The salary range for this position is equivalent to 100,000 – 120,000 USD.

Position Overview

The Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) works to advance a more equitable world by putting the rights and aspiration of people at the center of digital transformation. To that end, we connect people with evidence to design digital systems and tools that work for society through research, demonstrations, and policy advocacy. We collaborate with others to promote digital systems and governance approaches that maximize participation, agency, choice and trust, with a particular focus on effective data exchange systems and strong data governance.

Hosted by the United Nations Foundation, DIAL is a partnership among the world’s leading digital development champions, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Kingdom’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ), among others.

One of DIAL’s core missions is to enable policymakers across Africa to gain the knowledge and resources to safely unlock data to create more value for governments, markets, and people. We do this by conducting industry-leading, actionable research; developing tools to make designing and deploying foundational digital public infrastructure more efficient and effective; and creating opportunities for peer knowledge exchange and learning. This Senior Manager position will lead DIAL’s work to connect Africa policymakers and key non-governmental data policy stakeholders to data governance insights, innovations, and emerging best practices from across the continent and around the world.

More specifically, the Senior Manager will create connections and opportunities for peer learning through the design and coordination of curated policy roundtable discussions and events that both 1) respond to clear demand signals and, 2) are linked to the implementation of national, regional, or multilateral data strategies (e.g., the AU Data Policy Framework). This includes leading DIAL’s flagship peer learning network, the Africa Data Leadership Initiative (ADLI)–a partnership between DIAL, Smart Africa, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa–among other opportunities to support peer learning on data governance approaches centered on the rights and aspirations of people. The Senior Manager will play a key role in the broader data governance ecosystem by engaging with relevant stakeholders from national governments, international organizations, regional multilateral entities, the digital rights community, research networks, and the private technology sector. In addition to designing and delivering policy dialogues, the Senior Manager will as an external-facing champion of DIAL’s values and priorities, including those expressed in the Principles for Digital Development.

The Senior Manager will report to and be supervised by the Senior Director, Insights and Outreach for overall guidance, work planning, and performance reviews. The Senior Manager will also work in close coordination with the Country Engagement team as an integral part of DIAL’s efforts to strengthen the digital development ecosystem in Africa and will actively contribute to fostering meaningful partnerships and collaboration in the region.

This position is based in Africa, remote.

Essential Functions

Facilitate Peer Learning & Engagement

• Work closely with DIAL’s Lead Africa Consultant to develop and implement a peer learning framework. This will include evaluating the learning needs and preferences of DIAL stakeholders in the region, fostering and facilitating a collaborative learning environment.
• Provide leadership and manage day-to-day coordination of the ADLI peer network in partnership with anchor partners Smart Africa and UN Economic Commission for Africa, including designing and overseeing core ADLI roundtables and facilitating peer-to-peer engagement.
• Champion ADLI and other DIAL capacity building activities in Africa with data sharing/governance stakeholders.
• Facilitate workshops and training activities to further disseminate awareness and adoption of the Principles for Digital Development.
• Regularly assess the effectiveness of DIAL’s peer learning activities, gathering feedback from participants and adjusting the framework as needed to enhance learning outcomes and engagement.

Translate Insights to Impact

• Develop systems for capturing and sharing the key lessons and insights shared in DIAL’s policy roundtables while respecting the “safe space” model and non-attribution commitment core to building trust and fostering candor among peers.
• Deepen and/or establish linkages between DIAL peer learning activities and related efforts to strengthen data governance regimes in Africa.
• Seek opportunities to share DIAL’s perspective, and key lessons and insights from the policy roundtables in public and private events organized by DIAL partners.
• Document key insights and lessons for publication by DIAL and other outlets, both within Africa and globally, in the form of blogs, articles, and white papers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in sustainable development, public policy, or a related field preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in the digital/data realm with a focus on data policy and insights.
• Have an abiding curiosity and passion for the ways digital technology can accelerate inclusive socio-economic development and advance the rights and aspirations of all people.
• Strong networking and facilitation skills, including the knowledge and gravitas to work successfully with senior government officials.
• Demonstrate expertise and thought leadership on digital transformation and data policy issues, including digital public infrastructure and data governance.
• Have a strong professional network that includes people and organizations engaged in the formulation and implementation of data governance policy in Africa.
• Be familiar with various models of peer learning and other approaches to capacity building.
• Be comfortable working independently, managing multiple competing priorities, and being part of a team spread across time zones.
• Be fluent in English with excellent speaking and writing skills: able to convey complex information in a simple and compelling way that is targeted to its audience.
• Be a collaborative, positive colleague who respects diversity in all forms and enjoys being part of a small but scrappy, mission-driven organization.

#LI- Remote

Africa