Director, Regenerative Agriculture, Africa at Rockefeller Foundation

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Design and direct the Regenerative School Meals strategy across East Africa, with influence across additional geographies such as Indonesia and the Philippines.
• Oversee the translation of complex systems-change opportunities into actionable strategies and projects, sourcing and shaping grants and partnerships that drive impact.
• Lead cross-team integration with internal stakeholders and ensure strategic alignment with the Foundation’s food and climate portfolios.
• Develop and adapt, and lead a strategic plan to deliver long-term goals, including catalyzing market shifts, policy reform, and measurable environmental and social outcomes.

Portfolio and Grantmaking Oversight

• Lead the scouting, management, and growth of a portfolio of grants and investments, ensuring alignment with initiative goals and rigorous monitoring, learning, and evaluation.
• Source new areas for investment and innovation, including financial mechanisms, policy, and advocacy approaches, including subsidy repurposing, and capturing and reporting on regenerative metrics.
• Supervise consultants and summer associates, providing mentorship and oversight to ensure high-quality execution and learning, while fluidly flexing from oversight to direct implementation tasks required for delivery on this small, agile team.

External Engagement and Thought Leadership

• Represent the Foundation at global and regional convenings (e.g., Africa Food Systems Summit, UNGA, COP, Bellagio), delivering strategic communications and thought leadership on regenerative agriculture and school meals.
• Author and disseminate strategic content (e.g., blog posts, reports, op-eds) to elevate the initiative’s visibility and influence.
• Curate and engage a network of experts, funders, and practitioners to inform strategy and accelerate impact.

Partnership Development

• Cultivate and manage a wide array of partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, private investors, and philanthropic funders, supporting with strategy alignment, concept development, and advocacy.
• Lead efforts to mobilize co-investment and build coalitions around regenerative agriculture and school meals in lighthouse geographies.
• Design and lead convenings, learning journeys, and strategic engagements that build shared vision and advocacy across stakeholders.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Generally expected to have at least 10 years of experience in regenerative agriculture, agroecology, food systems, agricultural economics, or related fields. 
• Proven leadership experience in Africa, with deep familiarity with regional food systems and stakeholder networks in regenerative agriculture in East Africa.
• Advanced degree (Master’s required; PhD preferred) in Soil Science, Agronomy, Agroecology, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Economics, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated success in leading multi-stakeholder initiatives, managing complex portfolios, and influencing policy and investment landscapes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking and strategic communications.
• Experience in environmental and conservation-based investing, blended finance, and private investment strategies.
• Proven ability to engage directly with farmers, landscape stewards, and investors to build trust and shared vision.
• Incredibly detail-oriented, organized, and capable of juggling competing tasks, shifting priorities, and demanding deadlines.