Header

Executive Director: Evidence, Measurement & Evaluation (London)

10:10:00 PM
The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent, philanthropic organisation headquartered in London with offices in Nairobi and New Delhi. We work with a wide range of partners seeking to transform the lives of poor and vulnerable children and adolescents in developing countries. This involves supporting bold ideas to solve seemingly intractable challenges.
We know that the returns on smart investments in areas such as children’s early development and adolescent girls are especially high. So we aim to play a catalytic role as a funder and influencer to deliver urgent and lasting change at scale. Areas of work include improving children and adolescents’ health, nutrition, education, deworming and welfare, and smart ways to slow down and stop climate change.
We place significant emphasis on quality data and evidence. For most of our grants, we work with partners to measure and evaluate progress to achieve large scale and sustainable impact. We are committed to sharing as much information as possible about what we and our partners are learning.  Contributing to the global knowledge bank will help speed up the transformational change required so that every child survives and thrives, today and in the future.
CIFF is the world’s largest philanthropic organisation that focuses specifically on improving children’s lives and is supported by an endowment of $4.6 billion. Founded in 2004, CIFF employs approximately 80 professionals in London, Nairobi and New Delhi.  CIFF strives to couple business acumen and principles with development experience and best practices to transform the landscape for children. It seeks to be the gold standard in grant making and foundation operations
The Foundation currently focuses on three priority areas:
  • Survive and Thrive (including Nutrition, Health, Deworming and Education)
  • Climate
  • Child Protection
Background
CIFF takes a rigorous investment approach, and data and evidence is at the core of all of CIFF’s programmes.  By investing in data and quality, CIFF strives to better understand what does and what does not work, and seeks to support and prioritise programmes which deliver the greatest impact for children. 
CIFF’s approach to evidence is evolving to match the organisation’s entrepreneurial spirit. The team is committed to using and generating evidence, but are also seeking to increase its emphasis on monitoring and operational research to generate actionable information faster.
The Board of Trustees is therefore seeking to appoint an Executive Director, Evidence, Measurement and Evaluation, in what is unquestionably a critical role within CIFF. 
The Role
The Executive Director, EME will engage directly with the Board, the CEO, the Executive Leadership team (and wider organisation), co-funders and grantees.
The Appointee will:
  • Shape a vision for EME which is closely aligned to CIFF’s purpose.
  • Be an effective leader of an aligned, engaged EME Function.
  • Be a valued partner to the Executive Directors and Program Leaders across the CIFF platform.
  • Act as an engaged leader within CIFF, valued for their contribution to organization and leadership development
  • Become a Trusted Advisor, valued for independent judgment by the Board.
  • Be responsible for establishing CIFF’s role as an influential leader in the field of measurement and evaluation, not limited to the philanthropic sector.
Essential skills and experience
  • Educated to post-graduate degree level, or equivalent by experience, within the field of social impact, development and/or environmental economics.
  • Recognised as a subject matter expert in an area relevant to evidence, measurement and evaluation, preferably with an extensive track record of working in one of CIFF’s priority geographies.
  • Detailed knowledge and understanding of the international development sector.
  • Detailed understanding of using cost-benefit and ROI methodologies and metrics to inform strategy and business planning, preferably within an investment-led, international development or charitable setting.
  • Excellent people leadership skills and proven ability to motivate, develop and hold to account a team of expert professionals.
  • Ability to think critically and analytically to draw sound conclusions on the basis of complex data.  Equally, able to navigate ambiguity recognising that CIFF may seek to make investments and interventions in new ways or areas where the data/evidence may not be available.
  • Experience of identifying and delivering business process improvements.
  • High-level of financial literacy.
  • Outstanding communication and influencing skills, able to engage the Board and key decision makers in a compelling and straight forward way.
  • Impactful and collegiate member of the leadership team, able to act as a mentor and role model within the organisation.
  • Thrive within a fast paced, creative and entrepreneurial environment.
For further information, please see CIFF’s website: www.ciff.org
If you are interested in applying, please email a current copy of your Curriculum Vitae and a Covering Letter detailing your current compensation to CIFF@heidrick.com   
If you have any further questions, please contact Helena Muir, +44 207 075 4032, hmuir@heidrick.com

Post a Comment