Portfolio Head: Early Childhood Care & Education

London, England, United Kingdom

2/18/2025

Company Description

Vitol has a long history of charitable giving, making its first charitable grant in 2002. The Vitol Foundation was established in 2006, registered in Switzerland and operating independently from Vitol’s business interests. Since then, the Vitol Foundation has funded over 2000 projects in more than 120 countries around the world.

The Vitol Foundation aims to make a difference in the lives of people around the world trapped in poverty. They are passionate about supporting organisations and programme, that can take children and their families in the poorest of countries across the world out of the vicious cycle of multi-dimensional poverty.

Their work is focused on a few core areas: education, health, humanitarian relief and emergencies, water, sanitation and hygiene and local giving through Vitol’s offices worldwide.

By providing different types of financing to non-governmental organisations and social enterprises, the Vitol Foundation aims to:

• Fund transformational, efficient, sustainable, scalable and replicable solutions
• Support and strengthen government, private sector and community systems to provide sustainable health, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and employment opportunities
• Address the systemic issues that make humanitarian crises more acute, by funding resilience and preparation in addition to recovery
• Share models of evidence-based best practice that can be scaled by government, private sector and/or communities
• Act responsibly with diverse partners with sensitivity to their circumstances and cultural contexts
• Increase engagement and leverage the knowledge base of the Vitol Group worldwide
  
  

For more information, please see our website: https://vitol-foundation.com/

Job Description

Overview of the Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Head of Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Investments. This individual will play a critical role in shaping and advancing the foundation’s strategy to increase access to quality early education and care, particularly for marginalized children in the Global South. This leader will bring deep expertise in early childhood development, effective grant making, and cross-sector collaboration to drive systemic change and improve outcomes for young children and families.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision & Portfolio Leadership:

• Lead the strategic direction and execution of the foundation’s ECCE portfolio, ensuring alignment with the foundation’s mission to improve the lives of children and families, particularly in low-resource contexts.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, evidence-based strategy that scales access to high-quality ECCE programs across priority countries in the Global South.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative programs aimed at improving access to quality early learning and care, especially for marginalized communities.
• Act as the foundation’s lead expert in ECCE, advocating for global and regional policy reforms and increased funding in this critical sector.
  
  

Grant making & Investment:

• Lead the development and management of a robust portfolio of grants and investments, ensuring alignment with the foundation’s strategic priorities.
• Identify and assess high-impact opportunities for grant making, social investments, and for-profit ventures that advance early childhood care and education goals.
• Manage relationships with grantees and investees, providing strategic guidance and support to ensure successful outcomes.
• Collaborate with ecosystem actors to explore blended finance models that combine philanthropy and investment for sustainable impact.
  
  

Global Partnerships & Advocacy:

• Position the foundation as a leading voice in ECCE globally. Work closely with stakeholders across sectors (NGOs, academia, private sector) to align resources and expertise towards common goals in early childhood development.
• Advocate for the integration of ECCE into national and international development agendas, working with governments, multilateral institutions (e.g., UNICEF, World Bank), and key stakeholders to influence policy frameworks and secure commitments to ECCE at the highest levels.
• Represent the foundation at key international forums, conferences, and dialogues related to early learning, advocating for policy reforms, funding priorities, and collaborative action.
  
  

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning:

• Ensure that all ECCE programs—whether through grants or investments—are rigorously monitored, evaluated, and assessed for both social impact and financial sustainability.
• Oversee the monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework for early learning and care programs, ensuring data-driven insights and accountability.
• Lead efforts to capture and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and impact stories to inform future strategies and influence the broader sector.
  
  

Team Leadership & Collaboration:

• Lead, mentor, and collaborate with a high-performing, diverse team of professionals across development sectors, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and impact.
• Promote professional development within the team, ensuring staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to execute high-impact projects and navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
  
  

Qualifications

• Educational Background: Advanced degree in Early Childhood Education, International Development, Public Policy, or a related field, preferred.
• Experience: 12+ years of proven experience in managing or operating both for-profit investments and philanthropic grants within the ECCE space in the Global South.
• Strategic Insight and Expertise: Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to manage cross-sector partnerships, including government, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
• Facilitation and Communication: Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with experience representing an organization in global settings and advocating for policy and investment change.
• Project Management and Adaptability: Track record of developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with governments, multi-laterals, the private sector, and other key stakeholders.
  
  

Additional Information

• Vitol is an international company with offices across all continents
• You will work in a flat and approachable organization
• We are a great place to work. We have an excellent working atmosphere and we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package
• Staff are required to work at least 4 days per week in the office in London Victoria.