What I do
It’s my role to collect the evidence for proposed strategies, work with grantees on monitoring, and design evaluations – every day is different. I also help communicate our research out to the wider world, something that CIFF is passionate about. I travel every couple of months to visit our programmes and work with our grantees, mostly in Kenya but also in Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Expectation vs reality
I wanted to work somewhere that embraced innovation and was open to change – somewhere flexible and nimble. CIFF has been a perfect fit. In fact it’s exceeded my expectations. It’s very fast-paced, but knowing the priorities for CIFF and the wider community really helps you to focus.

The culture
The people here are very hard-working, talented and passionate. There’s a great diversity of backgrounds and skillsets. It’s competitive but also friendly and supportive. CIFF gives young people the opportunity to lead and develop and if you have an idea, people will support you. In terms of my learning, I recently went on a two-day evaluation methodology training course, and I’ve had various sessions with the Executive Coach. But the biggest opportunity is learning from the talented people that work here.

Working at CIFF
From VISA applications to meeting agendas, I provide admin support for the whole team including the directors, analysts and managers. The executive assistants work really closely at CIFF, it’s a very supportive team.

Expectation vs reality
Ever since I first heard about CIFF and the way it uses evidence and measurement to change the world, I wanted to work here. It’s been a steep learning curve and it can be very fast-paced with real peaks in activity, but you feel valued and trusted to do your job.

The culture
CIFF is very driven, with a clear purpose. We have a not-for-profit ambition but with a corporate mentality. It’s also very supportive – there’s a real sense of team spirit. And despite the pressure, it’s a really fun organisation – we have ‘Social Thursdays” once a month, for example – and there’s just this real sense of excitement around what we’re achieving.

Working at CIFF
I’m based in Delhi so do a lot of travelling throughout India visit the grantees and programmes. I’m also very connected to the other countries. The technology helps, and I often travel to London to work with colleagues here.

Expectation vs reality
I knew CIFF’s reputation for pushing boundaries and taking action. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to join. There’s ambition and a real appetite for risk that’s very rare. It’s exciting to be somewhere with such a problem-solving approach – a lot comes directly from our Founder.

The culture
It’s really high performing at CIFF. It can be competitive because people want to see their ideas succeed. You need to be able to sell an idea based on real evidence: Can we get the cost down? Is it scalable? The leadership team are very approachable, and very good at asking the right questions.

Working at CIFF
I provide finance support and advice to CIFF’s teams and grantees. I’m based in London but because it’s so important to understand the local context and challenges, I regularly visit programmes, particularly in Ethiopia.

Expectation vs reality
I knew CIFF was ambitious and I wanted to use my skills to support that ambition. I have a background in finance so CIFF’s business-like approach was also of particular interest. It’s a fast-paced organisation that’s still growing, and that really filters down to create this entrepreneurial culture: we’re not afraid to overcome challenges. I’m excited to come to work every day.

The culture
CIFF’s people are incredibly passionate and very ambitious – they challenge you day in day out. But they’re also very supportive, open and collaborative. We work together and look out for each other, particularly when there’s a need to respond fast. There’s a real culture of getting things done – it’s incredibly entrepreneurial.

Working at CIFF
I was a Youth Fellow for six months before I applied for a full time position here. As part of my role, I’m helping CIFF think through their investment in youth organisations, and changing the way they work with young people internally.

Expectation vs reality
To begin with I felt intimidated because I was young. But I knew the role I wanted to play and had the backing of the team. Meeting Chris, the Founder, helped dispel any fear, partly because he offered me tickets to go and see Chelsea FC play! Also, there’s an open culture of innovation at CIFF. Creativity isn’t curtailed, but encouraged. So, it’s a good space to be a young person.

The culture
The people here are the hard-hitters of the development space. They ideate and co-create investments that literally influence the lives of millions. It’s inspiring to know that over coffee I can talk to somebody who has been at the forefront of change. It’s a fun way to accelerate my career and a very rich experience.

Working at CIFF
I manage grants in a number of different countries including Bangladesh, India, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. I also lead on some global technical work. I spend a lot of my time with grantees, on the phone or meeting them in the field.

Expectation vs reality
I’m passionate about solving problems for children and reaching out to countries where there are only very basic resources. CIFF gives me the opportunity to do that. It’s a very unique place: fast-paced and challenging but also incredibly satisfying. It has empowered me to make decisions, holding me accountable and giving me the support to get results.

The culture
It’s a good mix of highly competitive and highly supportive. You’re actually able to make a difference. I’ve met some of the best people of my life here and members of the leadership team have been very inspiring.

Working at CIFF
I oversee our climate change portfolio in China. We have a big and exciting portfolio of programmes in the region and now I’m helping open a new office there.

Expectation vs reality
I wanted to work with a major funder – I actually moved to the UK just for the job. I knew CIFF’s people were professional and decisive. It’s very busy, which I like, and sometimes it’s very stressful, but almost every day something exciting happens, and we get things done.

The culture
The people here are great. They’re passionate about what we’re doing and extremely sharp. We’re honest about the size of the problems we face, but it’s also very supportive. When it comes to achieving your potential, there are no constraints – if you want to do something, you can mobilise support.

Working at CIFF
I support the portfolios that focus on sexual reproductive health services for young people. That includes grant management, stakeholder engagement and scoping out new ideas for proposals.

Expectation vs reality
I’d worked for one of our grantees before, so I knew CIFF was rigorous and very engaged with each programme. It’s been a steep learning curve. As a donor agency, there are always changes in priorities so you need to be adaptable and resilient. CIFF challenges me but in a good way: to come up with creative solutions, and respond to different situations.

The culture
It’s unique here because there are very few limitations and a lot of space to think creatively. Day-to-day it’s flexible in terms of where you work and your hours etc. It can be high pressure, but perhaps because of that people are really friendly and look after each other. People are always open to new ideas.

Working at CIFF
I design and manage investments with a focus on user-controlled methods of contraception, service delivery, and community-based distribution of health products. I’m based in our Nairobi office but spend about half my time in London or travelling regionally.

Expectation vs reality
I knew CIFF had a reputation for audacity and courage, but also for sometimes being a difficult place to work, with a lot of change and high staff turnover. It’s certainly met my expectations in terms of audacity and courage, and now there’s more stability. It’s still challenging, but it’s definitely getting better.

The culture
There’s no better place in the world to be working in terms of adolescent health. We have the freedom and scope to be creative and deliver. That high-level commitment doesn’t really exist anywhere else. I work very long hours, but the people are inspiring and there’s an incredible commitment to our values.