Community & Family Welfare Lead

Our Client is hiring a Community & Family Welfare Lead (C&FW) who will head the on-the-ground implementation of the Initiative’s community intervention programs. This role will oversee program execution in Côte d’Ivoire, coordinating with one or more community program implementation partners to ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable impact across priority landscapes. The C&FW Lead will be instrumental in translating the Foundation’s vision into action, driving programs that i) generate alternative income streams ii) improve child education, iii) improve child wellbeing and iv) enable women empowerment in these landscape. Working closely with the Foundation leadership, and external implementors responsible for field delivery, the C&FW Lead will ensure strong coordination, operational excellence, and effective stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications and experience requirements:

• 10+ years of leadership experience in field program implementation in West Africa, preferably with 5+ years in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Proven track record in designing & managing community and alternative income initiatives (e.g., income generating activities, school attendance, WASH).
• Demonstrated technical expertise in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) including experience scaling them or similar community-based savings models across multiple communities.
• Familiarity with small holder supply chains (e.g., cocoa, coffee, cotton), including experience working with communities, farmer organizations, cooperatives, and rural service delivery systems.
• Strong leadership and inter-personal skills, including the ability to inspire teams, build trust across diverse partners from different sectors and backgrounds, and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into execution across decentralized field teams and local institutions.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL) frameworks and practices.
• Fluent in French and English, spoken and written.
• Proven experience collaborating with governments, NGOs, development agencies, and private sector partners.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Strategy and Delivery

• Lead the strategy and development of community interventions for the Foundation including the design, scaling, and quality assurance of VSLAs
• Support translating strategic priorities into operational plans and scalable community programs.
• Ensure sound program budgeting, procurement processes, and financial oversight in coordination with the Foundation’s finance team.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure program continuity and impact.

2. Coordination with Implementation Partners

• Work closely with Foundation and other implementation partners, to ensure alignment between strategy, planning, and field implementation.
• Coordinate with the Community Implementation partner responsible for on-the-ground delivery of community interventions to ensure activities are executed effectively and according to agreed plans.
• Ensure implementation partners apply best-practice VSLA methodologies (e.g., standardized training, transparent financial management)
• Facilitate communication channels between the Foundation, and the Community Implementation partner.
• Support joint planning, progress reviews, and problem-solving sessions to address operational challenges and ensure program performance.
• Ensure that community interventions are integrated with broader program objectives where relevant.

3. Implementation Partner Management

• Manage the relationship with one or more community program implementation partners responsible for delivering field activities.
• Oversee partner work planning, contracting, budgeting, and performance management to ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Monitor partner performance against agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), budgets, and impact targets.
• Facilitate regular coordination and learning sessions with partners to share insights, resolve operational challenges, and promote adaptive program management.
• Ensure partner management processes uphold transparency, accountability, and adherence to the Foundation’s operational standards.

4. Stakeholder and Government Engagement

• Represent the Initiative in operational coordination with local authorities, community leaders, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.