Director, Nutrition Financing

Director, Nutrition Financing

  • Client: Nutrition International (https://www.nutritionintl.org/our-work/)
  • Reports to/Position Title: Sr. Global Portfolio Director, Maternal Neonatal Health and Nutrition
  • Location: Based in Nairobi, Kenya or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and possibly other NI operational African countries. The position travels approximately 30% of the         time to other countries in Africa. Potential to consider candidates based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Contract: Three (3) year extendable contract

 

Overall Purpose/Broad Function:

Founded in 1992, Nutrition International is a global organization dedicated to delivering proven nutrition interventions to those who need them most. Working in partnership with countries, donors and implementers, our experts conduct cutting-edge nutrition research, support critical policy formulation, and integrate nutrition into broader development programs. In more than 60 countries, primarily in Asia and Africa, Nutrition International nourishes people to nourish life. For more than 30 years, Nutrition International has focused on delivering low-cost, high-impact nutrition interventions to people in need, driven by our mission to achieve a world where everyone, everywhere, is free from malnutrition and able to reach their full potential. Nutrition International’s work is guided by a dedicated and talented team of experts working globally, regionally and within countries to end malnutrition worldwide.

 

Role Purpose

The Director, Nutrition Financing will provide strategic leadership for a Maternal Nutrition Project in Africa, with responsibility for designing and implementing innovative and sustainable health financing solutions to scale up maternal nutrition programs including antenatal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) and calcium supplementation. The role will contribute to catalysing and mobilising sustainable financing by developing and executing a strategic, coordinated, and multi-level financing strategy across 4–8 countries, leading to increased financial resources available from domestic and international sources in the short-, medium-, and long-term.

 

This role will also lead the development and execution of a comprehensive Health Financing Strategy encompassing public finance, multilateral development bank (MDB) engagement, innovative and private sector financing, and catalytic financing instruments across 4–8 African countries.

 

The Director of Nutrition Financing will report to the Sr. Consortium and Project Director based in Kenya and will have direct technical oversight from the Sr. Portfolio Director for Health Economics and Nutrition Financing based in Ottawa.

 

Stakeholder Engagement

A key function of this leadership role will be to develop and steward strong relationships with governments, donors, multilateral development banks (MDBs), United Nations agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), regional bodies, and research alliances.

 

Team Leadership and Collaboration

The Director, Nutrition Financing will lead and mentor a team of 3–5 staff and consultants dedicated to advancing the project’s financing priorities across 4–8 African countries. They will also collaborate with Nutrition International staff based in the Headquarters (Ottawa, Canada), the Africa Regional Office (Nairobi, Kenya), country offices, consortium partners and other stakeholders engaged in maternal nutrition financing.

 

As an inclusive leader, the Director will demonstrate the ability to manage complex, multi-country financing strategies, motivate diverse teams, and foster a respectful, innovative, and results-oriented work environment. They will report to the Consortium Director, while working closely with the Sr. Global Portfolio Director for Health Economics and Nutrition Financing, the Sr. Global Portfolio Director for Maternal Newborn Health and Nutrition, and the Sr. Director, Partnerships and Growth to ensure strategic alignment and cross-functional collaboration.

 

Financial Oversight and Grant Management

  • Provide financial oversight for all financing-related project resources, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and NI standards.
  • Monitor resource allocation, expenditures, and financial performance to ensure cost-effectiveness and transparency.
  • Collaborate with Corporate Services and country offices to strengthen financial planning, budgeting, and reporting systems.
  • Ensure compliance with donor regulations and NI financial policies.
  • Evidence, Learning, and Knowledge Sharing
  • Generate, synthesize, and disseminate evidence on financing models and cost-effectiveness for maternal nutrition.
  • Support monitoring, learning, and adaptation of financing strategies to maximize sustainability and impact.
  • Document and share lessons learned, tools, and best practices on MMS financing nationally, regionally, and globally.
  • Contribute to global and regional dialogues on nutrition financing, positioning NI as a thought leader.
  • Ensure project deliverables, including donor reports, investment cases, and financing briefs, are of high quality and delivered on time.
  • External Representation, Positioning and Thought Leadership
  • Provide leadership and actively contribute to working groups across Africa and global fora to shape dialogue, foster collaboration, and position NI as a thought        leader in maternal nutrition financing.
  • Develop and execute project-level advocacy and communication strategies in collaboration with supporting units.
  • Ensure donor stewardship with our committed donors to sustain relationships, in coordination with portfolio leadership and the Sr. Director, Partnerships &             Growth.
  • Build and strengthen relationships with key project stakeholders and partners to ensure the project is harmonized with other donor-funded initiatives and                 facilitates government leadership and ownership.
  • Ensure timely responses to donors and other key stakeholder inquiries and concerns.
  • Strengthen NI’s visibility and credibility with donors, MDBs, and government partners.
  • Contribute to advocacy efforts to position maternal nutrition including MMS and calcium supplementation as priority investments for health and                                  development

