Robert Lankenau

Impact-focused nonprofit leader with 20+ years guiding humanitarian and development operations across fragile settings. Currently Street Child’s senior representative in East & Southern Africa, leading multi-country teams to strengthen impact, partnerships, and program quality. I provide strategic, programmatic, and operational leadership across Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda, supporting country teams to deepen partnerships and deliver high-quality education, child protection, and livelihoods programming for out-of-school children in crisis-affected settings. Previously, I led Oxfam International’s humanitarian work across Africa, managing a substantial portfolio and supporting crisis responses across 16 countries. Throughout my career, I have worked extensively in fragile and post-conflict contexts, helping organizations navigate complexity, drive localization, and strengthen program quality, learning, and accountability in partnership with national and local actors. My leadership approach blends operational problem-solving with coaching and mentorship. I enjoy building and supporting high-performing, diverse teams; fostering innovation and adaptive learning; and creating the systems and structures that enable consistent, accountable, and community-centered programming. I am particularly committed to advancing locally led approaches, evidence-informed decision-making, and organizational cultures rooted in learning, inclusion, and integrity. I also have a strong record in new business development, portfolio growth, and external representation with governments, institutional donors, foundations, UN agencies, and other partners. I am fluent in English, French, and German, with basic Arabic and Spanish.