Vice President, Africa Strategy & Execution

Role Overview

As a senior leader in IJM’s Africa Region, you will partner closely with the Interim Regional President to turn regional strategy into coordinated, accountable action across country programs and shared functions. You will strengthen leadership capacity, assess the health and direction of the portfolio, and help teams make sound decisions that advance protection outcomes while meeting IJM’s standards for stewardship, safeguarding, and professional conduct.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise and support the Interim Regional President on regional priorities, leadership decisions, organizational needs, and progress toward strategic goals; represent the President or Region in meetings when delegated.
• Lead and develop assigned Country Directors, regional leaders, and other direct reports through coaching, performance management, clear expectations, and succession planning.
• Review program performance, protection outcomes, strategic fit, organizational capacity, and risk across the Africa portfolio; present practical, evidence-informed recommendations to regional and global leaders.
• Help country and regional teams convert strategy into measurable plans by clarifying ownership, milestones, decision authority, and accountability for delivery.
• Lead designated regional and enterprise initiatives from planning through implementation, coordinating stakeholders, timelines, governance, risks, and follow-up.
• Work with IJM’s Global Center and regional functions to strengthen program approaches, operational practices, and alignment between regional needs and global standards.
• Support budget planning, forecasting, resource allocation, and delegated financial oversight; work with Finance and Country Directors to review results and address variances.
• Monitor compliance with organizational policies, safeguarding requirements, security protocols, financial controls, and program governance; raise significant risks through appropriate channels.
• Build productive relationships with government and justice-sector leaders, civil society, faith communities, donors, and other partners, and support country teams in developing coalitions that advance protection outcomes.
• Use program, financial, operational, and people information to prepare executive updates and recommendations, share lessons across the organization, and improve regional decision-making.

Requirements & Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in international development, justice-system strengthening, human rights, government, public policy, nonprofit work, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience leading and developing teams, including in direct and matrixed structures; senior responsibility for country, regional, or multi-country teams is especially relevant.
• A graduate degree in international development, law, public policy, business administration, organizational leadership, or a related discipline is preferred. A bachelor’s degree combined with substantial relevant leadership experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to shape and deliver strategy, improve organizational effectiveness, and lead programs or operations in complex, culturally diverse settings.
• Experience guiding teams through change, aligning stakeholders with competing priorities, and sustaining execution after strategic decisions are made.
• Experience in Africa is strongly preferred, with familiarity with East Africa particularly valuable.
• Experience engaging senior government officials, justice-sector partners, donors, faith leaders, civil-society organizations, or other agents of change is preferred.
• Practical experience in budget development, forecasting, financial stewardship, resource allocation, and internal controls is required.
• Strong strategic and analytical judgment, including the ability to interpret program, financial, operational, and people information and turn it into clear recommendations.
• Knowledge of international development, human rights, justice-system strengthening, violence prevention, public-sector reform, or a closely related field.
• Strong portfolio and project management skills, covering planning, governance, monitoring, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent executive writing, speaking, and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare concise analyses, briefings, and decision materials.
• Ability to work effectively across functions and locations, establish clear accountabilities, and build alignment in a matrixed organization.
• Professional fluency in English is required; Swahili or another relevant African regional language is preferred.
• A mature, orthodox Christian faith and a demonstrated commitment to spiritual formation, prayerful leadership, personal integrity, and IJM’s Christian, Professional, and Bridge-Building values.
• Servant leadership marked by humility, courage, emotional intelligence, resilience, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to service.
• Strong cross-cultural relationship skills, adaptability in uncertain conditions, and the ability to build trust, address conflict constructively, create psychological safety, and uphold accountability.