Democracy & Capacity Development Manager at Africa Leadership Foundation

ROLE SUMMARY:

• The Democracy & Capacity Development Manager provides technical and programmatic leadership for CDCD’s work across government institutions, civil society organisations, and international development programmes. The role supports democratic governance reforms, strengthens institutional capacity, and leads high-impact initiatives in partnership with national, regional, and development stakeholders; working closely with the Executive Director to drive evidence-based advocacy and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
• The Democracy and Capacity Development Manager plays a critical role in promoting democratic values, strengthening institutions, and building capacity for sustainable development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support democratic processes, institutions, and principles in various contexts.
• Design and implement capacity development programmes for government institutions, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
• Promote good governance practices, transparency, and accountability.
• Build relationships with government officials, civil society leaders, and other stakeholders to promote democratic values.
• Manage programmes and projects focused on democracy, governance, and capacity development.
• Identify funding opportunities, lead proposal development, and support fundraising efforts for CDCD projects.
• Conduct governance assessments, research, and policy analysis to inform evidence-based reforms.
• Produce policy briefs, reports, and thought leadership publications under CDCD.
• Contribute to annual work plans, programme budgets, performance reports, and ALF’s quarterly research outputs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Law and Diplomacy, Development Studies, Peace and Security Studies, Sociology, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in governance, democracy, public policy, or related fields, with at least 3 years in a senior advisory or programme leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in Democracy and Governance, with strong understanding of governance systems, democratic principles, and capacity-building methodologies.
• Proven experience managing programmes and donor-funded projects in development or governance contexts.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse actors, including government, civil society, and development partners.
• Excellent analytical and writing abilities, including experience producing policy briefs, technical reports, research papers, and assessments.
• Track record of securing funding, including grant writing, proposal development, and other fundraising initiatives.
• Effective communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills, with experience leading high-level dialogues, trainings, and engagements.
• Experience working with government institutions, civil society organisations, and/or international development agencies.
• Ability to operate in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments with professionalism, integrity, and sound judgement.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• Strong problem-solving, diplomacy, and strategic thinking skills.