Deputy Director - Sustainable Growth, Africa

About the Role

Deporting to the Director, Sustainable Growth, the Deputy Director - Africa, will lead global capital engagement strategies and serve as the key relationship manager for institutional partners advancing our work in climate, gender equity, economic opportunity, and health in Africa. This role requires deep expertise in Africa and combines strategic advisory, partnership development, and high-level representation of 500 Global in global development and finance circles.

Africa-based (Remote across the African continent)

Essential Functions

Strategy

• Contribute to and execute 500 Global's capital engagement strategy across Africa for the Sustainable Growth division.

• Identify and develop initiatives that connect innovation, sustainable finance, and development priorities to accelerate sustainable growth across Africa and in the Global Majority.

• Stay at the forefront of developments and innovations in sustainable finance, venture philanthropy, and impact investing to position 500 Global as a trusted leader and innovator in the sector.

• Monitor and capitalize on trends in global development finance, blended capital structures, and publicprivate partnerships to inform pipeline development and long-term strategy.

• Translate high-level vision into actionable strategies, implementation plans, and measurable outcomesdriving coordination, accountability, and performance across teams.

• Advise the Director, Managing Partner and COO on partnership strategy, capital deployment opportunities, and organizational positioning across Africa, providing clear analysis and recommendations to guide senior decision-making.

Implementation

• Lead the design, implementation, and delivery of partnerships with DFIs, multilaterals, corporates, and foundations focused on sustainable growth across Africa, with lasting impact on health, agriculture, gender, climate, and using AI as a key enabler.

• Develop high-quality, trust-building materials for partnersincluding proposals, investment memos, strategic briefs, and co-branded thought leadership content.

• Work closely with internal investment, communications, and impact teams to integrate partnership insights into strategy, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

Relationship Building and Management

• Cultivate long-term partnerships with DFIs, multilaterals, foundations, corporations, family offices, and institutional LPs across Africa.

• Serve as a key relationship manager for existing and prospective capital partners, ensuring consistent engagement, strategic alignment, and delivery against partnership objectives in the region and across the Global Majority.

• Represent 500 Global at major investor forums, policy dialogues, and development finance convenings to advance the firm's thought leadership and strategic relationships.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• At least 10 years in capital partnerships, sustainable finance, or global development, ideally within DFIs, multilaterals, or impact investing platforms.

• Deep experience working in African countries and engaging with key stakeholders across the region (private sector, governments, philanthropies, etc).

• Demonstrated success building institutional partnerships and managing senior external relationships.

• Proven ability to design and execute strategic initiatives that convert partnerships into tangible outcomes.

• Strong understanding of catalytic finance, blended capital models, and ESG frameworks, with expertise in different development sectors such as health, climate agriculture and/or food security, and technology and innovations (AI, DPI, etc)

• Experience representing organizations at high-level forums or negotiations.

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

• Analytical and strategic thinker with a bias toward action.

• High emotional intelligence and professional maturity in managing senior relationships.

• Comfortable working across cultures, time zones, and organizational boundaries.

• Entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and commitment to 500 Global's mission of building inclusive economies.

• Preferred Qualifications: Deep expertise in health, agriculture and innovation, especially across Africa