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A new leadership opportunity has emerged for development professionals passionate about systems change, regional collaboration, and locally led impact in Africa.
Christian Aid is inviting applications for the position of Head of Impact West and Central Africa (WACA).
This pivotal new role will steer the organization’s work across multiple countries from a central hub in Abuja, Nigeria.
This permanent role is part of a strategic shift in Christian Aid’s global structure, one designed to deepen impact, empower local partnerships, and increase responsiveness in a rapidly changing humanitarian and development landscape.
Leading a New Era of Regional Collaboration
The successful candidate will lead the WACA Multi-Country Cluster (MCC), which includes Christian Aid’s humanitarian, development, and influencing programs across the West and Central Africa region.
This leadership role is critical to realising the potential of Christian Aid’s new MCC model, which replaces the former country office structure and seeks to unify operations around thematic areas and cross-border synergies.
The Head of Impact will be responsible for driving an integrated regional impact strategy that encompasses poverty alleviation, peacebuilding, gender justice, governance, rights, and climate resilience.
The role also involves resourcing and delivering against a robust plan, ensuring financial stewardship and program coherence across countries.
Key responsibilities include:
- Designing and executing a unified change strategy that addresses both the symptoms and root causes of poverty.
- Coordinating development, humanitarian, and advocacy work to amplify the agency and leadership of local partners.
- Allocating resources and securing funding aligned with Christian Aid’s strategic goals.
- Representing Christian Aid in regional platforms and policy spaces, advocating on issues such as economic justice, climate justice, and conflict response.
The role will also see the Head of Impact participate in an extended directorate team, meeting regularly with the CEO and directors to jointly steer Christian Aid’s global impact agenda.
Profile of the Ideal Candidate
This is a senior-level opportunity suited for a professional with a deep understanding of the development and humanitarian landscape in West and Central Africa.
Candidates should bring significant experience working in diverse and complex operating environments, including conflict and post-crisis contexts.
Prospective applicants should demonstrate:
- Extensive leadership experience managing multi-country or regional programs, including across conflict-sensitive areas.
- Strong track record of forging strategic relationships with donors, partners, and civil society.
- Experience leading through organisational change and strengthening systems of accountability and performance.
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and build a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.
- Commitment to locally led development and a grounded understanding of power dynamics in partnerships.
- Fluency in English is essential, while proficiency in French is strongly preferred given the multilingual nature of the region.
The role involves significant travel — up to 50 days per year within the region and globally.
A Time of Organisational Transformation
This appointment comes as Christian Aid restructures its operations globally to become more agile and accountable to the communities it serves.
The transition to five Multi-Country Clusters (MCCs) across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East is part of a wider effort to dismantle siloed operations, build regional coherence, and shift greater leadership to local actors.
In West and Central Africa, this approach enables Christian Aid to tackle cross-border challenges such as climate migration, regional peacebuilding, and governance issues through a more unified and responsive strategy.
Candidates must have the right to live and work in Nigeria. The position is accompanied by a competitive national salary and benefits package.
How to Apply
Applications for the Head of Impact – WACA role are open until 27th August 2025.
Interested candidates are encouraged to review the full Job and Person Specification, available via the Christian Aid careers website.https://www.redseasearch.com/job/head-of-impact-west-and-central-africa/
About Christian Aid
Christian Aid is an international development and humanitarian organization with a mission to end poverty, uphold dignity, and challenge injustice.
Founded 80 years ago, Christian Aid works in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, supporting integrated development programs, emergency response, and long-term advocacy.
Operating in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Europe, Christian Aid partners with communities and civil society to tackle structural causes of poverty.
Its work focuses on four core thematic areas: peacebuilding, gender justice, governance, rights, and climate adaptation and resilience.
The organization is rooted in Christian values but works with people of all faiths and none, affirming the dignity and agency of every person.
