Director, Nutrition

As a senior subject‑matter expert and leader in CIFF’s global Nutrition team, the Director, Nutrition will shape and deliver cutting‑edge strategies to drive transformational and lasting improvements in nutrition outcomes, including in complex and humanitarian settings. They will lead a team of talented colleagues to develop and implement high‑quality, timely proposals and programmes aligned with the Foundation strategy and nutrition sector priorities. In addition, they will contribute to advancing technology and digital solutions to enhance programme delivery, expand reach, and improve real‑time decision‑making.  

As a member of the Nutrition Senior Management Team (SMT) 

• The role will be responsible for strategy, portfolio development and programme management of a set of investments, ensuring they are aligned to the Foundation Strategy. 

• Provide up-to-date, professional advice to the Executive Director Nutrition and Chief Impact Officer, the Executive Team and CIFF Board on related issues, to support the development of Foundation strategies, policies and initiatives. 

• Take the lead on corporate, cross-cutting initiatives and projects, as required by the Executive Team. 

• Provide compelling, consistent and united leadership which creates clarity for the team reporting to the Director and builds a sense of shared accountability for its success and that of the organisation. 

• Develop and maintain excellent external relationships within the sector specialism, acting at all times as a corporate ambassador for CIFF, to help build the organisation’s reputation and profile as a professional, visionary and collaborative philanthropy. 

• Deputise for the Executive Director, as required. 

Strategy & planning 

• As a specialist in the Nutrition sector, contribute to the development and review of the Medium-Term Sector Plan & Priorities, to ensure CIFF is making maximum impact in those areas with the resources available. 

• Co-lead the development and implementation of the team’s annual Executable Plan, to ensure effective prioritization of resources and activities. 

Programme development, delivery & performance 

• Oversee both the development of successful investment proposals and the implementation of high impact programmes by a team of a Manager/Analyst, ensuring the quality, timeliness and strategic alignment of their work to Foundation priorities and objectives.  

• Allocate and monitor achievement of individual targets for pipeline, new investments and grant draw-down for all relevant team members, to ensure the team meets its objectives for programme development and delivery. 

• Conduct regular reviews of investment proposals under development and programmes in delivery, to monitor compliance with agreed due diligence and risk management protocols, ensuring the interests and reputation of the Foundation are appropriately and proportionately protected.  Intervene to take corrective action where necessary. 

• Ensure investment proposals and programmes are underpinned by appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes and procedures, in accordance with the relevant frameworks. This enables the development of rigorous evidence and analysis that supports CIFF’s advocacy, scaling-up and mainstreaming agendas. 

• Provide casework advice, specialist guidance and mentoring support to colleagues (within and beyond the team) to deepen the skills, capability and professionalism of the organisation. 

• Ensure that appropriate procedures and frameworks are in place to support the effective leveraging and scaling-up of successful programmes and initiatives. 

• As required, work with SMT to review processes and procedures in place to maximize operational effectiveness and efficiency. 

• Lead the collection and analysis of team performance data and management information, in accordance with CIFF corporate frameworks and requirements, to enable timely and effective decision-making and planning. 

• Lead and manage an end-to-end caseload of a set of live programmes and an active pipeline of potential investments of, in accordance with the sector priorities and plan. 

Sector knowledge and profile-building 

• Proactively maintain extensive external networks with experts and opinion-formers within the area of personal subject-matter (and/or geographical) specialism, to ensure the Sector team’s work is shaped by the most up-to-date insights and research. 

• Undertake or commission sector-relevant research and analysis to inform the effective development, delivery and evaluation of programmes and initiatives. 

• Contribute to the development and promotion of high-quality thought leadership, PR and marketing materials to raise awareness about CIFF’s work within the sector, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s communications and advocacy strategies. 

Stakeholder and partner management 

• In accordance with agreed account management principles and plans, identify, cultivate and proactively manage relationships with nominated key partners/stakeholders, to support the achievement of Foundation and sector team objectives in a coordinated manner. 

• Advise and support more junior colleagues in identifying, negotiating with and managing appropriate programme partners (as required), to enable CIFF to maximise its philanthropic impact through effective collaboration. 

Leadership of the team 

• Offer inspiring and motivational leadership that role models CIFF’s values and leadership behaviours, and empowers and enables staff to deliver excellence.  

• Adopt a coaching approach with colleagues which instils a culture of openness and trust, embraces diverse thinking, and encourages continuous improvement and learning. 

• Provide ongoing support to all direct reports (in manager and/or analyst roles), ensuring high performance is enabled through objective setting, clear accountabilities and regular review. 

Requirements

• Recognised as a top subject-matter expert in one or more of Nutrition Sector’s strategic focus areas with a proven track record of delivering results across one or more CIFF’s priority geographies, including in complex and humanitarian settings 

• Proven track record in designing and executing end to end solutions (supply chain, delivery, financing and policy) in complex and humanitarian settings 

• Experience designing and implementing programmes related to application of AI and digital technologies to enhance impact in the areas of public health and nutrition. Sound understanding of digital health information systems in LMICs.  

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the international development sector and its corresponding funding flows (overseas development aid, multilateral development banks, government finance, philanthropic funding, public-private partnerships) 

• Exceptional negotiation, communication, partnership and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders across public and private sectors   

• Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning 

• Excellent people leadership skills and proven ability to motivate, develop and hold to account a small- to medium-sized teams of professionals 

• Effectively champions and promotes causes – credible and professional, they always present the foundation’s programmes in a compelling way to engage the audience 

• Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness 

• Able to think critically and analytically to draw sound conclusions on the basis of complex data 

• Experience of identifying and delivering business process improvements 

• High-level of financial literacy 

Benefits

CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees work in the office and some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following.

• Annual leave - 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service to a maximum of 30 days.
• Bonus - CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme.
• Training allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance

Please submit your application on or before 15 March 2026 CIFF reserves the right to close the job advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.