Program Manager, West Africa

About the Disability Rights Fund and the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund 

The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) supports the disability rights movement around the world by resourcing organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to advocate for equal rights and full participation in society. The Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF) is DRF’s sister organization, supporting advocacy for legislative change. DRF/DRAF currently work across Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean. The Funds are grounded in a participatory and gender transformative approach and follow grantmaking, technical assistance, and advocacy strategies to support OPDs to advance the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), including in implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Global Disability Summit commitments, and other key international frameworks.  

At DRF/DRAF, we believe our people are what make us great. Reflecting our values and participatory approach, persons with disabilities are leaders and decision makers at all levels of our organization – including our staff, Board, and Grantmaking Committee. We value teamwork and a supportive work environment. Our goal is to find individuals who are good at what they do and passionate about our mission.  

Position Summary 

The Program Manager will lead Holding Rights, Leading for Rights, an exciting new program that will support women with disabilities in West Africa to participate fully in society and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. This new program is funded by the US Department of State and will build upon DRF’s existing grantmaking, technical assistance, and advocacy support to OPDs in Nigeria and Ghana and a wider network of disability activists in the region. 

The position will: 1) manage all programmatic elements—grantmaking, advocacy, and technical assistance—in coordination with DRF team members focused on these strategies and in alignment with the activity plan and relevant organizational strategies; 2) oversee and contribute to the program’s reporting, compliance, and learning processes in coordination with DRF’s development, finance, and evaluation teams; and 3) facilitate effective coordination and communication among all internal stakeholders, grantees in West Africa, and other strategic partner organizations.  

This position will report to the Regional Head of Programs for Africa and work closely with other core internal teams. Hiring for this position is contingent on finalization and receipt of government funding related to this program. The ideal candidate will commit to this role through the end of December 2024. There may be an opportunity to extend the contract beyond this date if there is mutual interest. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

Project Management 

• Implement and refine existing programmatic strategies to advance the rights of women with disabilities in West Africa through DRF’s strategies for grantmaking, advocacy, and technical assistance and lenses of gender transformation and participation. 
• Provide oversight of program grantees, including supporting their questions and needs, conducting site visits, and noting any concerns through the appropriate internal channels. 
• Develop and manage quarterly operating plans and budgets in alignment with program goals and donor requirements. 
• Coordinate all internal project activities and organize regular project management meetings as needed to ensure effective implementation. 
• Monitor financial aspects of the program, including tracking expenditures against budget, reviewing invoices for accuracy and compliance, and regular forecasting of expenditures. 

Monitoring and Reporting 

• Support DRF’s Evaluation & Learning Director to reflect, gather metrics, identify learnings, and evaluate the program’s goals.  
• Provide regular notifications, proactive communication, and reports to DRF’s internal stakeholders and to the program’s primary donor (Bureau of Democracy, Rights and Labor at US Department of State). 
• Track project deliverables, monitor progress, and identify gaps that need to be addressed. 
• Draft progress reports containing descriptions of actual versus planned progress, problems encountered and their solutions, and comments on the quality of work.  
• Assist in documenting case studies and other communications products for the project, as needed. 
• Identify issues or potential risks, including project performance, financial, and compliance. Develop plans and strategies to address those risks in consultation with other DRF staff. 

Networking and Coordination 

• Coordinate roles and responsibilities in communication with DRF team members and delegate accordingly. 
• Build and nurture relationships with program grantees and relevant partners, including US government missions in West Africa. 
• Liaise with grantees and review deliverables to ensure they meet technical and quality standards.  
• Prepare and deliver donor reports as well as presentations for diverse groups of stakeholders. 
• Develop and maintain an effective internal communication system that allows all stakeholders to be informed of the project. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Capabilities 

The ideal candidate is an experienced disability rights advocate who is based in West Africa and has strong networks, a commitment to gender justice, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by women with disabilities. The candidate must also have experience managing programs funded by bilateral donors.  

• Deep knowledge and understanding of the disability rights context in West Africa, and specifically Ghana and/or Nigeria, and based in one of these two countries. 
• Knowledge of international and regional mechanisms related to disability rights, women’s rights, and human rights (e.g., Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, African Disability Protocol, Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, Universal Periodic Review, Maputo Protocol).  
• Strong relationships with feminist and women’s rights organizations, movements, and networks. 
• Experience in managing and reporting on programs funded by bilateral donors, preferably the US government. 
• Prior experience in strategic project management is a must, and in grantmaking is preferred.  
• Experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning processes, including an appreciation for why these matter. 
• Experience working in or with organizations of persons with disabilities to advance human rights.  
• Ability to work in inclusive and accessible ways to ensure meaningful and active engagement with diverse persons with disabilities. 
• Political and cultural awareness, and experience navigating security risks. 
• Willingness and ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a diverse and virtual work environment in an inclusive, multicultural, and global organization.  
• Demonstrated initiative to work independently and learn new skills, resourcefulness in problem solving, and collaborate productively on teams. 
• English fluency, including the ability to prepare written reports in English that are clear, concise, and meaningful is a must. Proficiency in French or a local language is a plus.  
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and word processing abilities. 
• Willingness to travel up to 50%. 

Salary & Benefits 

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) position. The salary will start at $60,000 UDF. DRF offers excellent benefits (health, vision, dental, life insurance, retirement plan contributions), and generous time off policies, as well as a commitment to professional development and growth. Salary and benefits may be adjusted based on requirements of the locality in which the selected candidate is located. 

Location 

DRF operates primarily as an e-office with headquarters in Boston, MA USA. Preference for this position is the West Africa region; otherwise, you must have the ability to work independently in a remote environment and travel to Boston at least twice per year. Additional international and domestic travel will also be needed. The structure of the employment agreement will be determined by the geographical location and work authorization of the successful applicant. 

How To Apply 

Please email a cover letter and resume to Katiya Sakala, Regional Head of Programs – Africa, at jobs@disabilityrightsfund.org with subject line “Program Manager Application”. Due to the volume of applications typically received, we can only reply to shortlisted candidates.  

The Disability Rights Fund is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to build a diverse team. Applicants shall not be discriminated against on any basis. Individuals from historically marginalized identities including Black, Indigenous, and people of color and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

Deadline 

The deadline to apply is September 25, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.