Job Title: Senior Officer, Programmes
Location: Cameroon (Yaounde), Kenya (Nairobi), Senegal (Dakar), Zambia (Lusaka), Zimbabwe (Bulawayo), The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja), and Sierra Leone.
Contract Type: Six-month cover (Hybrid)
Timeline: January 2026
Job Summary:
The primary responsibility of a Regional Lead is to oversee the development of the organisation's programs within their assigned region. To organise, coordinate and manage programs and activities relevant to accomplishing the organisation’s strategic goals and objectives, as well as to establish networks with relevant stakeholders and build and manage Paradigm Initiative’s network in the region.
This includes project management, stakeholder management, project strategy, budget management and identification and monitoring of relevant policy developments within the scope of Paradigm Initiative's strategic focus.
Reporting To:
Senior Manager, Programmes
Roles and responsibilities:
Program Planning and Implementation
Team Focus: The Paradigm Initiative Programs team covers three areas: LIFE Legacy, Policy, and Capacity Building.
- Plan and design programs and events; proactively monitor their progress, resolve issues and initiate appropriate corrective action, where required
- Impact the organisation’s output by developing and interpreting initiatives and new trends in programme development.
- Provide advisory services to the Senior Programs Manager on contextual dimensions of program planning, implementation, development, and sustainability.
- Ensure adequate quality assurance and the overall integrity of the program, focusing inward on the internal consistency of the program and outward on its coherence, interface with other programs, and Paradigm Initiative’s community and advocacy work.
- Provide essential support services to the team regularly
- Provide regular updates of all planning processes, practices and program methodology
- Prepare, collect and collate all reports of completed programs and events
Administration
- Interpret the organisation’s program strategies and policies as applicable in your region.
- Develop and manage the administrative needs of the regional office in coordination with the Admin team.
- Assist in administering training for other support staff and team members
- Monitor and document policy development around digital inclusion and digital rights in your region
- Log complaints and problems associated with running the programs effectively
- Support the administrative team when the need arises
- Ensure timely completion of programs within set deadlines.
- Effectively use the organisation’s work tools, such as calendars, Smartsheet, and timesheets, to document project plans, schedules, and activities, as well as project reporting.
- Help unit members achieve at least 75% in performance evaluation measurements.
Resource Control and Financial Management
- Effectively manage tools and resources for program implementation
- Keep records of all financial transactions associated with program processes and completion
- Ensure proper management of all budgetary allocations for program management
- Send accurate monthly financial records to the Finance unit, ensuring compliance with approved budget limits.
- Collaboratively work with the team to ensure practical usage of resources
Research and Fundraising
- Research and develop materials and reports that outline the successful completion of programs
- Identify and collaborate with the Senior Programs Manager to contact potential funders for funding and explore other revenue streams for the programme.
- Collaborate with the Senior Programs Manager and the rest of the team to develop and submit grant applications.
- Develop a budget and operating plan for each program
- Contribute to the analysis and communication of key digital policy developments in your region by developing at least four (4) policy briefs and eight (8) blog posts every year
- Contribute to reports and research on Digital Policy developments
- Total research and activities output must have at least a 25% Digital Inclusion element to reflect the ongoing merger of PIN's program
Community Relations
- Identify, develop and promote partnerships with other external organisations.
- Manage communications with all stakeholders.
- Provide the communities with relevant information about PIN’s programs and events.
- Represent the organisation in key and strategic events pertinent to the organisation’s industry.
- Plan and conduct outreach activities to enhance and sustain existing and future networks with potential partners and funders
- Strengthen PIN’s networking with funders, foundations and other relevant organisations to develop grant-making and programmatic partnerships and collaborations.
- Promote the use of Paradigm Initiative tools such as RIPOTI and AYETA
Communications
- Identify communications opportunities and strategies to raise awareness about PIN.
- Document all programme activities in your region and work with the communications team to ensure visibility for them.
- Write periodic blog posts documenting project activities and interventions by Paradigm Initiative in your region.
- Maintain consistent communication with your team lead and the senior program manager on all program activities.
- Collaborate and communicate with other team members towards achieving program efficiency.
- Represent PIN at media engagements, interviews and other required media representation, communicating the organisation’s work, values and objectives through such opportunities.
Leadership
- Conceptualise and develop new programs/projects to support the strategic direction of the organisation.
