Senior Program Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa

Wikimedia Foundation

. Implement the Community Resources grantmaking strategy considering community needs, opportunities, movement trends, and regional geopolitical and cultural context .

Posted 10/14/2026full-timeRemote • Ghana, Kenya, South AfricaSenior💰 $85,761 - $130,513 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in community-based grantmaking and trust-based philanthropy, with strong strategic and analytical skills to manage high-complexity projects. Proven ability to build relationships, facilitate inclusive discussions, and support nonprofit capacity building in diverse, international contexts.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Community-Based GrantmakingParticipatory Decision-MakingNonprofit Capacity BuildingStrategic and Analytical SkillsEnglish Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Grant ManagementFinancial AssessmentsOrganizational AssessmentsProject ManagementData Analysis

Soft Skills

Open CommunicationCreative Problem-SolvingFacilitation SkillsRelationship BuildingConflict Resolution

Industry Keywords

Trust-Based PhilanthropyEquity and InclusionInternational GrantmakingFree Knowledge MovementCommunity Engagement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Implement the Community Resources grantmaking strategy considering community needs, opportunities, movement trends, and regional geopolitical and cultural context
Analyze regional and global patterns to shape funding rationales and priorities
Design program activities with colleagues to achieve significant, scalable impact
Manage, implement, and monitor the regional grant portfolio for strategic and impact alignment
Lead annual grant planning, identify and support grantees, review proposals, and co-develop funding rationales
Conduct financial and narrative organizational assessments
Collaborate across Foundation teams to implement funding programs and objectives
Represent the Foundation internally and externally as an ambassador for regional knowledge and priorities
Build, onboard, and develop regional funding committees
Set committee agendas and facilitate inclusive funding deliberations
Synthesize committee feedback into funding recommendations and decisions
Provide feedback to applicants and grantees
Build and sustain relationships with communities, grantees, applicants, and partners across Sub-Saharan Africa
Support conflict resolution and sensitive discussions
Support organizational strengthening of grantee partners and connect them with best practices and resources
Design and support convenings, collaborations, and knowledge sharing
Engage philanthropic spaces and leaders to strengthen grantee support
Review grantee progress through conversations, reports, and site visits
Review and approve grant reports and provide guidance
Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities from grantmaking data
Share learnings with colleagues, committees, and movement partners
The Wikimedia Foundation operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects

Requirements

What you’ll need

Solid knowledge of trust-based philanthropy or community-based grantmaking
Experience in participatory decision-making structures
Experience in grantmaking, particularly in an international context
Experience in nonprofit capacity building as a funder, consultant, or nonprofit leader
Strong strategic and analytical skills and creative problem-solving ability
Excellent organizational skills and judgment; ability to prioritize work, manage time and multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail and accuracy
Skills in facilitating, motivating, coordinating, and supporting volunteer communities
Ability to negotiate the chaotic and contentious nature of free-thinking communities
Open and transparent communication style; ability to engage publicly in a non-polarizing way
Experience managing high-complexity projects and stakeholders
Willingness to accommodate frequent interactions across time zones
Proven English proficiency in written and spoken communication, including public speaking and producing widely distributed written material
Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity
Global perspective, with significant experience living or working internationally
Ability to make 1–3 international trips each year when circumstances allow
Preferred: experience working with online communities, particularly in the free knowledge movement
Preferred: passion for or experience contributing to Wikipedia/Wikimedia projects
Additional language proficiency is an added value

Benefits

Comp & perks

Remote-first organization
Compensation adjusted to country of hire for applicants outside the US
Equal opportunity and inclusive workplace
Disability accommodations during the application process
Employer of Record hiring for non-US employees