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We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary leader to drive the next phase of growth and impact for the Victoria Basin Facility for Propulsion for Clean Development (VBF4CD). As we scale our portfolio of initiatives across the Victoria Basin, we are looking for a leader who can build on our momentum, deepen our partnerships, and ensure that our work delivers lasting, equitable, and climate-responsive prosperity for the communities we serve.

About the role

The successful candidate will lead a dynamic, multi-country organization at a pivotal moment. Reporting to the Board of Directors, you will be responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial leadership of VBF4CD, ensuring that our programs deliver measurable impact while mobilizing the resources and partnerships needed to achieve our ambitious vision.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of VBF4CD's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with our vision of a climate-resilient and low-emission Victoria Basin.
• Provide inspirational leadership to a diverse, multi-disciplinary team across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
• Drive the mobilization of climate and development finance from a wide range of sources, including multilateral institutions, bilateral donors, foundations, and the private sector.
• Serve as the primary external representative of VBF4CD, building and nurturing strategic relationships with governments, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and community leaders.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of our key initiatives, including Clean Cities and Circularity, Water–Energy–Food Nexus, E-Mobility for Inclusive Market Access, Climate Finance Readiness for Local Governments, and the Nature-Based Solutions Accelerator.
• Ensure robust financial management, governance, and operational systems that support effective and accountable program delivery.
• Foster a culture of innovation, learning, and adaptive management, ensuring that VBF4CD remains at the forefront of climate and development practice.

Requirements

• Proven senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-country, or regional organization, ideally within the climate, environment, or international development sector.
• A strong track record of mobilizing significant financial resources from diverse institutional donors and investors.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with governments, private sector, and civil society.
• Deep understanding of the climate and development challenges and opportunities in the East Africa region, with specific knowledge of the Victoria Basin context being a strong advantage.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proven experience in leading and developing high-performing, multicultural teams.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, international development, public policy, business administration, or a related discipline.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.
• Experience working in or with organizations in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, or South Sudan is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of French or Swahili is a plus.