Programme Director – Africa Programme

Position description

The Royal Institute of International Affairs is an independent policy institute based in London. Our mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous, and just world through improvement in international relations.

The Africa Programme at Chatham House is a world-leading centre for independent policy research on individual states of Africa, their international relations, and the continent as a whole. It is one of the largest and most distinguished programmes at Chatham House. By working with the best researchers on African politics, the programme offers reliable and independent research that improves the quality of information disseminated globally.

We seek an established leader to build on the programme’s powerful reputation and the expertise of its core team and fellows to increase our influence and impact as the world’s attention on Africa is rising – on the potential of its people, its alliances, its resources and its conflicts. This is an outstanding opportunity for an authoritative, imaginative policy-oriented expert to be a key member of the institute and to develop and a lead a high-profile, high-impact research team.

We are an equal opportunity employer; we value diversity and do not discriminate based on protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch at [email protected].

Key Responsibilities

Strategy

• Work with the Africa team, the Director and the Research Directors of Chatham House to design the strategy of the Africa programme, focussing on key countries and regions of Africa and their relations worldwide.
• Design and produce policy relevant meetings and publications and coordinate with other programmes, departments and centres within Chatham House to enhance impact.
• Build and deliver a fundraising strategy for the programme, driving unrestricted funding where possible, ensuring the balance of income generation, impact and cost of delivery.
• Take responsibility for the profitability of the programme, raising revenue for it and controlling costs.
• Oversee programme finances and budget and ensure accountable performance.
• Act as an ambassador to elevate Chatham House’s and the programme’s profile.
• Inspire new ways of working, drive efficiencies and generate new ideas across the House.
• Advance our EDI strategy.

Delivery

• Lead the design and delivery of new projects and initiatives in collaboration across the programme and across Chatham House.
• Be accountable to the Director, relevant Research Director for quality control of convening and all research output, maintaining existing high standards and continuously improving quality across the programme and the house.
• Raise Chatham House’s profile through development of strong networks in relevant areas with policymakers, policy experts and the media, and ensuring projects gain publicity and visibility for activities and research through the website, social media, and other media channels.
• Lead and take prime responsibility for fundraising and for cost control to ensure the programme is financially sustainable.
• Collaborate closely with Chatham House’s central fundraising teams to support Chatham House’s financial security.
• Build and nurture partnerships with internal and external research stakeholders and funders.
• Establish and maintain the strategic relationships with experts, academia, businesses, governments and non-for-profit organisations to expand our reach, visibility and impact.

People

• Lead staff in line with our mission, values and competencies.
• Influence a positive working culture for colleagues, ensuring Chatham House standards of behaviours are shared and followed.
• Establish productive positive relationships across the institute.
• Drive collaboration between research programmes and non-research departments, delivering an institute wide approach to all work.

Personal Specification

Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience leading outstanding, policy relevant research on Africa related topics.
• An established profile and a track record of delivering high quality publications and activities.
• Substantial experience in senior management.
• A strong network of policy and funding contacts with a track record of successful fundraising.
• Established record of being able to successfully develop and motivate teams and get the best from staff.
• A proven ability to work collaboratively with other teams to coordinate, support and drive institute-wide goals and objectives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex ideas and messages clearly and concisely in written and spoken English.
• The ability to prioritise a wide range of tasks, deliver to tight deadlines and demonstrate excellent decision-making and judgement in project delivery.
• Understanding of practices relating to EDI and a commitment to implementing this throughout our research activities.
• French language competency an advantage.

Benefits 

Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (including public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.

Salary: Competitive salary. 

Contract: Full-time, Permanent.

Location: St James’s Square, London. Chatham House operates a hybrid working environment with team members expected to attend our stunning building typically three days a week. However, please note this role may require higher levels of in person attendance, travel within the UK and beyond and attendance of events and meetings out of hours.

Closing Date: Wednesday 7 May 2025, 23:59 BST. 

Application instructions

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