The International Press Institute (IPI) is expanding our work to defend press freedom and independent media in Africa at a time when journalists on the continent face growing threats. This is an exciting and important time for us as we build up our work to monitor attacks on media and internet freedom across the continent; advocate for laws and policies that respect and enable media freedom, online expression, and privacy; and respond to the needs of at-risk journalists carrying out public-interest reporting, including on climate and environmental issues. This work includes a new programme to combat the legal harassment of journalists, or “lawfare”, by advocating for laws that respect fundamental rights to expression, information, and privacy.
To help us keep pace, we’re looking for a talented, dedicated, and ambitious programme manager to oversee the implementation of our growing donor-funded work in Africa. The Africa Programme Manager will work together with and support IPI’s Africa- and Vienna-based teams to ensure high-level, impactful implementation of our programmes and strategies to protect and promote press freedom and journalist safety in Africa as essential pillars of resilient democratic societies.
This individual will report to the IPI director of advocacy, and will work closely with the IPI programmes and finance teams.
The Africa Programme Manager will:
Program management
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Oversee the implementation of IPI’s donor-funded press freedom programmes in Africa, including a new programme intended to combat repressive cybercrime laws.
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Develop clear workflows to ensure timely and efficient management of tasks and responsibilities across the team.
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Coordinate the work of IPI’s Africa-based programme team (monitoring, advocacy, communications, journalism support) including management of workflows, division of responsibilities, and information sharing.
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Coordinate with external program partners, establishing clear workflows to ensure timely and efficient completion of deliverables.
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Monitor and support Africa-based programme team as well as external programme partners in the successful implementation of programmatic activities and outputs, ensuring that these reflect project aims; are on track to meet programme outcomes and objectives; and are in line with project timelines and budgets.
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Build and maintain strong programme management relationships with IPI external (civil society) partners.
Program operations
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Work closely with IPI and external partner programme teams to monitor compliance with contracts, project outlines, and donor rules regulations and guidelines, recommending and implementing necessary adjustments to project activities as required.
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Monitor and ensure efficient management and implementation of programme budgets, monitoring spending to ensure compliance with programme planning and aims and compliance with donor regulations and IPI’s financial policies.
Grant management
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Lead the grant reporting (narrative and financial) process in cooperation with Africa- and Vienna-based finance and programme teams.
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Coordinate internal project evaluations, including according to project M&E plans and guidelines.
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Coordinate external project evaluations and audits, ensuring timely and accurate submission of required documents. Work with management or project teams to address evaluation or audit findings.
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Maintain organized records of all project-related documentation, including grant agreements, reports, correspondence, and audit findings. Compile and maintain accurate project data and financial information.
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Support IPI Africa-related project funding proposals, including proposals for continuation of existing programmes.
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Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with donors and act as key point-of- contact.
A strong candidate for this position will:
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Have demonstrated program management experience, including with using project management tools and platforms.
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Have at least three to five years of experience managing (multi-partner) donor-funded projects, ideally projects based in Africa.
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Experience managing projects in the fields of media, freedom of expression, and internet freedom.
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Be process driven, capable of building and implementing operational structures in a fast-changing space, including deep experience with donor reporting and budget management.
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Be passionate about protecting and promoting press freedom, digital rights, journalist safety, and independent media in Africa.
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Bring ambition and drive to IPI’s expanding Africa programme, with a willingness to take on big tasks and help us to grow our impact at a time when press freedom faces growing threats.
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Bring a can-do attitude when faced with challenges and be proactive about suggesting solutions and alternatives when roadblocks arise
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Previous experience managing government-funded projects would be a significant plus.
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Be knowledgeable about the civil society landscape in Africa and, ideally, previous experience working directly with CSOs in Africa
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Have excellent organizational, time-management, and communication skills.
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Be able to manage multiple tasks, working with partners in different locations across Africa and globally.
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Have strong English writing skills.
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Be a strategic thinker with the ability to spot opportunities to grow IPI’s work in Africa.
IPI understands that qualified candidates come with a mix of valuable skills and experiences. We encourage interested candidates to apply even if you don’t meet all the exact criteria listed here.
Location and Term
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This position is envisioned to be based remotely in a country in sub-Saharan Africa.
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The start date for this position is October 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter. This position is based on the availability of project funds.
Remuneration
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Salary will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and location of hire.
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IPI remote team members are afforded 25 days of paid holiday per year.
Application Procedure
Apply by e-mail now. We will be interviewing shortlisted candidates as applications are received.
Applicants should provide the following:
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Cover letter should not be longer than two pages where you explain:
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why you are interested in the position
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what part of IPI’s work is most interesting or relevant to you
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your previous experience managing programs and people
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your experience in managing multi-partner grant-funded projects
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what skills, qualities and strengths you would bring to the position.
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Current CV, including the names and contact information of at least two professional references.
