Vacancy: Director of Programs, Trust Africa

Suitably qualified individuals are invited to apply for a vacancy that has arisen at TrustAfrica.

Position Title: Director of Programs

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: All Program Staff & Consultants

Liaises with: All Staff

Job Location: Dakar, with regular international travel

Deadline for application: 30 May 2015

About TrustAfrica: TrustAfrica is an independent foundation that works to secure the conditions for democratic governance and equitable development on the continent. We work principally through collaboration and partnership with like-minded institutions and donors. Led by Africans, we convene agenda setting dialogues, catalyze ideas and provide grants and technical assistance to organizations working to advance these goals.

Purpose of the position: The goal of the Director of Programs is to manage the programs of TrustAfrica (convenings, grant- making, knowledge generation and provision of technical assistance).

Specific Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the Executive Director and in close collaboration with All Staff, the Director of Programs will:

1. Lead a team of Program Officers in the formulation and implementation of TrustAfrica projects.

2. Actively provide support to the Executive Director in fundraising and networking for TrustAfrica’s benefit.

3. Regularly convene key players from across Africa and the Diaspora to make recommendations for projects to support.

4. Evaluate grant proposals (including the capacity of potential grantee organizations) that emerge from convenings, and prepare grant recommendations for the Board of Trustees to award grants in support of projects and initiatives that meet the requirements of TrustAfrica.

5. Represent TrustAfrica at high level international and regional forums.

6. Together with other staff, communicate TrustAfrica’s mission and program priorities to appropriate audiences, including potential grantees, donors, governments, and the media.

7. Actively seek and implement program collaborations with other donor agencies in order to enhance TrustAfrica’s mission.

8. Contribute towards TrustAfrica’s ongoing knowledge generation efforts through own writing, technical assistance and strengthen new opportunities.

Qualifications and Skills

1. A good graduate degree (preferably at PhD level), and at least five years of successful grant-making experience at the international level.

2. Strong commitment to TrustAfrica’s core values of equity, transparency and integrity.

3. The position requires the following core competences:

• Strong analytical skills;

• Initiative and team leadership skills;

• Frequent contact with partners and consultants, and maintain strictly professional relationships with them;

• Willingness to travel frequently within and outside Africa;

• Strong oral and written communication skills and fluency in English and French;

• Sound judgment;

• Strong interpersonal skills, a helpful and personable attitude, an evident desire to assist staff and grantee-partners, and the ability to accept and act on constructive criticism;

• Careful attention to detail;

• Good computer skills;

• A strong knowledge of programming strategies;

• Ability to balance a large number of tasks, accurately set work priorities and meet deadlines, anticipate problems and show initiative in solving them.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit the following application materials in English: a cover letter, a detailed CV describing your professional experience, and contact information for three references.

Only complete applications will be considered.

Applications can be submitted to: [email][email protected]

Please include your telephone number and Skype in your cover letter and indicate the job title in the subject of your email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

TrustAfrica is an equal opportunity employer. Women and individuals from Africa and the diaspora are encouraged to apply.