Director, Africa at Mary Dinah Foundation

Role Overview

• The Director, Africa will provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership to advance MDF’s mission across the continent. This senior executive role combines business development, impact finance, communications leadership, and regional program oversight — driving MDF’s growth, financial sustainability, brand visibility, and partnership strategy.
• The ideal candidate is a finance and development leader with a proven record of securing large-scale grants or investments, designing innovative financing models, leading multicultural teams, and amplifying organizational impact through strong media, public relations, and brand management.
• This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of one of Africa’s fastest-growing humanitarian organizations — and is a direct succession track to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) based on exceptional results.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Regional Oversight

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for MDF’s programs and operations across Africa.
• Oversee implementation of programs in nutrition, maternal and child health, education, WASH, and protection.
• Build and manage relationships with government stakeholders, donors, and implementing partners.
• Represent MDF in high-level regional and international forums, conferences, and donor engagements.

Finance & Impact Investment

• Design and structure MDF’s innovative financing and investment models aligned with its philanthropic mission.
• Lead financial modeling, cashflow forecasting, and capital allocation strategies across programs.
• Develop and oversee impact measurement frameworks that integrate financial performance with social outcomes.
• Strengthen governance, compliance, and risk management systems across MDF’s country operations.

Resource Mobilization & Business Development

• Lead MDF’s fundraising strategy to secure six- and seven-figure funding from institutional, government, foundation, and private-sector donors.
• Conduct prospect research and mapping to identify new funding opportunities and partnerships.
• Manage the end-to-end proposal development process, including opportunity identification, technical writing, budgeting, and submission.
• Develop high-quality concept notes, proposals, presentations, and strategic materials tailored to donor audiences.

Communications, Media & Branding

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for MDF’s communications, media, and branding functions across all African programs.
• Supervise communications, PR, and media teams to ensure alignment with MDF’s mission, visibility goals, and donor engagement strategies.
• Oversee development and dissemination of high-impact content — including press releases, media campaigns, reports, social media, and digital storytelling — that amplify MDF’s impact and thought leadership.
• Ensure brand consistency across all internal and external communications, including donor-facing and public materials.
• Represent MDF in media appearances and key public engagements, serving as a spokesperson when required.

Partnerships & External Engagement

• Build and maintain high-value relationships with DFIs, philanthropic foundations, and impact investors.
• Negotiate and manage strategic partnerships, MOUs, and multi-year funding agreements.
• Represent MDF at external meetings, investment forums, and regional summits.

Organizational Development

• Support the CEO and Board in shaping MDF’s long-term growth and sustainability strategy.
• Mentor and supervise senior managers and country representatives to deliver program and fundraising targets.
• Strengthen internal systems, performance frameworks, and reporting mechanisms across MDF’s African portfolio.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Development, Communications, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in international development, finance, impact investing, or a related field.
• Proven record of securing six- or seven-figure funding from institutional donors or investors.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in financial modeling, structuring, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to align financial and communications strategies with programmatic and social impact objectives.
• Proven experience managing media, PR, and brand visibility across multiple countries or regions.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, reports, and presentations.
• Experience leading multicultural teams across multiple countries.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Additional Information

• MDF is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work.
• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.
• This job description outlines the primary responsibilities and expectations of the role. It is not a contract of employment, and MDF reserves the right to revise it as needed.