In March 2025, The Rockefeller Foundation approved a first-of-its-kind $100 million “Big Bet” aimed at building markets to accelerate the transition to regenerative/agroecological production while targeting vulnerable consumers—school-aged children—through school meal programs and public procurement. With a five-year runway to co-design and implement this program, which aims to reach 100 million children with school lunches increasingly sourced from regeneratively produced food, the Foundation seeks a visionary and strategic Director to lead the development and execution of this initiative in Africa, with a primary focus on Kenya, Tanzania, and likely other East African countries.
The “Regenerative School Meals” initiative will feature “place-based lighthouses”—living labs within key landscapes where producers and food systems actors are supported in transitioning to regenerative production, with a focus on orchestrating markets into school meals and public procurement. The Director will lead the strategic design, implementation, and scaling of these lighthouse efforts, ensuring measurable gains in carbon sequestration, soil health, biodiversity, water quality, farmer profitability, yield, and cultural/spiritual cohesion.
This role will be based in Nairobi and will report to the Vice President, Food Initiative. The Director will oversee grantmaking, cultivate high-impact partnerships, lead cross-functional teams, and represent the Foundation externally as a thought leader in regenerative agriculture and food systems transformation. Additionally, the Director will design and deliver convenings, meetings, research agendas, and flagship publications, each elevating the science, stories, and successes pertinent to regenerative agriculture.
Please Note
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Education, Experience, and Skills
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.
As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.
The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.
The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Deadline for Applications: This job has no deadline, and application is still acceptable until filled.
“While we try our best to keep our information updated, the closing date of the actual job source may be changed by the recruiter without prior notice. With this, please make sure to check the official job link when submitting your application. Thank you.”
