Principal, Africa

ROLE   

Luminate is seeking an experienced professional with a commitment to healthy digital governance, tech accountability, and civic space engagement across the Africa region. The candidate will support the Africa team’s funding strategy across the region, with a specific focus on supporting organisations working in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.   

The preferred candidate will have professional experience with those whom Luminate seeks to serve, including civil society organisations, movements, and others serving activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and civic leaders, particularly those from marginalised groups including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and youth. 

This position will report to VP, Africa. The role requires an estimated 2-4 regional trips and 1-2 international trips annually. 

HOW TO APPLY  

To apply, click this link: https://app.beapplied.com/apply/txsc4q5gkt 

Our screening process requires candidates to respond to a handful of questions that provide perspective on how your skills would relate to the day-to-day job. Submissions will be anonymised, randomised and reviewed by a panel of reviewers from the hiring team. If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which includes formal interviews and meeting select members of the team.     

Applications are due by 21 MAY 2025, 11:59pm (WAT). 

RESPONSIBILITIES   

The Principal, Africa will develop and maintain a portfolio of grantees and deploy grant-making and ecosystem-building funds with a primary focus on Nigeria and support for other regional thematic work to include:   

• Scoping and building a pipeline of high impact opportunities relevant to Luminate’s goals in Africa,   


• Evaluating new grant opportunities by reviewing and analysing grant proposals, and organisation budgets, and conducting necessary diligence on prospects,  


• Conducting funding execution by taking shortlisted opportunities through the approval and closing process, including research and competitive analysis, definitive documentation, legal, strategic and financial due diligence   

Support partner organisations    

• Work closely with Luminate’s grantees on strategic and operational aspects to help them achieve their impact potential, including by engaging with Boards, co-investors, portfolio support consultants, etc.   


• Monitor the performance of the grantees periodically and propose portfolio support plans where relevant  
  

Engage with a broader external audience    

• Represent Luminate at appropriate meetings, conferences, and site visits as well as in all interactions with prospective and current grantees   


• Organise foundation-sponsored meetings of grantees and field experts   
  

Strategy, Learning & Impact   

• Alongside other team members, contribute to grant-making, learning, and evaluation plans for the portfolio;   


• Scope and execute research and other learning projects to deepen Luminate’s institutional knowledge around strategic priority themes   


• Contribute to Luminate’s institutional knowledge by sharing key learnings and providing feedback on similar themes/ opportunities across Luminate’s target countries/ regions.  

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS  

Note: we view this section as a guide, not a checklist. We encourage you to apply if you see a strong connection (not necessarily perfect) between you and the opportunity. 

• Several years professional experience in grant making roles or as part of a non-profit or similar organisation connected to Luminate’s strategic goals 


• Experience conducting advocacy work and engaging with diverse stakeholders - policymakers, civil society, and others in the tech governance and civic space protection sector is an added advantage   


• Commitment to making a difference in the governance and democracy space; good understanding of digital governance, tech accountability and civic space challenges in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa 


• Deep strategic and analytical skills – ability to evaluate proposed opportunities from multiple perspectives and have appreciation for analytical rigour and clarity  


• Good communication skills – excellent writing and presentation skills; ability to communicate succinctly and clearly 


• Good interpersonal skills – ability to work collaboratively with colleagues around the world   


• Lived experience working in Nigeria, Kenya or South Africa   


• Flexibility to travel, including internationally when required   


• A graduate degree highly preferred 

ABOUT LUMINATE   

Luminate is a global foundation working to ensure that everyone – especially those who are underrepresented - has the information, rights, and power to influence the decisions that shape society. The foundation is focused on enabling people to fully participate in civic and political life, to safely challenge power, and to access accurate, trustworthy information. It was established by philanthropists Pierre and Pam Omidyar and has worked for over a decade on issues related to governance and citizen engagement.   

IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW  

Luminate believes that diversity and inclusion make us more successful in our work, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or national law.