Global Chief Executive Officer

Location: The United Kingdom or Nairobi, Kenya with hybrid working

Salary: £110,000 per annum for UK based plus other benefits or KES 19m per annum for Nairobi based plus other benefits

Eligibility: Please note that candidates are legally obliged to confirm they are eligible to work in the UK or Kenya.

About Ripple Effect

Established in 1988 (as Send a Cow), Ripple Effect is a dynamic and passionate international development charity on a mission to create a powerful and lasting impact. Our vision is to see a rural Africa that is confident, thriving, and sustainable, with a growing economy and higher living standards for all. At Ripple Effect, we’ve honed our focus on three critical areas: Sustainable Agriculture, Gender and Social Inclusion, and Enterprise Development. Through these pillars, we’re dedicated to combating poverty and nurturing a vibrant, thriving African landscape that will thrive for generations to come.

About The Role

The Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will provide inspirational, strategic and values-led leadership for Ripple Effect as it delivers its ambitious vision of creating sustainable change with farming families across rural Africa. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Global CEO will be responsible for leading the organisation globally, ensuring the successful delivery of its mission, long-term strategy and organisational objectives.

As the organisation continues its journey towards locally led development through its Africa Forward Together strategy, the Global CEO will champion a leadership approach that empowers colleagues closest to the communities Ripple Effect serves, while ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, impactful and resilient. The Global CEO will lead the development and implementation of Ripple Effect’s strategic priorities, fostering a strong organisational culture, strengthening global partnerships and ensuring the charity continues to deliver measurable impact for farming families and communities.

Working closely with the Board, the Global Senior Leadership Team and senior leaders across Africa and the UK, the Global CEO will provide overall accountability for organisational performance, governance, financial stewardship, risk management and reputation. They will act as Ripple Effect’s principal ambassador, building influential relationships with donors, funding partners, governments, sector leaders and other key stakeholders to strengthen the organisation’s profile, influence and impact.

Required Competencies

• Strategic thinking: Combines strategic vision with decisive execution, thinks strategically by shaping a compelling long-term vision, anticipates emerging challenges and opportunities, overcomes barriers with determination and resilience and leads transformative change that delivers sustainable mission impact.
• Delivery focus: Focus on delivery of Ripple Effect’s programme objectives & strategy.
• Critical thinking: Able to structure and process qualitative and quantitative information and draw insightful conclusions.
• Knowledge and communications: Capable to lead conversations with donors and delivery partners on complex issues relevant to Ripple Effect’s work.
• Ownership and Follow-through: Takes personal responsibility for commitments and follows through.
• Financial acumen & attention to detail: Strong financial understanding, with the ability to analyse accounts, review documents and synthesise situations in detail.
• Adaptability: Champions continuous learning and innovation by turning successes and setbacks into insight, solving complex challenges, and taking decisive action to unlock opportunities and drive progress.
• Team player: Builds an inclusive, empowering culture that breaks down silos, fosters strong cross-functional collaboration, and creates diverse, psychologically safe environments where everyone can contribute, develop, and thrive.
• Accountability: Acts with integrity and courage to address difficult issues, foster accountability and trust, and ensure responsible management of resources to maximise impact.
• High-performance mindset: Creates a culture of accountability, manages the team to a high-performance standard, offering support and ensuring accountability.

Key Dates

Closing Date: 30th September 2026

First Stage Interviews (Oxford HR): Week of 12th October 2026

Second Stage Interviews: Week of 2nd November 2026

Third Stage Interviews (In-person UK or Kenya): Week of 7th December 2026

• Dates are subject to change. Please note that candidates who reach third stage interviews will be asked to participate in psychometric assessments as part of this recruitment process.

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