Director, Tobacco Control, Africa Region

About the role

Vital Strategies is seeking a Director of Tobacco Control for the Africa Region to lead its Tobacco Control Accelerator (TCA) Fund. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Tobacco Control, the role will guide multi‑country grant programmes and technical assistance to advance best‑practice tobacco control policies across low‑ and middle‑income African nations.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the TCA Fund’s multimillion‑dollar budget and ensure effective allocation of grants to governments and NGOs in 13 target countries.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with ministries of health, regulatory agencies, and civil‑society organizations.
• Lead policy analysis, advocacy, and public‑health communications to promote tobacco‑control legislation and implementation.
• Provide technical support and capacity‑building to partners for the adoption of WHO‑recommended tobacco‑control measures.
• Represent Vital Strategies in regional forums, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in tobacco control and non‑communicable disease (NCD) programmes within Africa.
• Proven track record in government relations, policy development, and public‑health advocacy.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large, multi‑country grant portfolios and technical assistance projects.
• Legal authorization to work in one of the listed locations (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, or the United States).

Required skills

What we offer

• Full‑time, permanent position with competitive, market‑based compensation.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to shape tobacco‑control policy across the African continent.