Regional Director, Africa (Sub-Saharan)

International Youth Foundation; United States; Remote; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Youth Foundation is expanding its work in Africa and this Regional Director role leads strategy, growth, and leadership for the regional portfolio. You will be the senior programmatic representative and executive sponsor, owning funder relationships and regional outcomes.

You will collaborate with country teams to deliver multi-sector programs, ensure governance, risk management and learning, and represent IYF at high‑level negotiations, events, and forums to advance regional

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years design and management of youth development or related sectors.
• Significant experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and senior leadership capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage funder relationships, proposals, and complex partnerships.
• Strong strategic thinking, program governance, and adherence to donor expectations.
• Experience with program performance frameworks and regional program oversight.
• Excellent communication and representation skills for external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and own Africa growth strategy, operating model, country presence, and portfolio mix.
• Lead senior-level funder engagement from sourcing to closed partnerships and manage the pipeline.
• Serve as the senior programmatic face in the region and executive sponsor for the portfolio.
• Ensure program quality, compliance, risk management, and learning across contexts.
• Collaborate with country teams to deliver multi-sector programs aligned with the PPAF.
• Represent IYF at high-level negotiations, events, and forums and drive regional thought leadership.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Funder engagement

Leadership

Regional experience Africa

Communication

Partnership management

Job description

About the role

The International Youth Foundation is expanding its work in Africa and this role leads strategy, growth, and leadership for the regional portfolio. The Regional Director acts as the senior programmatic representative and executive sponsor, owning funder relationships and regional outcomes.

What you'll do

• Define and own Africa growth strategy, operating model, country presence, and portfolio mix
• Lead senior-level funder engagement from sourcing to closed partnerships and manage the pipeline
• Serve as the senior programmatic face in the region and executive sponsor for the portfolio
• Ensure program quality, compliance, risk management, and learning across contexts
• Collaborate with country teams to deliver multi-sector programs aligned with the PPAF
• Represent IYF at high-level negotiations, events, and forums and drive regional thought leadership

What they're looking for

• Minimum of 12 years in design and management of youth development, employment, education, or related sectors
• Significant experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and senior leadership capabilities
• Proven ability to manage funder relationships, proposals, and complex partnerships
• Strong strategic thinking, program governance, and adherence to donor expectations
• Experience with program performance frameworks and regional program oversight
• Excellent communication and representation skills for external stakeholders

For applicants in Nigeria

• The listing states Remote Worker for Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana or South Africa, but does not specify time zone requirements. Confirm during interview.
• Hires appear to be remote across Africa; explicit payroll or contract type is not stated. Confirm during interview.
• The listing does not state pay currency or range. Confirm during interview.