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Regional Director, East Africa

 

Role: Regional Director, East Africa

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Hybrid)

Type: Full Time

 

About Creative Action Institute
Creative Action Institute catalyzes community-driven solutions that advance gender
equality and build a sustainable planet by developing transformational leaders, building
powerful regional networks, and supporting grassroots advocacy globally.
 

Creative Action Institute’s unique methodology is rooted in popular education, learner-
centered, feminism, intersectional, and creative approaches and is infused with
experiential, participatory and creative activities. We have equipped hundreds of teachers,
community leaders, and youth to advance leadership development, gender equality,
education, health, climate justice and bio-cultural diversity.

 

Creative Action Institute operates its own annual programs and is also a consultant to
other like-minded organizations, providing services in curriculum development, toolkit
development, and a variety of capacity building.
 

Responsibilities 

Creative Action Institute seeks a full time Regional Director to lead the strategy, growth, and development of our work in East Africa, with the goal of the programming becoming independent. The Regional Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight for operations across the East Africa region. This role involves developing and implementing regional strategies to drive growth of our work to advance girls’ education and climate justice, resource development to support the programming, manage the regional team, be a key liaison to the Kenyan board, and enhance the organization’s presence and impact within the region. The ideal candidate will possess deep regional expertise, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record of success in similar roles.

 

The role will include, but not be limited to, the following areas of focus (percentages are approximate and will likely fluctuate): 

 

1.  Strategic Leadership (10%)

  • Develop and execute the regional strategy aligned with the organization’s overall goals, opportunities for growth, as well as needs articulated by partners

  • Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing, collaborative regional team

  • Manage the Kenyan Board, serving as a key staff liaison and supporting its growth

  • Provide regular updates, reports, and recommendations to be discussed with the global team and board 

  • Finalize registration of Creative Action Institute in Kenya 

  • Analyze impact of current model and guide the next steps for the Creative Action Institute in East Africa

 

2. Operational Management (10%)

  • Develop and manage regional budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility

    • Develop and manage budgets for regional activities

    • Track all incoming and outgoing funds

    • Ensure proper reporting from partners and East African staff

    • Prepare expense reports and upload receipts and activities monthly

  • Oversee day-to-day operations and work closely with the Program Officer (Finance & Operations) to develop structures, processes, procedures, etc. to support consistent, efficient operations.

  • Ensure compliance with local regulations and organizational policies

 

3. Resource Mobilization, Partnerships, and Visibility (70%)

  • Identify and secure new funding partners (foundations, corporations, sponsorships) to support and grow the work in East Africa, in collaboration with the Program Officer (Finance & Operations) and global resource mobilization team members

  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and clients.

  • Promote and represent the organization at events, forums, and conferences regionally and internationally, as needed, that present opportunity for professional learning or networking

  • Working with the global team, identify new special project or contract opportunities, conduct meetings and play a key role in securing contracts for new business

  • Keep up to date with what is happening in the funding ecosystem

 

4. Facilitation, Coaching, and Technical Support (10%)

  • Facilitate online and in-person trainings as needed and in collaboration with other team members - this may be for our annual programs or special projects/consulting work

  • Provide technical guidance and support to program officers and partners as needed

  • Provide input on toolkits, curriculum, etc. as needed

 

Education, Requirements, and Competencies 

 

Education and Requirements

  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in a nonprofit senior management role

  • Dedicated to and experienced with working in gender equality (required), girls education (required), and climate justice (preferred)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Relations, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred

  • English fluency required, fluency in additional languages, especially Kiswahili and French preferred

  • Ability to travel extensively within the region and occasionally globally.

 

Strategic Leadership and Operational Management Competencies

  • Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

  • Demonstrated capacity to develop and manage budgets

  • Proven track record of successfully managing, leading, and growing teams.

 

Resource Mobilization, Partnerships, and Visibility-raising Competencies

  • Exceptional writer and communicator, with the ability to build relationships and influence at all levels.

  • Proven capacity to mobilize resources, develop partnerships, and secure contracts

  • Passionate networker and connector with a deep network of funders and organizations working in gender equality and climate change

  • Comfortable with public speaking and 1:1 meetings

 

Facilitation, Coaching, and Technical Support

  • Skilled facilitator with at least 3 years of capacity building experience

  • Experience in participatory education and training, preferably using creative methodologies

 

General Competencies

  • Effective and professional communicator across time zones and cultures and in various contexts from internal to high level engagements: verbal, written, and team collaboration

  • Highly collaborative and creative, with experience collaborating with multiple stakeholders and complex processes

  • Highly skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and G Suite

 

Salary and Benefits

Creative Action institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience. 

 

How to Apply

We invite those with appropriate qualifications to send a cover letter and resume to info@creativeactioninstitute.org

 

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by the team using the email address provided in their resume.

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