We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

The Advisory practice within the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) advises reforming political leaders and governments on strategy, policy and delivery and achieve significant and positive impact for citizens around the world.

In Togo, TBI has been supporting the Government since 2017 with a mandate to help accelerate implementation of priority projects in the key sectors outlined in the National Roadmap 2025, which focuses on:

1) strengthening social inclusion and harmony and consolidating peace,

2) boosting job creation based on the strengths of the economy, and 3) modernizing the country and strengthening its agencies.

Since its inception, our country programme has expanded from supporting the establishment of a Delivery Unit to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, to supporting wider government institutions facilitate the implementation of flagship initiatives and key reforms with high potential for economic prosperity and sustainable development.

We are looking for a new Country Director to lead and strengthen our client engagement and country programme in Togo. This is an exciting leadership role to drive impact in an emerging market, building on a strong partnership with Government and an established team.

The person will be based in Lomé and must be fluent in French and English.

Key Responsibilities

The Country Director is ultimately accountable for programme delivery, success, and team performance working closely with the Regional Director for Francophone West and Central Africa, the country team, and central support units to:

1. Engage with principal stakeholders

· Through the delivery of quality and relevant insights, build and maintain effective and trusted relationships with the country’s most senior leaders and government officials.

· Elevate the level of expertise deployed by TBI in country to meet the strategic demands of the client.

· Secure mandates for TBI from principal stakeholders, placing sustainable social and economic development at their core.

· Ensure projects bring the best of TBI to clients by harnessing the skills, knowledge, and capacity of political, policy, and research functions across TBI.

· Hold operational accountability for the effective management of client relations with co-development of account prospects.

2. Set the strategic direction and drive performance

· Strategically lead and manage the country programme, ensuring the delivery of high-quality advice and projects in line with TBI’s unique value proposition.

· Identify and pursue partnership and funding opportunities with bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic donors and technical partners to enhance TBI Togo country programme.

· Hold final accountability for the quality, timeliness, and scope alignment of client-facing deliverables.

· Facilitate and oversee internal reporting and learning, proactively keeping TBI Advisory Leadership updated on progress and potential bottlenecks.

· Identify growth opportunities in the country and, where relevant, oversee scoping of new projects and any necessary business planning.

· Drive and deliver the further expansion and sustainability of our work in the country.

3. Deliver through the team

· Lead a high caliber team that is bought into the shared strategy, is aligned across workstreams, solves problems together, and holds each other accountable for impact.

· Provide detailed direction and support to the team, ensuring efficient project planning, effective task allocation, pertinent content development and follow-through.

· Ensure the growth and development of a high-performing team committed to the values of the organisation with a continued focus on learning and development, including through teamwork, regular feedback and performance reviews.

· Leading by example, shape and embody a positive culture that drives ambition, innovation, and delivery.

4. Ensure operational accountability

· Hold accountability for the efficacy and efficiency of the country programme, ensuring operational plans and internal TBI policies are in place and followed.

· Ensure expenditure is utilised in line with budget, with robust management oversight and accountability established amongst budget delegations.

· Ensure legal requirements are met for operating in country, including initiating and supporting all administrative activities relating to the project and TBI staff in country.

Person Specification

The successful candidate should be an experienced and successful leader:

· Extensive experience in politics, government, government advisory, management consulting or other organisational leadership.

· Experience working with international financial and technical partners, government officials, business leaders, and other influential stakeholders in the Francophone Africa region, and preferably in Togo.

· Who is strategic, entrepreneurial, can challenge the status-quo and develop plans for successful delivery of challenging objectives.

· With outstanding leadership and management skills and the proven ability to build and inspire teams to achieve exceptional objectives.

· Who is a skilled communicator and influencer, from executive office level through to technical level, is adept at speaking to senior leadership, knows how to navigate ambiguous environments and is comfortable at managing up and beyond hierarchy.

· Who has worked or consulted in developing and emerging economies and is sensitive to a diverse range of cultural and regional norms and fosters a positive spirit of collaboration.

· Fluency in French and English is required.

Closing Date:

2024-07-19