Company Overview:

The Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a pioneering, mission-driven organisation working to build a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Founded and fully funded by Pharo Management, an emerging markets hedge fund, the Foundation represents a new model of philanthrocapitalism: a private endowment using its own capital to design, fund, and operate development programmes with private-sector discipline and long-term commitment.

Over the next decade, the Foundation’s ambition is to deliver lasting impact across three interdependent missions:

• Empowering the next generation through affordable, high-quality education.
• Solving water scarcity by building and operating sustainable water infrastructure.
• Driving economic productivity by unlocking jobs, investment, and innovation through both non-profit and for-profit ventures.

The Foundation operates in Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, and Rwanda, employing more than 750 people. It combines a not-for-profit engine: Pharo Development, with a for-profit engine, Pharo Ventures, which builds and operates sustainable businesses to create jobs and advance economic self-reliance.

About the Role:

We are seeking an exceptional Country Director for Ethiopia, a visionary leader who can combine the heart of a philanthropist with the strategic and commercial discipline of a chief executive. This individual will lead over 280 colleagues and oversee the Foundation’s full Ethiopia portfolio, spanning education, water, and productivity initiatives, as well as for-profit ventures.

This is not a traditional NGO leadership role. It is the equivalent of running a multi-sector enterprise combining schools (from fully subsidised to fee-paying models), water interventions that unlock community livelihoods, and major commercial investments such as the Pharo Edible Oil Plant and a forthcoming investment in a health business.

The Country Director will be accountable for strategy, financial performance, people, and impact. They will represent the Foundation to the Government of Ethiopia, partners, and the public, while driving operational excellence and measurable results across all missions.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the design and execution of a country strategy aligned to the Foundation’s long-term vision and three missions.
• Shape and steer the Ethiopia portfolio across non-profit and for-profit initiatives, to achieve financial sustainability and measurable impact.
• Work closely with the CEO, COO, and Global Executive Committee to translate strategic ambitions into executable country plans and annual budgets.
• Build and maintain a values-driven culture centred on performance, accountability, and empowerment.
• Programme and Venture Management
• Oversee all education, water, and productivity initiatives in Ethiopia, ensuring each delivers strong operational results and societal impact.
• Provide leadership oversight to the Pharo Edible Oil Plant and other Pharo Ventures in Ethiopia, working with General Managers to achieve operational excellence and profitability.
• Identify new investment opportunities and contribute to business plans, investment analysis, and due diligence for future ventures.
• Ensure compliance, governance, and high-quality project delivery across all entities under the Pharo umbrella.

Stakeholder and Government Engagement

• Represent Pharo Foundation as its chief ambassador in Ethiopia, building trusted relationships with government ministries, regulators, community leaders, and private-sector partners.
• Secure necessary approvals and ensure full compliance with national laws and regulations.
• Promote the Foundation’s recognition, reputation, and credibility within Ethiopia’s development and investment ecosystem.

Financial and Operational Stewardship

• Take full accountability for the financial health of Pharo’s Ethiopia operations including budgeting, forecasting, capital expenditure, and resource allocation.
• Oversee strong internal controls and ensure financial governance standards consistent with international best practice.
• Drive operational efficiency and cost discipline while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

People Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of over 280 employees across multiple sites.
• Attract, retain, and develop exceptional Ethiopian and diaspora talent.
• Foster a culture of high performance, integrity, and collaboration, ensuring alignment with Pharo’s values and mission.
• Work with the People & Culture team to design leadership development, succession, and performance management frameworks.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Development Economics, Engineering, or equivalent).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience, with at least 5 years in senior management in Ethiopia ideally in both private and development sectors.
• Proven track record of scaling organisations, programmes, or businesses in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated financial management expertise, including budgeting, forecasting, and P&L accountability.
• Experience working with boards, senior government officials, and external investors.
• Exposure to both philanthropic and commercial structures is a strong advantage.

Personal Attributes

• A visionary leader with the strategic acumen of a CEO and the humility of a servant leader.
• Deep respect for Ethiopian culture, institutions, and people, coupled with a global perspective.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, resourceful, analytical, and results oriented.
• High levels of integrity, accountability, and professional maturity.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire trust and motivate others.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to thrive in dynamic and fast-evolving environments.
• Passionate about nation-building and the transformative power of education, water, and productivity.

Application Procedure 
JobnetAfrica is the exclusive recruitment partner for this vacancy and will be the first point of contact. If you’re interested, please submit your application with 1) a detailed CV and 2) a cover letter explaining their motivation and fit for the role via the link below.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to work on a case study and provide contactable references.