Team Manager, Africa Regional Office (AfRO) at Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

Do you want to help make the world a better place with your ability to find opportunities for grant making and advocacy towards economic justice and climate action within the Africa Regional Office (AfRO)? We’re seeking a Team Manager to be based in Nairobi, Johannesburg, or Dakar to facilitate networking amongst AfRO’s Economic Justice and Climate Action Program partners. The position also provides support to AfRO and African foundation staff on economic justice and climate action priorities for the continent.

The Open Society Foundations (OSF) work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

AfRO works at the pan-African and international levels to advise and influence policy actors who have the power to advance or obstruct progress towards open society goals. We seek accountability and justice, economic justice and climate action, and regional integration. We advocate on issues of continental concern, working closely with team members in Dakar, Johannesburg, and Nairobi, as well as London and New York, with policy advocates in Brussels and Washington, D.C. For more information, click here.

As a Team Manager At Open Society, You Will

• Provide leadership, strategic advice, and technical capacity on economic justice and climate action in Africa, owning the development, implementation, and M&E of this pillar of work;
• Collaborate closely with AfRO and African foundation staff, other OSF entities, and external constituencies to develop AfRO’s pan-African strategies and work plans on related issues;
• Generate cutting-edge knowledge and conduct advocacy-oriented research;
• Build partnerships with academic institutions, activists, artists, and movements across Africa, and lead OSF’s engagement with these partners;
• Develop advocacy and campaign work externally (aimed at international, pan-African, and regional policy centres), and improve internal capacity for advocacy work;
• Promote staff growth, efficiency, and well-being through coaching and mentoring.

What We Are Looking For

• A senior economist with demonstrated knowledge of the African political economy and economic structural transformation issues, as well as an understanding of, and preferably linkages to, key actors and movements;
• Fifteen or more years of experience working at a senior level with proven ability to research and/or manage high-level economic policy work, preferably within a regional, pan-African, or international organisation;
• A pan-African perspective on economic justice and climate action issues including: development financing and regional integration debates; norms, policies, and practices on the continent; and labour rights and productivity in the context of subsistence agriculture, pastoralism, and informality;
• Fluency in English, including strong analytical and communication skills;
• A self-motivated worker with an ability to empower a team and coordinate within a matrix management system;
• Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and social justice;
• Commitment to listening and working with humility; ways of working that are respectful to all people; and that support space and voice for all diverse perspectives in our workplace.

Desirable, But Not Required

• Broad and deep contact base with African institutions and critical African governments;
• Proficiency in Arabic, French, and/or Portuguese would be an advantage.

What We Offer

• Ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite trainings and brown bag lunches with visiting experts;
• Top-notch benefits and perks designed for your well-being and a healthy work-life balance. With some variability according to location, this includes generous time off, flexible work arrangements, employer-paid health insurance, generous retirement savings plan, progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, sabbatical opportunities, and much more;
• A commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to bring their full self to work and make a positive impact on the world.

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV; we look forward to learning more about you.

Competitive rates of pay apply.