VisionFund International has opened applications for a Regional People & Culture Director, West Africa (Africa 3), offering an opportunity for an experienced human resources professional to provide strategic leadership across a cluster of countries in West Africa.
The full-time position will support VisionFund’s People & Culture strategy across Senegal, Mali and Ghana, while working closely with regional and global leadership teams.
The application deadline is August 31, 2026.
VisionFund International is the microfinance provider of World Vision, delivering financial products and services to vulnerable communities. Through loans, savings and insurance, the organization supports families to develop livelihoods, generate income and build more secure futures for their children.
About the Regional People & Culture Director Position
The Regional People & Culture Director will provide strategic direction and oversight to the People & Culture function across the assigned West African region.
The successful candidate will work under the leadership of the Global Director of People & Culture while also working closely with the Regional Director and other senior leaders. The role will involve advising leadership teams and boards of directors on critical people-related decisions and ensuring that human resources strategies contribute directly to organizational performance.
The position will also oversee and support People & Culture managers within the microfinance institutions operating in the region.
A central objective of the role is to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of People & Culture services while ensuring that policies and practices remain aligned with VisionFund’s global strategy, organizational values and applicable employment laws.
Key Responsibilities
The Regional People & Culture Director will have responsibility for a broad portfolio covering strategic human resources, organizational development and employee management.
Key responsibilities will include providing leadership to People & Culture teams across the region and contributing to the development of regional strategies and business plans.
The successful candidate will also support areas including talent acquisition, workforce planning, leadership development, talent management, employee relations, total rewards, performance management, retention and succession planning.
Another important component of the role will be advising Regional Directors, Finance Directors and local boards on People & Culture matters, particularly decisions involving senior management and key organizational positions.
The director will also ensure that People & Culture practices comply with relevant national employment regulations, labour laws and VisionFund policies.
Supporting Organizational Development
The position goes beyond traditional human resources management and places significant emphasis on organizational development and leadership capacity.
The successful candidate will help develop the capabilities of local People & Culture teams and facilitate knowledge-sharing between the different microfinance institutions.
This may include establishing communities of practice, sharing lessons learned, identifying best practices and supporting the development of learning resources that respond to the needs of individual offices and countries.
The director will also work with senior leadership teams to strengthen succession planning and develop a strong pipeline of talent for future leadership positions.
Risk Management and Safeguarding
The role will also have an important quality assurance and risk management component.
The Regional People & Culture Director will provide guidance to country teams to ensure that People & Culture practices comply with VisionFund and World Vision standards, policies and procedures.
The successful candidate will help identify and address gaps in HR practices and support the implementation of measures designed to reduce employment-related risks.
Responsibilities will include supporting compliance with labour laws, employee relations standards and safeguarding requirements. The director will also oversee appropriate follow-up on incidents and management decisions involving People & Culture issues.
The role requires collaboration with safeguarding specialists and other organizational functions to ensure that employees and other stakeholders operate within a safe, respectful and inclusive environment.
Stakeholder Engagement
The successful candidate will serve as a key People & Culture liaison between regional teams, country offices and global Centres of Expertise.
The role will involve developing relationships with external organizations, including financial inclusion networks, non-governmental organizations, professional HR networks and consulting organizations.
These partnerships will help VisionFund benchmark its practices, strengthen organizational capacity and enhance its employer brand.
The director will also be expected to provide coaching and support to team members while encouraging a strong culture of service, leadership and professional development.
Qualifications and Experience
VisionFund is seeking an experienced HR leader with substantial experience working in complex organizations.
Applicants should have eight to ten years of experience in HR leadership, senior human resources management or a related field, with significant organizational development experience.
A university degree is required, preferably with a strong emphasis on human resources. Professional qualifications such as CIPD, SHRM or an equivalent certification would be an advantage.
Experience in financial inclusion, microfinance or financial services would also be beneficial.
Candidates should have experience working in at least two countries within the assigned region and demonstrate a proven ability to operate as part of a senior multinational leadership team.
Experience working with boards of directors is also desirable.
The successful applicant should possess a strong understanding of human resources management, organizational development, group dynamics and staff development. VisionFund is also looking for someone with strong analytical and critical-thinking skills who can influence organizational direction and support organizational change.
English and French Required
Language ability is a significant requirement for the position.
The successful candidate must be proficient in both English and French, although applications must be submitted in English.
VisionFund specifies that applicants should either be native French speakers with excellent English or native English speakers with excellent French.
Locations and Travel
The position is listed across several locations, including Dakar, Senegal; Nairobi, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Arusha, Tanzania; and Cyprus with home working, alongside additional listed locations.
The role requires travel of up to 30%, reflecting its regional responsibilities.
Applicants should also note that the vacancy is listed as being open to local applicants only.
Christian Organization Requirements
VisionFund International is the microfinance provider of World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization.
Consequently, the successful applicant will be expected, where legally permissible, to affirm the organization’s core documents and demonstrate conduct consistent with its Christian principles, professional ethics and cultural expectations.
The role also emphasizes Christian leadership, servant leadership and the professional, personal and spiritual development of team members.
Applicants should review these requirements carefully before applying.
How to Apply
Interested professionals should submit their applications through the official World Vision careers platform.
Apply through the official World Vision Careers platform
The application deadline is August 31, 2026.
Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline and ensure that their CV and application clearly demonstrate their senior HR leadership experience, organizational development expertise, regional experience and English and French language capabilities.
Opportunity Summary
Position: Regional People & Culture Director, West Africa (Africa 3)
Organization: VisionFund International
Employment: Full-time
Region: West Africa
Countries covered: Senegal, Mali and Ghana
Experience: 8–10 years in senior HR leadership or related experience
Languages: English and French
Travel: Up to 30%
Deadline: August 31, 2026
Applicant type: Local applicants only
The position offers an opportunity for an experienced People & Culture professional to contribute to organizational strategy across several African markets while supporting VisionFund’s broader mission of expanding financial inclusion and helping vulnerable families build sustainable livelihoods.
