Call for applications: Pro Helvetia partnership facilitator in West and Central Africa

The successful applicant will work closely with the Pro Helvetia Johannesburg team to develop a modest initial portfolio of strategic projects and collaborations in key urban centres across the regions to open up new possibilities for Swiss contemporary arts to be presented during the 2021-22 period.

Who can apply?

Individuals from the following countries are eligible to apply:

• Senegal.
• Mali.
• Burkina Faso.
• Ivory Coast.
• Ghana.
• Benin.
• Togo.
• Nigeria.
• Cameroon.
• DRC.

Job requirements

Applicants should:

• Have a wide-ranging knowledge of the cultural field in West and Central Africa, coupled with specific disciplinary experience.
• Be familiar with the international (including European) art environment and strong cross-cultural sensibilities.
• Have excellent communication and networking skills. 
• Have substantial experience in the execution and management of arts and cultural projects, including financial administration (as a freelance cultural manager and/or within an organisational/institutional context).
• Be fluent in spoken and written French. 
• Have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and a hands-on work approach.
• Note that knowledge and experience of the Swiss art scene specifically will be an advantage but is not a requirement.

Key responsibilities

The successful applicant will be required to:

• Identify and map relevant networks and partners in West and Central Africa for engagement with the Swiss art scene, with consideration also given to already existing relationships (venues, festivals, biennales, museums, independent spaces, collectives, cultural/creative businesses, other platforms).
• Plan and facilitate an initial programme of online exchanges and research trips, involving relevant partners in the regions, and from Switzerland in both directions.
• Conceptualise and plan an initial set of joint projects and collaborations, involving partners from Switzerland and the regions.
• Provide technical support to partners in the region seeking to access Pro Helvetia funding to support the presentation of Swiss work in the regions.
• Provide input into the adjudication of proposals submitted by artists and partners from the regions. 
• Support the communication of Pro Helvetia’s mandate and work more generally in the regions.

Application process

• Applicants should submit a one-page motivating letter outlining their suitability for the role to applications@prohelvetia.ch, together with a CV and at least two contactable references. 
• Applicants should include the reference 'West & Central Africa Network/Programme Development position' in the subject line of their email. 

Remuneration

The successful applicant will be engaged within the framework of a consultancy contract with the payment of a monthly retainer, subject to the satisfactory implementation of plans against agreed results, deadlines and targets.  

The application deadline is 19 July 2020. 

For more information about this call, send an email to jgaylard@prohelvetia.org.za. 

View the original job posting here.