Program Director, West Africa

About the role

The Beginnings Fund, a philanthropic initiative focused on maternal and newborn survival in Africa, is looking for a Program Director, West Africa, through SRI Executive Search. Reporting to the CEO, the Program Director provides strategic technical leadership, investment design, grantmaking, oversight and coordination of a portfolio of programs, and explores further opportunities to support maternal and newborn health in West Africa. The role is full-time, based near Ghana or Nigeria, with 30-50% travel, and is a 2-year renewable contract.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the completion and refinement of Ghana's investment plan with the Ministry of Health and government stakeholders, and oversee country-specific investment plans
• Shape the investment approach in Nigeria, building relationships with federal and state government stakeholders and adapting it to evidence and country priorities
• Support the CEO and Investment Committee in articulating the investment case, engaging the Technical Advisory Group and Investment Committee on priorities and decisions
• Lead strategic grantmaking, strengthen grantmaking processes and promote trust-based approaches that build partner capacity
• Identify and recommend implementing partners, oversee their delivery and support their capacity strengthening
• Oversee program implementation, coordinate grantee reporting and impact measurement, and use data and real-time learning to adapt programs
• Build relationships with government leaders, donors and regional institutions, and develop strategic partnerships to influence policy and mobilise funding

Required profile

• 10 years of experience in a leadership position in global health and development, preferably maternal and newborn health in Africa
• Master's degree in public health, Global Health, International Relations or a related field
• Experience leading program design, grantmaking and execution, preferably in the health sector, and with private philanthropy and large-scale programs
• Knowledge of maternal and newborn health programming and experience with African governments, NGOs and multilateral organisations
• Lived experience of working in developing contexts, preferably in the focus countries
• Willingness to travel 30-50%, ability to lead a dispersed team, strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset