Start-Up Team Lead, Dakar, Senegal - Freelancer

Introducing Zinc Network

Zinc Network nurtures open societies and protects them from the threats of disinformation, violent extremism, and malign influence. We design and implement insight-driven programmes that encompass strategic communications, behavioural science, media development, and digital marketing.

We are headquartered in London with offices in Washington, D.C., and Warsaw with 80+ team members from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Zinc works with a broad range of governmental, NGO, and private sector clients, including the UK Home Office (HO); the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the U.S. Department of State (DOS); UN agencies and missions; and foundations.

Project Summary

This USAID-funded project, "Strengthening Information Integrity and Resilience (SIIR) in the Sahel," seeks to strengthen the resilience of local and regional information ecosystems across West Africa and the Sahel.

It focuses on three primary objectives:

(1) strengthening local information systems by supporting local actors working to improve information integrity in their national contexts;

(2) fostering regional collaboration by building networks and partnerships across the Sahel; and

(3) improving information integrity in offline and closed online platforms.

The project will prioritise local capacity strengthening, ensuring that the majority of resources are directed to local and regional actors, and will utilise adaptive management to respond to emerging challenges in the region.

Outline of the job

The Start-Up Lead will oversee the operational and technical start-up activities in Dakar, ensuring the timely establishment of project offices, staff mobilisation, legal and financial setups, and compliance with USAID requirements. Responsibilities include managing staff recruitment, engaging local lawyers for registration and HR matters, submitting key deliverables (e.g., work plans; branding and marking plan; monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan; quarterly reports), and coordinating the project launch. The Start-Up Lead will ensure the smooth implementation of start-up tasks, including preparing required documents and managing timelines to meet USAID’s expectations.

The Start-Up Team Lead role is a remote position with expected travel to Dakar for in-country start-up activities. This is a fixed-term contract for 4 months, with an anticipated start date in February 2025.

What you’ll be doing

- Represent Zinc at high-level meetings with clients and project partners, all while embodying the values of Zinc Network

- Oversee the operational start-up in Dakar, including the establishment of temporary and permanent project offices.

- Manage the recruitment process for all non-key staff positions on Zinc’s team. This would include posting job descriptions, conducting interviews, and facilitating the onboarding of new staff.

- Engage local lawyers to assist with registration, HR matters, and ensure compliance with local laws.

- Coordinate the submission of key technical and operational deliverables to the client, including the initial Annual Work Plan, Branding and Marking Plan, and MEL plan.

- Ensure timely submission of quarterly financial and performance reports to the client.

- Lead preparations for the project launch event and ensure alignment with client branding and communication strategies.

- Support the development and submission of gender analysis, security plans, and other required documents as per client guidelines.

- Ensure smooth communication and coordination between the project team, client, and other stakeholders during the start-up phase.

- Monitor and ensure adherence to project timelines, milestones, and client expectations throughout the start-up period.

- Coordinate work with the Environmental Consultant to produce an environmental and compliance plan.

What we need from you…

- Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, or related field is required.

- Minimum five years related experience in project financial and administrative management.

- Proven experience managing project start-up phases, including operations, recruitment, and systems setup for large, donor-funded projects.

- Ability to identify and mitigate risks during project start-up phases.

- Familiarity with project finance management, including budgets, financial controls, accounting, auditing, and reporting on accruals, pipelines, and expenses required.

- Knowledge of USAID policies and business practices, with direct experience managing finances and administration of USAID-funded projects.

- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and ensure smooth collaboration across departments.

- Ability to work effectively under pressure in a stressful environment with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

- Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse contexts, especially in West Africa and the Sahel.

- Proficiency in French and English are required. Proficiency in Arabic is a plus.

Area of Selection

We’re committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to apply to join our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to:

- Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking- related activities) or workplace investigation.

- Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting.

How to apply

Please submit your CV, highlighting the qualifications and requirements outlined in the job description.

If you require an accommodation to be made at any point throughout the recruitment process, please advise us when contacted.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.