Director of Programmes at Mawazo Institute

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Lead with care and courage as you shape and drive Mawazo Institute’s programme, research, and policy vision. Champion bold, innovative approaches that nurture African women researchers’ leadership and influence across the continent. With intentionality and heart, guide the evolution of our work – scaling impact through digital learning, policy engagement, and advocacy that reflect the realities of Africa’s future. Embed strategic integration of SMERL and policy initiatives to maximise our contribution to systems change.
• Programme Excellence & Impact
• Hold a steadfast commitment to quality, ensuring our initiatives are delivered with excellence and integrity. Provide strategic guidance and oversight while empowering Programme Leads to manage day-to-day delivery of the programmes. Use data and learning as tools to continuously refine and elevate our programmes, creating space for experimentation and innovation. Foster systems and processes that enable smooth, efficient delivery while nurturing a culture of growth, adaptability, and accountability.
• Fundraising, Donor Engagement & Resource Mobilisation
• Be the warm, trusted steward of Mawazo’s diverse funding relationships – philanthropic foundations, multilateral agencies, private donors, and individuals – building meaningful, long-term partnerships that bring our mission to life. Support resource mobilisation with strategic foresight and compassionate engagement, ensuring sustainable support for our transformative work. Collaborate closely with teams to develop compelling proposals and transparent reporting that reflect our impact and vision.
• Partnerships & Representation
• Cultivate authentic, co-creative relationships with academic institutions, governments, civil society, and funders who share our commitment to Africa’s women researchers. Represent Mawazo’s voice with clarity and conviction in high-level forums and public spaces, amplifying our thought leadership and inspiring collective action. Develop partnership frameworks that foster innovation, resource mobilisation, and strategic influence.
• People-Centred Team Leadership
• Foster a caring, inclusive culture where every team member is empowered to grow, take courageous leaps, and lead with autonomy. Provide compassionate mentorship and nurture psychological safety, encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and learning from setbacks. Lead with empathy, humility, clear communication, and unwavering support, cultivating a team driven by shared purpose and respect. Inspire collective ownership and create space for diverse voices to shape our strategy and success.

Qualifications.

Professional Experience and Expertise

• At least 10 years’ experience in senior programme management and research leadership roles, preferably within Africa, with a proven ability to lead complex initiatives that drive real change.
• A Master’s degree, or above, in the field of STEM, Development Studies, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or a related field. Relevant certifications in programme management, research methods, policy analysis, strategic partnerships, systems or futures thinking, organisational management, or leadership are advantageous.
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing research strategies that ensure evidence shapes policy and practice, creating lasting impact.
• Strong expertise in engaging and convening diverse stakeholders, translating research into impact (policy influence and innovation), assessing programme outcomes, and securing funding from a wide range of sources – including philanthropy, multilaterals, private sector, and individual donors.
• Excellent financial management skills with experience overseeing budgets, grants, and resource mobilisation to support sustainable organisational growth.