PROGRAM MANAGER - CHARM AFRICA PROGRAM
🏢 The Organization
The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) is a leading pan-African feminist organization dedicated to advancing women's rights, leadership, and development across the continent. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where women from all backgrounds can thrive and lead transformative change in their communities.
🌍 Pan-African Reach
Network of 470+ member organizations across Africa with unparalleled continental coverage and established relationships essential for effective programming at scale.
✅ Proven Track Record
Successfully managed major grants from Packard Foundation, Foundation for a Just Society, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), USAID, and German Federal Ministry BMZ through GIZ.
🎯 Continental Expertise
Experience spans all four African regions with particular strength in Francophone countries while maintaining active programming in Anglophone and Lusophone contexts.
👩💼 Feminist Leadership
As a women-led organization with deep understanding of African feminist movements, RFLD brings credibility and trust essential for working with diverse feminist organizations.
👥 The Team
Our CHARM Africa Program team works collaboratively to implement the Nafasi: Strengthening African Civic Power initiative, a groundbreaking 5-year program funded by Sida to protect civic and digital space and democratic freedoms across sub-Saharan Africa.
As part of the CHARM consortium alongside Magamba Network and DefendDefenders, our team focuses specifically on advancing women's rights and feminist leadership within the broader human rights landscape.
We believe in the power of collective action and feminist solidarity. Our team creates an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, innovative approaches are encouraged, and every team member contributes to our shared vision of expanded civic freedoms and democratic participation for all.
🎯 The Role
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Program Manager to join our RFLD team and lead our organization's implementation of the CHARM Africa program. This is a strategic leadership position where you will be responsible for managing RFLD's substantial contribution to the Nafasi initiative while ensuring our feminist perspective and women's rights focus are effectively integrated throughout all program activities.
As Program Manager, you will work closely with our executive leadership, coordinate with CHARM consortium partners, and manage a diverse portfolio of grants and activities focused on protecting and expanding civic space for women and marginalized communities across Africa. You will be based in our Accra office and report directly to RFLD's Program Director.
This position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape continental programming that advances feminist leadership, protects women human rights defenders, and strengthens democratic freedoms across sub-Saharan Africa.
📋 Key Roles and Responsibilities
🎯 Strategic Program Leadership
- Lead RFLD's implementation of the CHARM Africa program, ensuring alignment with our feminist principles and organizational mission
- Develop and implement strategic work plans that advance women's leadership and civic participation across target countries
- Coordinate closely with CHARM consortium partners (Magamba Network and DefendDefenders) to ensure effective collaboration and complementarity
- Manage relationships with Sida and other key stakeholders, providing regular updates on progress and impact
💼 Grant and Partnership Management
- Oversee the management of the Sida grant allocation for RFLD, ensuring compliance with all donor requirements and reporting obligations
- Coordinate with RFLD's 470+ member organizations to identify partnership opportunities and facilitate their engagement in CHARM activities
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with regional and international organizations working on civic space and women's rights
- Support member organizations in accessing funding and capacity building opportunities through the program
⚙️ Program Implementation and Coordination
- Coordinate RFLD's participation in key CHARM initiatives including SafeSisters digital security fellowship, Advocacy Bootcamps, and Hub Connect network building
- Ensure gender equality and social inclusion approaches are integrated across all seven pathways of change in the CHARM program
- Support the implementation of safety and protection mechanisms for women human rights defenders, including emergency response protocols
- Facilitate capacity building programs for member organizations on advocacy, digital security, and civic engagement
📊 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
- Develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress against program outcomes and feminist indicators
- Prepare comprehensive narrative and financial reports for Sida and other stakeholders
- Facilitate learning and knowledge sharing between RFLD member organizations and CHARM consortium partners
- Document best practices and lessons learned to inform future programming and policy advocacy
🗣️ Advocacy and Policy Engagement
- Lead RFLD's engagement in continental and regional advocacy efforts to expand civic space and protect women's rights
- Coordinate with African Union, ECOWAS, and other regional bodies on policy development and implementation
- Support member organizations in developing advocacy strategies and engaging with national and local governments
- Represent RFLD at key conferences, meetings, and strategic forums related to civic space and women's rights
🎓 Your Experience
📚 Education & Experience
- Master's degree in international development, human rights, women's studies, political science, or related field
- Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in program management
- Demonstrated experience in feminist organizing and women's rights programming in African contexts
- Proven track record in managing large-scale grants from international donors, particularly Sida, EU, or similar institutional funders
🌟 Key Skills
- Experience working with civil society networks and membership organizations across multiple African countries
- Strong understanding of civic space issues, human rights advocacy, and democratic governance in sub-Saharan Africa
- Experience in consortium management and multi-stakeholder partnership coordination
- Demonstrated expertise in monitoring, evaluation, and results-based programming
✨ Other Attributes
💎 Our Values
At RFLD, we are guided by core feminist values that shape our approach to development and social change:
Recognizing our interconnectedness and commitment to collective liberation
Understanding that multiple forms of oppression intersect and must be addressed holistically
Ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in our work
Maintaining transparency and responsibility to the communities we serve
Embracing creative approaches to advance women's rights and social justice
🎁 Benefits
RFLD offers a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to supporting our team members' well-being and professional development:
💰 Financial Benefits
- Competitive salary aligned with international NGO standards
- Retirement savings contribution
- Professional development fund for training, conferences, and skill building
🏥 Health & Wellness
- Comprehensive health insurance coverage for employee and family
- Mental health and wellness support
- Regular team retreats and continental convenings
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
- Generous annual leave and flexible working arrangements
- Maternity/paternity leave and family support benefits
- Flexible working arrangements
📝 Application Process
Required Documents:
- Detailed CV (maximum 3 pages)
- Cover letter specifically addressing your fit for this position (2 pages maximum)
- Two professional references from recent positions
- Writing sample demonstrating analytical and communication skills
📧 How to Apply:
To apply send your application here: RECRUITMENT@RFLGD.ORG
Subject Line: Program Manager - CHARM Africa Program - [Your Name]
Job Requisition ID: B021241
Application Deadline: October 21, 2025
🌈 Inclusion Statement
RFLD is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from women, young professionals, LGBTI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and candidates from marginalized communities across Africa.
We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and enhance our impact. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
🌟 Why Join RFLD?
Continental Impact
Shape programming that reaches across Africa through our network of 470+ member organizations
Feminist Leadership
Work within a women-led organization that prioritizes feminist approaches to development and social change
Professional Growth
Access to extensive learning opportunities, conferences, and professional development within our global network
Meaningful Work
Contribute directly to expanding civic freedoms and protecting women human rights defenders across Africa
Collaborative Environment
Join a team that values collective decision-making, mutual support, and shared leadership
📋 Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of background checks and reference verification. Candidates may be required to provide additional documentation related to their experience working with donor-funded programs and civil society organizations.
