ABOUT TRUSTAFRICA
TrustAfrica is an African led pan African foundation headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. It began in 2006 with the conviction that Africans must set the agenda for tackling our continent’s most pressing challenges. We are an independent philanthropy rooted on the continent, and this is central to what we do and how we do it. Our Mission is to promote responsible citizenship and accountable leadership in addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges. We are looking for a knowledgeable, experienced and committed person who is willing to join our programs team in the Fund Manager role.
ABOUT THE FUND
The West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF) is a joint initiative of the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY), and the Open Society Foundations (OSF). WADF was launched in Abuja in October 2024. The Fund is hosted by TrustAfrica, and its primary mandate is to strengthen democracy across West African nations facing various democratic challenges. Over a three-year period, the Fund aims to support activities that enhance citizen engagement in democratic processes and political transitions within these countries.
The goal of the Fund is to contribute to expanding the democratic and civic spaces in West Africa by strengthening opportunities for citizens’ voices to be included in defining the norms for the governance of their countries. It focuses on empowering civil society organizations, promoting inclusive policy reforms, and increasing the participation of marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, in governance. WADF also seeks to address issues such as rising authoritarianism, economic justice, and declining public trust in democratic institutions in the region.
Strategic Focus
The Manager of the West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF) will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to the Fund, ensuring its mission to support the reimagining of democracy and promote democratic governance in West Africa is fulfilled. The Manager will oversee all aspects of the Fund's operations, including program development and management, financial oversight, and external relations. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in development, democracy, and political governance, particularly in the West African context.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership and Vision:
- Lead the development and execution of the WADF’s strategic plan, ensuring that the Fund’s mission aligns with broader regional goals for democracy and good governance in West Africa.
- Provide visionary leadership in identifying key areas for intervention, fostering democratic processes, and enhancing governance structures.
- Ensure that WADF remains responsive to the evolving political landscape of West Africa and adjusts its strategies accordingly.
- Fund Management:
- Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of programs that promote democratic governance (including electoral integrity, respect for rights and justice, and the participation of women and youth) in West Africa.
- Identify, evaluate, and assist with the shortlisting of potential grantees of the Fund based on the laid down criteria.
- Manage the Fund's portfolio, including disbursing funds, monitoring progress, and managing risks.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and fund guidelines
- Fundraising and Resource Mobilization:
- Lead fundraising efforts to secure additional financial support for WADF’s programs from international and African donors, governments, foundations, and private sector partners.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with donor agencies, international and regional institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure sustained funding and support for WADF’s initiatives.
- Identify new funding opportunities, including grant proposals and partnerships, to diversify the Fund's resource base.
- Financial Oversight and Budget Management:
- Oversee WADF’s financial management, including the preparation and monitoring of budgets, financial planning, and the allocation of resources across various projects.
- Ensure that WADF adheres to all financial regulations, reporting requirements of the donors as well as standards of accountability and transparency.
- Regularly review financial reports to ensure that the Fund’s financial health is maintained and any risks are mitigated.
- Advocacy and External Relations:
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for WADF, representing the Fund to external stakeholders such as governments, donors, civil society organizations, and the media.
- Advocate for democratic reforms, and good governance in the region, promoting WADF’s objectives at regional and international forums.
- Build strategic partnerships with key regional and international organizations working on democracy and governance.
- Staff Leadership and Organizational Development:
- Lead and manage the WADF team, providing mentorship, guidance, and support to ensure high performance and professional development.
- Foster a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Develop and implement systems for effective performance management.
- Steering Committee Relations:
- The Manager is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Steering Committee. S/he serves as the secretary to the Steering Committee and works closely with the Steering Committee to ensure that the strategic vision, policies, and priorities of the Fund are clearly defined and adhered to.
- Oversee the preparation of grant dockets for review by the Steering Committee.
- Provide the Steering Committee with regular updates and periodic reports on the Fund’s operations, program results, financial performance, and strategic initiatives.
- Assist the Steering Committee in the identification of new Steering Committee members with the appropriate skills and expertise.
8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL):
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- Oversee the development and implementation of WADF’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework, ensuring that outcomes and impact are systematically measured.
- Ensure that WADF continuously learns from its experiences and incorporates feedback to improve the effectiveness of its activities.
- Coordinate with partners to ensure that evaluations are conducted, and lessons learned are shared with stakeholders.
Qualifications:
- Education: At least a Master's degree in International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, or a related field.
- Experience:
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, democracy promotion, or governance, with a significant focus on West Africa.
- Experience in managing large funds and in grant making.
- Proven experience in managing large-scale programs related to democratic governance, human rights, electoral processes, and civil society strengthening.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and managing donor relations, including experience with international donors and foundations.
- Familiarity with the political, economic, and social contexts of West Africa and an understanding of the region’s governance challenges.
- Skills:
- Strong leadership and managerial skills, with the ability to inspire and lead a diverse team.
- Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and media relations.
- Solid financial management and budgeting skills, with experience in overseeing grant management.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to think strategically and implement solutions effectively.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with project management software.
Personal Characteristics:
- A deep commitment to the promotion of democracy, human rights, and good governance in West Africa.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities.
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter that clearly address their qualifications and relevant experience. Please send applications to wadf@trustafrica.org or https://trustafrica.bamboohr.com/careers/33 by midnight (Dakar time) on Friday, 22nd August 2025.
TrustAfrica is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.