You believe you have the educational background and professional experience to elevate the organization to the highest international standards? CAF is looking to recruit a General Secretary
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The General Secretary of CAF is a strategic role. He/She serves as the Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the organization, responsible for its day-to-day management and for implementing the decisions of the President and the Executive Committee, while ensuring compliance with applicable sporting regulations, particularly those of CAF and FIFA. The General Secretary reports directly to the CAF President and the Executive Committee.
1) Administrative and Institutional Management
- Ensure the operational leadership and overall efficiency of the administration of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Secretariat.
- Act as the Head of CAF administration, overseeing all institutional functions under the authority of the President.
- Oversee and coordinate all departments, across all functional areas of the organization, including but not limited to Finance, Competitions, Legal and ComplianceCommunications, Commercial and Marketing, HR and Services,, Member Associations and Development, ensuring alignment with CAF’s strategic objectives.
- Organize and manage statutory meetings (General Assembly, Executive Committee, Standing Committees), ensuring proper preparation, documentation, and follow-up.
- Prepare the agendas of the General Assembly, Executive Committee, and Standing Committees in consultation with the President.
- Take part in all CAF leadership meetings without voting rights, ensuring effective administrative support and continuity across all statutory and governance meetings.
- Ensure full legal and regulatory compliance of statutes, policies, and governing documents.
- Administer CAF’s affairs and ensure implementation of decisions of the General Assembly, Executive Committee, Emergency Committee, Standing Committees, and legal bodies, in line with directives of the President.
- Promote a high-performance culture, strong internal coordination, and continuous institutional improvement.
- Be guided by the established HR policies on recruitment and release of staff.
2) Strategic Implementation of Projects, Programs and Competitions
- Implement decisions of the Executive Committee effectively and within agreed timelines.
- Oversee the planning, organization, and continuous improvement of CAF competitions in line with international standards and best practices.
- Contribute to the development, execution, and monitoring of CAF’s strategic plan and key initiatives.
- Coordinate and oversee football development programs (youth, women’s football, capacity building, and infrastructure development).
- Ensure alignment between competitions, development programs, and CAF’s long-term strategic objectives.
- Drive innovation and modernization across programs to elevate CAF to leading international standards.
- Lead organizational transformation initiatives, including digitalization, process optimization, and performance management systems.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure effective delivery of CAF’s strategic objectives
3) Financial Management
- Develop, implement, and monitor the annual budget in alignment with CAF’s strategic priorities.
- Ensure transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of financial governance.
- Manage CAF’s financial affairs and treasury, ensuring proper accounting and financial controls.
- Cooperate with the Finance Committee to prepare financial statements and budgets for submission to the Executive Committee and approval by the General Assembly.
- Authorize documents relating to expenses and income in line with CAF financial regulations.
- Oversee internal controls, risk management systems, and internal and external audit processes.
- Optimize resource allocation and ensure financial sustainability of CAF activities.
- Ensure alignment between financial planning and strategic priorities, with a focus on efficiency and long-term sustainability.
4) Institutional Relations and Representation
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with FIFA, Zonal Unions, Member Associations, leagues, clubs, and public authorities.
- Ensure effective, transparent, and continuous communication with CAF’s 54 Member Associations, including timely dissemination of information, structured follow-up on decisions, and support for implementation of CAF programs and regulations.
- Represent CAF at national, continental, and international levels, including engagements with FIFA and key stakeholders.
- Act as CAF’s legal representative when specifically empowered by the President or Executive Committee.
- Foster strategic partnerships with technical, commercial, and financial partners.
- Act as a key ambassador for CAF, enhancing its global reputation and influence.
- Oversee CAF’s correspondence and public relations to ensure consistent and professional communication.
- Manage high-level stakeholder engagement, including conflict resolution and diplomatic relations across diverse institutional environments.
- Oversee institutional communication strategies, including crisis communication and media relations.
5) Governance and Compliance
- Ensure adherence to the highest standards of good governance, ethics, and transparency.
- Oversee legal, regulatory, and disciplinary matters in line with CAF statutes and international best practices.
- Ensure compliance with international standards and frameworks, including those of CAF and FIFA.
- Support continuous governance reforms and institutional strengthening initiatives.
- Ensure proper documentation and compilation of official minutes of the General Assembly, Executive Committee, Emergency Committee, and Standing Committees.
- Ensure robust integrity frameworks, including conflict of interest management, confidentiality, and institutional independence
REQUIREMENTS (CANDIDATE PROFILE):
- Master’s degree in Sports Management, Sports Law, Business Administration, or a related field, with proven experience in football or sports governance.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience within football, sports organizations, or international sports governing bodies; experience within continental or global football institutions is a strong advantage.
- Demonstrated senior management experience in managing football operations, competitions, development programs, or sports administration at national, continental, or international level.
- Strong and proven knowledge of football governance, regulatory frameworks, and institutional structures, particularly those of CAF and FIFA.
- Strong knowledge and practical experience in Football Law, including regulatory frameworks, disciplinary procedures, contractual matters, and dispute resolution mechanisms within international football
- Experience in organizing, managing, or overseeing football competitions, football development initiatives and capacity-building programs.
- Deep understanding of the football ecosystem across CAF’s 54 Member Associations, including governance structures, leagues, clubs, and regional dynamics.
- Experience in financial management, including budgeting, auditing, and financial governance.
- Strong understanding of governance, ethics, compliance, and integrity frameworks in football.
- Understanding of commercial and business aspects of football, including sponsorship, broadcasting rights, marketing, and revenue generation.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with Member Associations, clubs, leagues, governments, sponsors, and international partners.
- High level of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the values and development of African football.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage complex interpersonal relationships effectively within a diverse, multicultural environment.
- Strong leadership, decision-making, and crisis management capabilities, with the ability to operate under pressure in a high-profile sporting environment.
- Fluency in English and/or French is mandatory; knowledge of additional languages (Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish) is an asset.
- Willingness to travel extensively and to be based in Cairo, Egypt
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- The General Secretary of CAF must demonstrate:
- Integrity and a strong sense of ethics
- Neutrality and independence in decision-making
- Rigor, professionalism, and humility
- Responsiveness and strong forward-thinking ability
- Commitment to the development and promotion of football across Africa
- African nationality or African origin with Strong professional experience and demonstrated understanding of the African football landscape
- Strong teamwork skills and excellent interpersonal abilities
- Candidate must not be more than 60 years
WE OFFER:
- An interesting and varied job in an exciting and innovative international organization.
- Attractive employment conditions.
- The opportunity to be part of a highly committed international team.
- An excellent pension scheme.
The position will be based in CAF Headquarters – Cairo, Egypt. Only qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to gender, race, age, skin colour, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or on any other grounds.
If you have the necessary qualifications and are keen to work for a top international sporting organization, submit your application in English (Motivation Letter, CV, Diplomas, and Reference Letters).
Only direct applications who meet all the required criteria will receive consideration.
Please send your C.V. to VPs@cafonline.com
Application deadline 10/07/2026