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Executive Director, Africa

Job Reference tbigc/TP/5126/685 #LI-AG1

This job has been closed.

Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Fixed Term/Full Time
Contract Details:
Ongoing
Salary:
Competitive
Location:
Nairobi
Closing Date:
21/10/2022
Seniority level:
Advisory
Company Industry:
Advisory - Africa
Job Function:
Kenya

Focus of the Role

The Advisory practice within the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) advises reforming political leaders and governments on strategy, policy and delivery and in so doing achieves significant and positive impact for citizens around the world.

The core element of our Advisory Practice is our long-standing work in Africa. Established in 2008 (and previously carried out as the Africa Governance Initiative) we now work  in 17 countries across East, West and Southern Africa with c. 275 employees.  Our work is focussed on supporting leaders to incubate and deliver their visions for their countries; and supporting their governments to build institutional capacity and resilience. Our work in Africa is funded through a mix of philanthropic sources, grants and contracts; and our high-performing teams seek to combine ambitious talent from the private, public and NGO sectors recruited both locally and internationally.  In 2022 and 2023, we have exciting growth plans, both expanding into new strategic geographies e.g. the Sahel, and implementing an ambitious new tech-based partnership.

The Executive Director Africa is a senior role providing deputy leadership to the Managing Director, Africa.  The role will have specific responsibilities for strategy, commercial and operational functions,

The role is supported by senior regional management across the continent (Regional Directors and Country Directors), and requires close working relationships with the Institute’s Executive Chairman, CEO, other Managing Directors across the world, Policy Futures, Fundraising and Institute Resources teams.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Work with the Managing Director, Africa to drive a performance-oriented culture within the five regional and seventeen country teams anchored in TBI’s core values.  This includes reviewing and maintaining the strategy, objectives and key results for the Africa Advisory team, and establishing a clear measurement framework
  • Act as a thought partner to the Managing Director, Africa in identifying new opportunities and partners to drive impact for the Institute’s programmes across Africa
  • Lead on specific initiatives as agreed with the Managing Director, Africa
  • Support cross-functional teams in the development and roll-out of tools and processes to drive impact, increase efficient delivery of programmes, operations, people and financial management
  • Build and manage a high-performing team of associates reporting directly to the Managing Director Africa
  • Focal point for actioning the ‘One-TBI’ agenda within the Africa Advisory team, which is focused on building an organisation combining the best of our technology, policy and advisory global teams into a coherent offer for our clients
  • Establish and maintain effective and trusted relationships with senior politicians in government, including Presidents, PMs, Ministers and Special Advisors, securing mandates with multiple key counterparts as a regular point of contact
  • Shape and embody a positive culture that drives ambition, innovation and delivery
  • Oversee the management of our Africa associates, a group of talented and high performing staff members providing rapid response support on demanding regional programmes
  • Develop and lead coherent fundraising strategies, map donor opportunities across a wide group of stakeholders. Engage with key donors, relevant external stakeholders such as other not for profit organisations, media, suppliers and agencies
  • Support the Manging Director, Africa to ensure expenditure is utilised in line with budget, with robust management accounts and accountability established amongst budget delegations
  • Ensure all necessary risk, legal and financial processes are in place for the successful delivery of work and safety and security of employees
  • Co-chair the Security and Operations Leadership Group for Africa alongside the Global Director for Security and Operations
  • Support the roll out of a new global operations framework, bringing enhanced operational support to country and regional teams
  • Provide direct advice to the TBI Executive Chairman as well as CEO, Board and wider leadership team.

Person Specification

The Executive Director will be an experienced and successful leader:

  • With extensive multi-country leadership and programme management experience in a public or private sector-focused professional services advisory firm or other organisational leadership
  • Who is a skilled written and verbal communicator and influencer, with documented experience providing strategic counsel to corporate executives and/or senior government officials at ministerial level and above
  • Who is strategic, entrepreneurial, can challenge the status-quo and develop plans for successful delivery of challenging objectives
  • With exceptional attention to detail for written deliverables and the proven ability to deliver quality written outputs under tight deadlines
  • With a track record of success in generating new business and developing an organization;
  • With demonstrable expertise and interest in economics, public policy, or international relations
  • With outstanding leadership and management skills and the proven ability to build and inspire multi-country teams to achieve exceptional objectives
  • Who is passionate about Africa and has worked or consulted in developing and emerging economies and is sensitive to a diverse range of cultural and regional norms, and fosters a positive spirit of collaboration

Experience in technology enterprises or programmes is advantageous, as is the ability to speak French fluently.  TBI will support relocation for the right applicant.

 

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

  • Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
  • Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
  • Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

  • Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
  • Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
  • Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.