International Director of Impact and External Relations

About Us

Light for the World is an international organization committed to building inclusive societies where people with disabilities have access to quality education, health, and work protection in emergencies. We also support advocacy efforts of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to influenced policies. Partnering with communities, governments, and other stakeholders, we drive sustainable change to empower individuals with disabilities to fully participate in all areas of life. We are a diverse, values-driven international team of over 300 staff operating in other 6 countries in Africa and in 6 countries in Europe.

Place of work: Austria, Germany, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan or Mozambique

• Please note: To be eligible for selection, applicants must already hold a valid work permit or visa for one of the listed countries.

Salary: EUR 75K to EUR 80K; market rates apply elsewhere

Duration: Full-time, permanent

Reports to: CEO

Starting date: Possible from January 2026

About the Role

The Director of Impact and External Relations advances Light for the World's mission by leading global business development, including institutional fundraising, ensuring programme quality, and fostering innovation across specialist teams. The role combines strategic vision with operational leadership to drive the implementation of the 2030 Strategy, which entails participation in the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) process, contributing to Go/No-Go decisions, and strengthening monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and adapting (MERLA) to generate actionable insights beyond reach data. The postholder will combine championing the generation of profound funding with excellence, innovation, and new content propositions that keep our programmes relevant, impactful, and forward-looking.

• Provide global strategic leadership for institutional and international foundation fundraising, shaping a forward-looking funding strategy, cultivating high-value partnerships, and aligning donor engagement with programme priorities
• Ensure growth and diversification of funding by expanding institutional and foundation partnerships, exploring innovative financing models (including advisory and consulting services), and strategically engaging Global South funding ecosystems
• Ensure organisational excellence in programme quality and learning, promoting coherent and high-impact approaches for planning, monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and accountability
• Drive innovation in programme design and impact measurement, evolving beyond traditional reach indicators to deliver meaningful insights and evidence that inform decision-making and demonstrate long-term change
• Lead and develop the Impact and External Relations Department, guiding six specialist teams (Institutional Partnerships, Impact & Learning, Programme Quality & Systems Change, Advisory Services, Global Communication & Brand, Advocacy) and fostering collaboration, innovation, and team development
• Champion the operationalisation of Light for the World's 2030 strategy, ensuring strategic alignment and participation in key organisational processes (MAPP, Go/No-Go, strategic reviews)
• Strengthen and expand external partnerships, building visibility, credibility, and influence through collaboration with institutional donors, advisory partners, and peer organisations
• Encourage thought leadership and innovation, ensuring Light for the World stays at the forefront of emerging trends and approaches in disability inclusion, development cooperation, and systems change
• Contribute to international leadership and governance as part of the Senior Management Team, supporting strategic decision-making, organisational development, and global coherence

• Proven senior management experience in an international NGO or similar context
• Strong track record in institutional fundraising and partnership development, including engagement with institutional and foundation funders
• Proven experience in driving programme quality, learning, and innovation, with the ability to translate strategy into operational realities
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated capacity to guide multi-stakeholder processes and lead specialist teams
• Good to excellent understanding of disability inclusion and/or eye health sectors, with knowledge of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
• Good communication and representation skills, with experience in international advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and public speaking desirable
• Fluency in English; French and/or Portuguese are an asset
• Candidates with disabilities and/or from the Global Majority (especially Sub-Saharan Africa) are strongly encouraged to apply

• This is your chance to drive meaningful change with an internationally recognized development organization, while expanding your professional skills and experience
• Join a motivated, diverse, and professional team committed to continuous growth and innovation. We value participatory leadership, where your ideas and expertise will shape our collective success
• Enjoy a competitive salary within the international NGO sector, with full social insurance and a range of additional benefits
• Benefit from flexible working hours and the option to work remotely, empowering you to balance professional and personal commitments
• Experience a warm, dynamic, and inclusive work environment where everyone's contributions are valued, and collaboration is at the heart of our mission

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion in our organization. We welcome and encourage applications from all people regardless of national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or gender identity, and we very much welcome applications from people with disabilities.