IKEA Foundation

Chief Impact Officer

Our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people.

The IKEA Foundation is a strategic philanthropy that focuses its grantmaking efforts on tackling poverty and climate change. We see these as the two biggest threats to the future of children living in some of the most vulnerable parts of the world. Together with more than 150 partners, we work to improve family incomes and protect the planet.  

Founded by Ingvar Kamprad in 1982, we share the IKEA heritage, its values and its vision. We operate independently from the IKEA business, guided by our own strategy. The IKEA Foundation has paid out more than €1.8 billion to its partners so far and now grants more than €200 million each year. In addition, our board has dedicated €1 billion between 2021-2025 to emission reductions initiatives. Complex global problems require collaboration to drive systems change. We work in partnership to identify solutions that allow us to create the greatest impact with our funding.

The IKEA Foundation is now seeking a Chief Impact Officer (CIO) to strengthen our team. The CIO will lead the Foundation’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) efforts. They will work closely with the programmes team and our partners to use available data and evidence to inform grant-making strategies, continuously optimise programme impact, and advance organisational goals.

Reporting to the CEO, and as a key member of the Foundation’s leadership team, the CIO will champion cross-collaborations and lead the development and implementation of the IKEA Foundation’s impact framework, enhancing an evidence-based approach. The CIO will ensure appropriate performance reporting to keep executive leadership and the Board appraised of impact. 

The ideal candidate will be an individual with the ability to inspire, motivate and guide multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. They will have proven success in the field of measurement and evaluation, both in a technical and leadership capacity. The successful candidate should have experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods and experience working with data and evidence to inform strategy, policy and management decisions. You will bring a demonstrable current understanding of best practices of impact measurement, and the ability to identify patterns and trends, to draw meaningful conclusions.

The successful candidate will bring strong collaboration and communication skills, to establish and maintain excellent external relationships with partners, develop strategic networks and represent the foundation at conferences and related events. Above all, you will demonstrate a strong commitment to the vision, mission and values of the IKEA Foundation and improving the lives of people and the planet.

As CIO, you will be part of a small but enthusiastic team of people committed to making a difference. The position is based at the Foundation’s office in Leiden, the Netherlands.

To apply, please upload an up-to-date curriculum vitae (including comprehensive details of key achievements and responsibilities) along with a cover letter of application addressing the person specification at www.perrettlaver.com/candidates, quoting reference number 6962. Informal enquiries can be directed to Feride Yetis at  feride.yetis@perrettlaver.com.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 20^th December 2023 at 9:00 am CET.

Applications will be considered by the Appointment Advisory Committee in January. Perrett Laver will conduct preliminary discussions with longlisted candidates in mid-January and the Committee will then meet in February to decide on a shortlist of candidates. These individuals will subsequently be invited for formal interviews in mid-February. Selection of and negotiations with the preferred candidate will take place thereafter. A pre-employment screening as well as an online assessment will be part of the application process.

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