Director, Tobacco Control, Africa Region

Role overview

Vital Strategies is a global public health organization working to strengthen health systems and tackle major causes of illness, injury, and death. Its programs operate in more than 80 countries and focus on evidence-based policy, government support, and strategic communication across areas such as noncommunicable diseases, tobacco control, road safety, food policy, overdose prevention, environmental health, and data for health.

The organization values inclusive teams and encourages applications from people with different life experiences and backgrounds. Hiring is conducted without discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics.

About the position

Vital Strategies is looking for a Director, Tobacco Control, Africa Region to help advance its public health mission across Africa. The role reports to the Senior Vice President, Tobacco Control and requires strong expertise in government relations, public policy, and public health engagement in Africa, along with deep knowledge of tobacco control and noncommunicable diseases.

A major emphasis of this role is the recently launched Tobacco Control Accelerator (TCA) Fund, a multi-million-dollar annual initiative designed to accelerate tobacco control in low- and middle-income countries. Through this fund, Vital Strategies provides grants and technical assistance to governments and NGOs in countries that either have no best-practice tobacco control measures yet or are close to implementing them. The fund will work with partners in 13 countries.

This is a full-time position that may be based in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, or the United States. Compensation is competitive and benefits are comprehensive, with salary determined by local market conditions. Candidates must already be authorized to work legally in the location where they are hired.

Job purpose

The Director will provide overall leadership for Tobacco Control Division work across Africa, including planning, delivery, and reporting for regional programs and initiatives. With the TCA Fund as a core priority, the role will also work closely with the Vice President, Tobacco Control to oversee grant administration, operational management, and financial monitoring of the Africa portfolio.

The position manages four Senior Technical Advisors and five independent contractors in the region.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and sustain strong relationships with government counterparts, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and international agencies to advance tobacco control priorities.
• Grow and strengthen the organization’s country portfolio across the region to support advocacy and partnership development.
• Guide the regional team in building and maintaining partnerships and networks that advance tobacco control goals.
• Offer strategic and technical support to governments and NGOs in assigned countries.
• Ensure that regional and country approaches reflect proven practices and lessons learned.
• Support capacity building for stakeholders working on tobacco control in the region.
• Track tobacco control and public health developments in Africa through policy review, impact assessment, and monitoring of external trends.
• Align programs with Vital Strategies’ advocacy priorities, national policies, and the broader socio-economic and public health context.
• Advise on strategies and grants that help expose and counter tobacco industry interference.
• Lead regional strategy development, annual planning, and budget preparation.
• Provide leadership for the TCA Fund in Africa and ensure timely, effective implementation.
• Participate in grant application review and work with the Vice President, Tobacco Control on grant decisions.
• Review proposals and take part in grant negotiations and monitoring visits when needed.
• Coordinate with the Tobacco Control Division’s Grants Program to set up and run the Africa TCA grants fund.
• Identify and manage 10–15 sub-grantees each year.
• Organize and deliver technical support to active TCA sub-grantees.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise the regional team to deliver workplans and track progress.
• Oversee staff and country-based consultants to ensure strong performance and professional growth.
• Coordinate day-to-day team activity and promote collaboration across functions.
• Manage budgets and prepare regular reports.
• Support recruitment for the regional team when required.
• Work with Bloomberg Initiative partners and other key stakeholders to design and carry out country-level tobacco control activities.
• Collaborate with partners to set shared priorities, build joint strategies, and execute agreed actions.
• Coordinate with the Policy, Advocacy and Communication Division on advancing tobacco control measures.
• Represent the Tobacco Control Division in partner meetings and conference calls.
• Ensure timely information flow between senior leadership, country teams, and external partners.
• Contribute to divisional strategy, proposal development, and other organizational initiatives as needed.

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree or higher.
• At least 15 years of progressive professional experience.
• At least 10 years of experience in tobacco control or noncommunicable diseases.
• Prior work experience in Africa.
• Substantial engagement with government stakeholders, especially Ministries of Health, preferably in Africa.
• Proven experience in strategy design and execution.
• Preferred background in global public health nonprofit work.
• Preferred experience launching and scaling programs in Africa.

Skills and capabilities

• Strong understanding of public health policy, government relations, and policy implementation.
• Ability to build trusted relationships across sectors and across diverse cultural and social groups.
• Strong management judgment and decision-making skills.
• Proven leadership and people management ability.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style.
• Capacity to think strategically and work independently in multicultural environments.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and inclusive learning and work environments.

Language requirements

Excellent written and spoken English is required. French fluency is strongly preferred, and Portuguese fluency would be an advantage.

Working conditions

The role requires around 20% travel, with travel expected to be higher during the first year.

Additional information

Vital Strategies offers a highly competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits. The salary range will depend on the local market. The role may be based in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, or the United States, and the candidate must have legal work authorization in the chosen location at the time of hiring.