Position: Director, Ghana and Anglophone West Africa
Location: Accra, Ghana
Department: Programmes
Reports to: Senior Director, West Africa
Direct Reports: Ghana country and corridor team
Job Summary This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, results-driven, and politically astute leader to drive regional trade and development initiatives across Ghana and Anglophone West Africa. The Director will lead the implementation and growth of programmes supporting regional trade integration, with a particular focus on initiatives under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), ECOWAS, and UEMOA frameworks. The role will oversee programming in Ghana and across Anglophone West Africa while working closely with regional corridor programmes and strategic partners to deliver sustainable economic and trade outcomes.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, managing a high-performing team, strengthening stakeholder relationships, driving new business development and fundraising, and ensuring effective programme delivery and organisational representation across the region.
The role requires a high degree of autonomy, leadership, and strategic vision, as well as the ability to engage effectively with governments, development partners, regional institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
Key Responsibilities Programme Development and Delivery (30%)
- Lead the development and implementation of regional trade programmes across Ghana and Anglophone West Africa.
- Identify and develop new strategic opportunities and programming areas to expand the regional portfolio.
- Build trusted relationships with development partners and clients to secure donor investment and support programme growth.
- Implement existing programmes supporting regional trade facilitation initiatives and ensure delivery in accordance with funding agreements, policies, and procedures.
- Ensure effective programme cycle management, including project design, procurement, contract management, and programme implementation.
- Establish and maintain strong risk management practices and ensure compliance with organisational regulations and operational procedures.
- Ensure robust financial management and effective control of programme expenditure.
- Promote a culture of integrity, maintaining zero tolerance for fraud, bribery, and corruption.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies and promptly report safeguarding concerns.
- Deliver high-quality financial, programme, and results reporting through corporate dashboards, KPIs, and monitoring frameworks.
- Integrate cross-cutting priorities, including gender, poverty, safeguards, extractives, and climate change, into programme implementation.
Strategy Delivery (20%)
- Lead the development and implementation of operational and business strategies for West Africa programming.
- Collaborate with senior management and technical teams to deliver agreed results and ensure effective coordination with development partners.
- Develop business plans and financial plans to support programme implementation and growth.
- Prepare Project Appraisal Reports (PARs) and associated documentation for approval by governance bodies.
- Contribute to organisational strategy development and promote cross-regional learning and knowledge sharing.
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development (25%)
- Lead strategic analysis, portfolio reviews, and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with governments, regional organisations, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organisations.
- Represent the organisation in strategic forums, public events, and high-level engagements related to regional trade integration and development.
- Foster effective coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders to advance programme objectives.
- Promote local procurement and support the development of African service provider capacity.
Team Leadership and Management (10%)
- Recruit, develop, and manage a high-performing regional team.
- Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and performance management to ensure delivery of programme objectives.
- Foster strong collaboration and integration between countries and trade corridors across West Africa.
- Promote a high-performance culture and ensure effective utilisation of human and financial resources.
Governance and Oversight (10%)
- Maintain effective governance mechanisms and oversight structures for regional programming.
- Collaborate with development partners and stakeholders to ensure strong programme oversight.
- Support governance bodies through the preparation of high-quality papers, reports, and strategic documentation.
Qualifications and Experience Education
- Master’s degree in Economics, International Trade, International Development, Public Policy, Business Administration, Planning, Finance, Management, or another relevant discipline.
Professional Experience
- Postgraduate degree holders: minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience.
- Undergraduate degree holders: minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership and management experience.
- Demonstrated experience in trade facilitation, regional integration, infrastructure development, private sector development, or economic development.
- Proven experience in programme cycle management, programme delivery, donor management, and fundraising.
- Minimum 3 years of senior-level experience working in West Africa or other developing economies.
- Strong experience in new business development and resource mobilisation.
- Experience engaging with governments, development partners, regional institutions, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
Required Skills and Competencies Essential
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to design and deliver complex programmes.
- Excellent political acumen, networking, and influencing skills.
- Strong knowledge of AfCFTA, trade facilitation, and regional integration in West Africa and across Africa.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and French.
- Proven leadership and people management skills with a track record of delivering results.
- Strong stakeholder management and partnership-building capabilities.
- Excellent decision-making, analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.
Desirable
- Experience in financial management, grant management, or risk assessment within a development organisation.
- Knowledge of development finance and donor-funded programming.
Languages
- Fluency in English and French, both written and spoken, is essential.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic and politically astute.
- Results-oriented and entrepreneurial.
- Collaborative and relationship-driven.
- Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
- Highly organised and resilient.
- Demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, and accountability.
How to apply
Please submit your CV in English via https://tma-jobs.bidnexus.ai/jobs/1/director-ghana-and-anglophone-west-africa.
Deadline: 9th of July, 2026
If you encounter challenges when applying online, please contact:
[email protected] for assistance.
Due to the high volume of applications received, we can reply only to shortlisted candidates. Please note that the above requirements may be modified during the recruitment process in accordance with the client’s procedures.
More Information
- Job City Ghana
