SVP Africa reports directly to the CEO and President, representing Heifer internally and across the continent.
What You'll Do
- Lead the design and execution of the Africa regional strategy, aligning with Heifer’s global vision.
- Champion Locally Led Development by empowering country programs to act as strategic and operational centers.
- Establish an enabling environment with Global Support Functions and Regional Nodes to support successful program design, delivery, and adaptation.
- Represent Heifer Africa with bilateral, multilateral, corporate, and philanthropic partners, cultivating long-term relationships.
- Collaborate with global revenue and partnership cultivation teams to secure sustainable funding pipelines.
- Elevate Heifer’s visibility and influence in Africa and abroad through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and thought leadership.
- Build and mentor a high-performing regional leadership team, fostering collaboration and accountability.
- Champion a culture of equity, inclusion, transparency, and integrity that aligns with Heifer’s values.
- Oversee internal program execution, operations, finances, and compliance within Africa.
- Collaborate across functions to mitigate risks, optimize resources, and accelerate results.
- Actively contribute to Heifer’s organizational transformation, ensuring Africa serves as a leading example.
- Institutionalize learning loops that capture insights from Africa programs and share them across Heifer’s global network.
- Promote a culture of shared leadership and interconnectedness across Africa and globally.
What We're Looking For
- A minimum of fifteen (15) years of international development experience with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., international development, business administration, agriculture, economics, or public policy), or a combination of education and experience can be considered.
- Extensive experience living and working in Africa in the field of agriculture, agri-business, and food systems, etc., with strong knowledge of the continent’s development dynamics.
- Knowledge of small holder business development and agriculture.
- Proven success leading complex programs and organizations, including financial and operational management in the non-profit space.
- Demonstrated experience of engaging institutional donors (IFAD, DFID/FCDO, UN agencies, Foundations, Corporations).
- Fluent in English.
- The ability to travel within Africa and globally up to 50% of the time.
Nice to Have
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., international development, business administration, agriculture, economics, or public policy).
- Six to seven (6~7) years of experience in executive leadership roles.
- Prior experience working in the INGO space.
- Proficiency in French or another widely spoken African language.
Team & Environment
This role leads the Africa regional and country nodes, reporting directly to the CEO and President. You will serve as a member of Heifer’s Steering Committee and Global Programs Leadership Team.
Work Mode
This is a hybrid position based in the Africa region.
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
