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Director of Development and External Relations

The Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative (AGI), the UK-based charity with a mission to make government work for the world's poorest people, is seeking an exceptional senior-level individual to grow its income and influence and take its outreach to the next level. 
AGI provides practical support to African leaders and their governments to deliver the reforms their people want and expect. With a team of around 60 people across the UK, US and Africa, AGI has governance programmes in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya, supporting reforms in power sector development, smallholder commercialisation, natural resource governance and SME financing. AGI only works where it has had an invitation from the Head of Government and its approach is based on working shoulder-to-shoulder with public servants and political leaders in the heart of partner governments, empowering and enabling them to identify and respond to the needs of their own citizens. Other potential country programmes are in the pipeline and AGI expects to operate at the level of 8-12 programmes over the next 3-4 years. AGI is at the forefront of the 'doing development differently' movement, working to support a more effective approach to governance reform and institutional capability building. The Director of Development and External Relations will be critical to increasing AGI's reach and impact. 
This is an exciting and challenging leadership role within AGI’s small Senior Management Team and is the focal point of its external-facing work. The new Director of Development and External Relations will secure major gifts within the UK and US, engage with key influencers and the media, and help shape the strategy of the organisation. The Director needs the ability to lead and build teams across fundraising, marketing/communications and thought leadership, and ensure the strategies in each of these core areas are mutually reinforcing. 
AGI would welcome applications for this role from outstanding leaders and communicators who can demonstrate a track record in high value fundraising (ideally) in the UK and US markets, or otherwise broader business development or partnership building at the highest levels. Applicants should also have experience of building the public profile of an organisation and of contributing to media and thought leadership strategies. An understanding of development and its key players would be a significant advantage - a passion and optimism for Africa is essential.   The role is based in London but will involve frequent travel, including significant work in the US with our sister charity, AGI-US, and there is scope to transition the role there on a permanent basis over the next 1-2 years.  
        
For more information including how to apply please refer to the website of Saxton Bampfylde, our retained search company, by clicking on the 'Apply' button below, using reference JAMQB, email JAMQB@saxbam.com or telephone +44 (0) 20 7227 0890 (during office hours). Applications close at noon on Friday 30th October, 2015.