Programme Manager - West Africa Observatory

Application Deadline : 30 October 2026 - 17:00 CET

Location : Ghana

Language : English and French 

Contract Duration : One year with possibility of renewal

Background 

The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) is an independent civil society organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in Austria, South Africa, Colombia and Malta, and a globally dispersed Secretariat working in around 40 countries.

GI-TOC comprises a network of more than 708 independent global and regional experts working on human rights, democracy, governance, and development issues where organized crime has become increasingly pertinent. GI-TOC provides a platform to promote greater debate and innovative approaches as the building blocks to an inclusive global strategy against organized crime. GI-TOC commissions and shares research globally; curates a robust resource library of 2,000 reports and tools specific to organized crime; and uses its convening power to unite both the private and public sectors against organized crime.

Job Summary 

The GI-TOC is looking for a Programme Manager for the West Africa Observatory.  Programme Managers work as part of multi-functional teams to support the delivery of GI-TOC activities in an effective and efficient way, in line with established policies, guidelines and norms.  The Programme Manager will work under the direction of, and in close coordination with the Director of the West Africa Observatory, the grant management team and other finance and core support teams.

Main responsibilities and specific tasks

• Work closely with the Director of the West Africa Observatory to ensure smooth management of projects, whilst demonstrating independence, initiative and accountability in planning, implementing and tracking the work of the West African Observatory team.
• Provide support in managing the implementation of projects under responsibility in a timely, efficient and effective way.
• Ensure timely and accurate management of invoices and payments to suppliers and consultants.
• Ensure procurement documentation is completed as per GI-TOC policies and procedures.
• Manage project budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources.
• Coordinate and get input from the West Africa Observatory team for the narrative reporting of projects.
• Arrange project meetings and events – virtual and in-person.
• Support and arrange travel for staff, consultants and external contributors ensuring respecting the GI-TOC travel policy. 
• Support the development of a strategy for the team, including the analysis of functional data, understanding its implications and making recommendations for actions, encouraging efficiency.
• Liaise between team members and grant liaisons to ensure effective and efficient delivery of project activities in line with the procedures and audit requirements of the funders and GI-TOC.
• Support efforts to ensure the sustainability of the project team through identifying and evaluating new funding opportunities, supporting the preparation of new project proposals and concept notes, and making every effort to ensure the extension and renewal of existing funding.
• Support other GI-TOC initiatives and projects, including support for major conferences, events and other engagements as required.
• Support training of new team members in basic functional processes and reporting tools.
• Provide training and mentorship, when relevant, to local civil society organizations affiliated to the Observatory, on project management, donor reporting, etc.
• Office Establishment and Registration: Assist with the establishment and registration of a local presence in Ghana, should the organisation decide to pursue this in the future, including supporting any related administrative and regulatory requirements.

Specific Initiatives 

The Programme Manager will work as part of the West Africa Observatory, and under the direction of, and in close coordination with the Director of the Observatory, to manage the projects that support the Observatory.

Requisite Skills & Experience 

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following experience and skills :

• A degree in business administration/project management preferred
• 5+ years of professional experience in administration or project management
• Advanced budget management and financial forecasting skills
• Fluent in English and French.
• Proficiency in using the latest Microsoft software especially MS Word and MS Excel
• Good communication skills and a team player
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills with a problem-solving attitude
• Proactive and ability to think ahead
• Motivated and enthusiastic to work in a fast-paced environment

GI-TOC operates a flexible working environment and encourages staff to achieve a suitable work life balance and supports professional development and learning. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The Global Initiatives makes use of BambooHR's ATS system to receive and review your application.  All correspondence related to your application will be sent via our domain globalinitiative.bamboohr.com.