Senior Program Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Ghana, +2 more countries.

📋 Description

• Execute the Community Resources grantmaking strategy by taking into account community needs, opportunities, movement trends, and the regional geopolitical and cultural landscape.

• Evaluate regional and global trends to inform funding rationales and priorities.

• Collaborate with colleagues to design program activities that deliver substantial, scalable impact.

• Oversee, implement, and monitor the regional grant portfolio to ensure strategic and impactful alignment.

• Lead the annual grant planning process, identify and support grantees, assess proposals, and co-create funding rationales.

• Conduct financial and narrative assessments of organizations.

• Work collaboratively with Foundation teams to execute funding programs and objectives.

• Serve as an ambassador for regional knowledge and priorities, representing the Foundation both internally and externally.

• Establish, onboard, and nurture regional funding committees.

• Set agendas for committees and facilitate inclusive deliberations regarding funding.

• Integrate committee feedback into funding recommendations and decisions.

• Provide constructive feedback to applicants and grantees.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with communities, grantees, applicants, and partners throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Assist in conflict resolution and facilitate sensitive discussions.

• Support the organizational strengthening of grantee partners by connecting them with best practices and resources.

• Design and facilitate convenings, collaborations, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

• Engage with philanthropic spaces and leaders to enhance support for grantees.

• Monitor grantee progress through discussions, reports, and site visits.

• Review and authorize grant reports while providing guidance.

• Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities based on grantmaking data.

• Share insights and learnings with colleagues, committees, and movement partners.

• The Wikimedia Foundation operates Wikipedia and various other Wikimedia free knowledge initiatives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Strong understanding of trust-based philanthropy or community-focused grantmaking.

• Experience in participatory decision-making frameworks.

• Background in grantmaking, especially in an international context.

• Experience in nonprofit capacity building as a funder, consultant, or nonprofit leader.

• Excellent strategic and analytical abilities paired with creative problem-solving skills.

• Exceptional organizational skills and judgment; capable of prioritizing tasks, managing time and multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and ensuring attention to detail and accuracy.

• Proficiency in facilitating, motivating, coordinating, and supporting volunteer communities.

• Ability to navigate the complex and often contentious nature of free-thinking communities.

• Open and transparent communication style; capable of engaging publicly in a non-divisive manner.

• Experience in managing complex projects and stakeholders.

• Willingness to engage frequently across different time zones.

• Proven proficiency in English, both written and spoken, including public speaking and producing widely distributed written content.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

• Global perspective, with substantial experience living or working internationally.

• Ability to undertake 1–3 international trips annually, circumstances permitting.

• Preferred: experience with online communities, particularly within the free knowledge movement.

• Preferred: enthusiasm for or experience contributing to Wikipedia/Wikimedia projects.

• Additional language skills are considered an asset.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote-first organization.

• Compensation adjusted based on the country of hire for applicants outside the US.

• Commitment to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace.

• Disability accommodations available during the application process.

• Employer of Record hiring for non-US employees.