 

Project Team Collaboration

  • Establish mechanisms for regular communication within the project team and across partners and with Nutrition International leadership to maximize                    opportunities for program integration and to elevate issues or risks
  • Foster a positive and constructive working environment within the team, across partners, across units and offices (Regional and HQ) in the organization that           support the project.
  • Contribute to building a collaborative team environment and promoting the values of Nutrition International.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • This position will directly manage a team of 3–5 staff and consultants focused on health financing, including technical experts in public finance, MDB                         engagement, and innovative financing.
  • The Director will provide strategic guidance, mentoring, and performance management to ensure high-quality deliverables and professional growth of team           members.

 

Education/Professional Designations/Experience:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent experience in economics, public finance, health economics, public health, international development, or a related field.
  • At least 12–15 years of experience in health, nutrition, or development financing, with a significant portion in senior leadership roles in Africa.
  • Proven track record of designing and implementing multi-country health financing strategies, including public finance, MDB engagement, and/or                               innovative financing mechanisms.
  • Strong experience in resource mobilization, investment case development, and donor engagement, particularly with institutional donors, MDBs, and/or                     private sector actors.
  • Demonstrated expertise in public financial management, including fiscal space analysis, costing, budget impact and cost-benefit analysis, budgeting,                           expenditure tracking, reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor and government requirements.
  • Positive experience in donor stewardship, with a track record of cultivating and maintaining high-level partnerships.
  • Extensive experience in leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural teams across multiple countries.
  • Demonstrated ability to represent organizations in high-level meetings, financing dialogues, conferences, and advisory groups, influencing policy and                         financing priorities.
  • Commitment to Gender Equality, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding in health financing strategies and organizational leadership.
  • Strong ability to identify, assess, and mitigate financial and programmatic risks, while managing complex, time-sensitive issues.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-cultural, global team in a dynamic and growing organization.

 

Skills, Competencies and Personal Attributes

Skills

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
  • Superior communications skills (oral and written) including good technical writing and presentation skills.
  • Superior communications skills (verbal and written).
  • Fluency in English - both reading and writing – is essential.
  • A working knowledge of French is an asset.

Competencies

  • Strategic Thinking: Strong ability to develop and execute long-term strategies that drive organizational success in diverse regions.
  • Leadership: Inspirational leader with a proven ability to manage and motivate portfolio, cross-unit and global teams.
  • Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with internal teams, external                                     stakeholders, and donors.
  • Relationship Building: Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with key external stakeholders, including governments, donors, and implementing             partners.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to navigate diverse cultural environments and tailor solutions to country and regional contexts.
  • Project Management: Strong project management skills, with experience in the direct management of complex, multi-country programs.
  • Analytical: Ability to analyze and interpret data for decision-making, program improvement, and donor reporting.

Personal Attributes

  • Visionary: Strong forward-thinking mindset with the ability to adapt to changing global health and nutrition trends.
  • Results-Oriented: Focused on achieving measurable outcomes and maximizing impact through efficient program delivery.
  • Integrity: High ethical standards with a commitment to transparency, accountability, and social impact

 

Travel Requirements:

  • Regular short-term travel (1-2 weeks) to programming across Africa.
  • Additional international travel may be required to Canada and Europe.
  • Based in Nairobi, Kenya or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia the position travels approximately 30% of the time to other countries in Africa. Potential to consider                           candidates based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • The role holder will be expected to adapt a flexible approach to working hours in order to accommodate calls with colleagues across the African continent,                   Ottawa and/or other locations. 

 

TO APPLY

Nutrition International has hired Global Recruitment Specialists to assist with sourcing applicants for this position. Candidates are welcome to contact GRS with inquiries or to apply directly with a cover letter and CV/resume to:

 

Jill Solomon, Senior Recruiter

Global Recruitment Specialists "Positioning You for Success"

Norwalk, CT 06851 USA

Telephone: +1- 203-899-0499

JSolomon@globalrecruitment.net

 

Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.  The client complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.