Director of Programmes & Strategy at Rhizome Consulting

Job Summary

• The Director of Programmes and Strategy will serve as a core member of the leadership team, responsible for driving programme design, strategic direction, and execution across Nigeria. The position holder will oversee a portfolio of high-impact initiatives, cultivate strategic partnerships, and ensure measurable results that align with the organisation’s mission and Africa-focused growth. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader who combines strategic thinking with a deep understanding of agricultural development in West Africa.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and scaling of integrated agricultural programmes across six northern Nigerian states.
• Translate organisational vision into executable country-level strategies, with clear milestones and performance indicators.
• Build and manage a high-performing programme team with a culture of accountability, learning, and collaboration.
• Forge and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, donors, private sector players, and civil society actors.
• Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems to track impact and inform adaptive programming.
• Represent the organisation at high-level meetings, policy platforms, and regional development forums.
• Contribute to the expansion strategy across Africa by providing insight, thought leadership, and regional intelligence.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

• A master’s degree or higher in International Development, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Public Policy, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills & Experiences

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in international development, with at least 5 years in a senior strategic, programme director or a strategy role.
• Strong expertise in agricultural value chains, rural livelihoods, or market systems development, preferably within West Africa.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder programmes from design to scale.
• Deep understanding of the socio-economic landscape of Northern Nigeria.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, partnership-building, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent leadership, team building, and change management skills.
• Superior communication and negotiation abilities, with a fluency in English (Hausa is an asset).
• Willingness to travel frequently within the country and occasionally internationally.