African Food Fellowship Hiring Executive Director – Apply Now

African Food Fellowship is Seeking an Executive Director – Apply Before 19 October 2025

 The African Food Fellowship is inviting applications for the position of Executive Director, to be based in Nairobi, Kenya or Kigali, Rwanda. This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to shape a transformative pan-African movement dedicated to building healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food systems across the continent.

About the African Food Fellowship

The African Food Fellowship (AFF) is a pioneering initiative co-founded by Wageningen University & Research and Wasafiri Consulting, with support from the IKEA Foundation and Small Foundation. Established in Kenya and Rwanda, it has grown into a vibrant community of over 250 Fellows—entrepreneurs, policymakers, scientists, civil society leaders, and investors—who share a commitment to advancing systemic change in food systems.

Since its inception in 2020, the Fellowship has become a platform for collaboration, innovation, and leadership development. Fellows are equipped with the skills, networks, and vision to address food system challenges at both country and continental levels. Through its core pillars—Connect, Learn, Act, and Inform—the Fellowship strengthens leadership capacity, supports practical innovations, and generates knowledge to drive systemic transformation.

The Role of the Executive Director

The Executive Director will serve as the senior leader of the AFF Secretariat, which is the operational backbone of the Fellowship. This individual will be responsible for expanding the Fellowship’s influence, strengthening partnerships, securing sustainable funding, and guiding its evolution into an independent, African-led institution.

The role requires a visionary leader who can balance short-term delivery with long-term strategic ambition. Over the next two years, success will be defined by four key priorities:

1. Drive expansion and influence across Africa – Leading the strategic growth of the Fellowship into new countries and regions, forging high-impact partnerships, and amplifying its credibility on global stages.
2. Lead a brilliant team and nurture a vibrant culture – Providing service-driven leadership that unites a diverse Secretariat team, fosters inclusion, and prepares the organisation for transition into an independent African entity.
3. Secure strategic partnerships and sustainable funding – Deepening relationships with existing funders, diversifying revenue streams, and ensuring financial stability to enable ambitious program growth.
4. Shape a bold vision for future evolution – Co-creating a five-year strategy with Fellows and stakeholders to establish AFF as a resilient, independent, and innovative pan-African institution.

Key Responsibilities

• Represent the Fellowship in high-level fora, summits, and media engagements, advocating for African-led solutions.
• Oversee the strategic expansion of country Fellowships, ensuring relevance, impact, and local ownership.
• Guide and inspire a geographically dispersed team, creating a supportive and inclusive organisational culture.
• Lead fundraising efforts and resource mobilisation strategies across philanthropic, governmental, and multilateral partners.
• Oversee financial stewardship, including budgeting and allocation aligned with program growth.
• Collaborate with the Board and stakeholders to refine, communicate, and deliver on a bold long-term vision.

Candidate Profile

The African Food Fellowship seeks a leader with the vision, influence, and strategic acumen to steward a collective movement. The successful candidate will embody service-oriented leadership, champion inclusion, and have a proven ability to mobilise diverse stakeholders.

Skills and qualifications include:

• At least 10 years of senior leadership experience in Africa within food systems, agriculture, or related sectors.
• A track record of leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with regional or continental reach.
• Proven expertise in fundraising, partnership-building, and financial management, particularly with philanthropic institutions.
• Experience in developing and leading cross-functional teams across cultures and geographies.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels and represent African perspectives internationally.
• An advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., agriculture, development studies, public policy, business administration) or equivalent professional experience.
• Fluency in English; additional proficiency in French, Portuguese, or African languages is an advantage.
• A deep understanding of systems-based approaches to complex change and leadership development.

Contract and Compensation

• Term: 17 months, beginning February 2026, with potential transition to full-time employment subject to funding.
• Rate: €550–600 per billable day (up to ~225 days across the term, excluding public holidays and agreed leave).
• Contracting Entity: Wageningen University & Research.
• Location: Preference for candidates based in Kenya or Rwanda. Applicants must hold the legal right to work in their country of residence. Flexible hybrid arrangements will apply, with travel across Africa and internationally (approximately 30% of time).

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a CV and motivation letter to Delphine Barringer-Mills at apply@dbmco.be with the subject line: YourName.AFF.ED. The deadline for applications is 19 October 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo an introductory call, followed by interviews with the recruiter and the Fellowship’s leadership team. Finalists will be subject to reference checks, conducted only with permission.

Why Join?

This is more than an executive role—it is a chance to lead a continental movement for food systems transformation. By elevating African leadership, the Executive Director will contribute to shaping healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable futures for millions across the continent.

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