Reports to: Head of Programmes and Operations
Engagement: Full-time
Location: Remote / Accra, Ghana

1. Role Purpose
The Institutional Partnerships Officer (IPO) supports Foreign Africa’s efforts to build, strengthen, and sustain strategic relationships with institutions across Africa and internationally. The Officer identifies prospective partners, conducts background research, coordinates external engagements, and helps manage relationships with universities, diplomatic missions, development organisations, foundations, civil society organisations, private-sector bodies, think tanks and other mission-aligned organisations. The role combines research, relationship intelligence and partnership coordination to help move collaborations from first contact to substantive joint work.

2. Key Responsibilities
A. Partnership Development
● Identify and map organisations that align with Foreign Africa’s strategic priorities and programmes.
● Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective partners.
● Support targeted outreach to potential partners across Africa and internationally.
● Identify opportunities for joint programmes, research, events, capacity-building and knowledge exchange.
● Assess prospective partnerships for strategic relevance, feasibility and value.
● Support the conversion of initial contact into structured, sustainable partnerships.

B. Research and Relationship Intelligence
● Conduct background research and prepare profiles of prospective partner organisations.
● Monitor relevant funding and collaboration opportunities.
● Analyse the priorities and areas of expertise of prospective partners to identify mutual interest.
● Prepare briefing notes ahead of key meetings and engagements.
● Maintain awareness of developments within Foreign Africa’s priority sectors and networks.

C. External Engagement and Relationship Management
● Support the coordination of meetings, visits and partnership discussions.
● Maintain regular communication and follow-up with existing and prospective partners.
● Track discussions, commitments, agreed actions and milestones.
● Maintain an organised contacts and partnerships database.
● Represent Foreign Africa in selected meetings when authorised.
● Support continuity so that partnerships are not dependent on a single point of contact.

D. Partnership Design and Documentation
● Contribute to partnership proposals, concept notes, letters of interest and formal correspondence.
● Support the development and review of Memoranda of Understanding and partnership frameworks.
● Coordinate internally with programme, research and communications colleagues on partnership initiatives.
● Monitor agreed partnership activities and support periodic reporting on implementation.

E. Research and Knowledge Contribution
● Contribute to selected research, policy analysis and knowledge products.
● Support research that strengthens partnership development.
● Contribute to policy briefs, reports and other publications where appropriate.
● Translate relevant research findings into opportunities for external collaboration.

F. Internal Coordination and Reporting
● Coordinate with research, programmes, communications and leadership teams to ensure commitments are followed through internally.
● Provide periodic updates on the partnership pipeline, including progress, opportunities and outstanding actions.
● Escalate significant opportunities, risks or decisions requiring executive attention.
● Support record-keeping and continuity across partner engagements.

3. Expected Outputs
The Officer will be assessed primarily on conversion and follow-through, rather than the number of contacts generated.
● Updated partnership pipeline.
● Partner mapping and background intelligence.
● Timely post-meeting follow-ups.
● Partnership briefs and concept notes.
● Defined collaborative workstreams.
● Proper documentation of partner engagements.
● Progression of priority relationships toward measurable outputs.

4. Required Profile
Essential
● Bachelor’s degree in communications, international relations, law, development studies or a related field.
● A minimum of 3 years’ relevant professional experience in partnerships, external relations, research or programme coordination.
● Strong research and analytical ability.
● Excellent professional writing.
● High level of organisation and attention to detail.
● Ability to manage professional relationships with discretion and sound judgement.
● Understanding of African policy, diplomacy, development or international affairs.
● Strong follow-through and reliability.
● Fluency in English, written and spoken.

Desirable
● Master’s degree in a related field.
● Prior experience working with universities, diplomatic missions, development organisations, or think tanks.
● Experience with CRM or contact-management tools.
● Additional working proficiency in French, Portuguese or Arabic.
● Demonstrated commitment to Foreign Africa’s continental mission.

5. Key Performance Indicators 
● Quality and strategic relevance of organisations identified and engaged.
● Timeliness and consistency of follow-up.
● Progression of relationships through the partnership pipeline.
● Number and quality of opportunities converted into defined workstreams or joint outputs.
● Quality of research, briefing materials and partnership documentation.
● Accuracy and currency of the partnerships database and engagement records.
● Contribution to Foreign Africa’s research and knowledge outputs.
● Effectiveness of coordination between external partners and internal teams.

6. Delegated Authority
The IPO may represent Foreign Africa in meetings and correspondence within assigned responsibilities and as authorised by the Head of Global Engagement.
The Officer will not independently commit Foreign Africa to financial obligations, formal partnerships, Memoranda of Understanding, contractual arrangements or other major commitments without appropriate executive approval.

7. How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter to info@foreignafrica.org, addressed to the Head of Programmes and Operations, Headquarters, outlining relevant experience and motivation for the role.
Applications close on 18 September 2026. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

8. Equal Opportunity
Foreign Africa is an equal opportunity employer.
We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, or other status.
We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the continent we work across.