- Creating and managing long-term goals.
- Develop an evaluation method to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement.
- Lead on writing program funding proposals to guarantee uninterrupted delivery of planned activities.
- Ensuring goals are met in areas including partners’ satisfaction, safety, quality, and team member performance.
- Implement and manage changes and interventions to ensure project goals are achieved.
- Meeting with stakeholders to make communication easy and transparent regarding project issues and decisions on services.
- Working closely with the senior manager, grants and strategy to ensure that project activities align with the organisation's strategic objectives and direction
Key Personal Indicators (KPIs)
- Regional Partnerships and Government Engagement
- Lead efforts to expand a diversified partner database by 10 consistent new partners every 6 months, ensuring representation across all countries of focus.
- Supervise quarterly updates to the stakeholder map for your region and ensure it informs engagement plans.
- Maintain active collaboration with at least 8 ICT-focused government agencies annually, with evidence of joint activities or communication.
- Strategic Litigation Oversight
- Supervise the identification and documentation of at least six litigation-worthy cases annually, using Ripoti, monitoring systems, and regional partnerships.
- Contribute to the annual review and improvement of the Litigation Strategy, using implementation data and case outcomes.
- Knowledge Production and Research Supervision
Oversee and contribute to the production of the following:
- 1 Digital Policy Digest article
- 1 report, book chapter, or academic research output
- 1 ACHPR/UN country shadow reports
- Monitoring, Report Coordination and Data Use
- Guide quarterly submissions to the digital rights monitoring dashboard.
- Ensure the Digital Rights Quarterly Report is submitted with robust data and regional perspectives.
- Build and maintain five external Ripoti partnerships annually, and supervise response coordination through regional leads.
- Advocacy, Influence and Representation
- Lead at least three policy engagements annually, through platforms like DREAM, Digital Rights Bill efforts, Digitalks, or film-related campaigns.
Represent PIN at three high-level digital rights events per year, with four engagements within your sub-region, emphasising thought leadership and strategic visibility.
- Fundraising and Strategy.
- Mentor junior programme staff, providing monthly feedback or guidance meetings and leading internal knowledge sessions.
Project, Financial and People Management
- Oversee at least two cross-cutting or multi-country projects annually, ensuring delivery, compliance, and impact.
- Draft budgets and submit timely, accurate financial records to Finance for all project-related activities under your supervision.
- Actively participate in recruitment, onboarding, and performance assessment of new programme team members.
Internal Communications and DRIF Engagement
- Submit at least five high-quality content inputs annually to the Communications team, showcasing the programme's impact.
- Take a leadership role in planning and implementing DRIF, especially for regional programme content or partner engagement.
Reporting
- Ensure 100% submission of accurate, complete, and timely reports for all activities you lead or support, including external representation and internal collaborations. Identify opportunities and lead or co-lead the submission of at least four grant applications per year, including budget development and proposal quality control.
- Ensure alignment between fundraising narratives and strategic program outcomes across regional or thematic areas.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- A degree in Development Studies, Law, Information Technology, Public Policy, or a related field; advanced degrees preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, advocacy, or digital literacy initiatives.
- Proven experience in policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement in Africa.
- Demonstrated expertise in implementing programs for marginalised groups.
Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies
- Ability to take initiative, work without supervision, and follow through on all tasks.
- Strong understanding of digital inclusion, digital rights, and ICT for development.
- Exceptional project management, budgeting, and reporting skills.
- Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills in English; proficiency in French is an advantage.
- Ability to establish partnerships and engage professionally with diverse stakeholders.
- Competence in research methods and familiarity with data analysis tools.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multicultural settings.
What We Offer
Annual gross salary of $21,000 - $25,000 (depending on experience)
Benefits include:
- Housing, transport, meals, utilities, communication and dependent allowances
- 13th-month salary (after confirmation)
- Paid vacation, training opportunities, and a staff loan scheme after confirmation
- Medical cover for staff, spouse, and up to 3 children
- Paid maternity and paternity leave
- Birthday and lunch allowance
How to Apply:
You can submit your application via
Only applications submitted through this link will be considered for review. The application closes on November 30th, 2025, but the position will be filled as soon as we find the right fit. If you are the right fit, do not delay sending your application.
Submitting multiple applications for this job opening may reduce your chances of being shortlisted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Paradigm Initiative is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
