National Coordinator: Empowering Open Knowledge in Nigeria at Wikimedia Foundation

In an era where digital information shapes global perspectives, ensuring that Nigeria’s rich history, culture, and diverse voices are accurately represented online is more critical than ever. This leadership role at the Wikimedia Foundation is fundamental to bridging the digital knowledge gap and democratizing information access across the federation. By coordinating the national funding landscape, you will empower local creators and educators to document the Nigerian story for a global audience, fostering a more inclusive and representative internet.

Job Summary

The Nigeria National Coordinator is the strategic lead responsible for overseeing the growth, transparency, and impact of the Nigeria National Funding Program. In this role, you will act as a bridge between the global foundation and local grassroots movements, managing the financial and operational frameworks that allow free knowledge projects to flourish. Your work will ensure that grants are distributed equitably and that every funded initiative contributes meaningfully to the global sum of human knowledge.

Why This Role is Important

Nigeria represents one of the fastest-growing communities in the open-knowledge movement, yet many stories remain untold or underrepresented. As the National Coordinator, you are the custodian of the resources that make these stories possible. By ensuring financial integrity and providing strategic guidance to grantees, you protect the sustainability of the movement and ensure that knowledge remains free, accessible, and locally relevant for millions of Nigerians.

Key Responsibilities

Programmatic Strategy & Oversight

• Lead the comprehensive planning, execution, and iterative improvement of the Nigeria National Funding Program.
• Monitor the lifecycle of various grants, ensuring that all projects align with Wikimedia’s core mission of free and open information.
• Conduct regular reviews of project milestones to ensure national initiatives are meeting their intended impact goals.

Partnership & Community Engagement

• Cultivate and maintain high-level relationships with institutional partners, academic bodies, and local community groups.
• Drive inclusive participation across Nigeria’s diverse regions, ensuring that language and regional barriers do not hinder community involvement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing.

Compliance & Financial Stewardship

• Enforce strict adherence to transparency standards, overseeing both narrative and financial reporting for all funded entities.
• Provide technical assistance to grant applicants, helping them navigate the complexities of proposal writing and budgeting.
• Analyze financial data to ensure optimal resource allocation and prevent mismanagement of program funds.

Essential Qualifications & Skills

• Educational Background: A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BSc/HND) in Humanities, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field.
• Professional Experience: 5 to 10 years of proven experience in NGO management, grant coordination, or large-scale community program leadership.
• Reporting Expertise: Advanced proficiency in financial oversight and the ability to synthesize complex data into clear narrative reports.
• Cultural Intelligence: A deep understanding of the Nigerian socio-political landscape and experience working with diverse ethnic and linguistic groups.
• Communication Mastery: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to manage complex relationships across international borders.

Benefits of Joining the Movement

• Global Impact: Work at the forefront of the world’s largest collaborative knowledge project.
• Autonomy & Leadership: Shape the future of how knowledge is funded and shared within Africa’s most populous nation.
• Flexible Environment: Join a mission-driven team that values diversity, open communication, and work-life balance.

Salary & Compensation

Monthly Salary: ₦750,000 – ₦1,000,000

(Commensurate with experience and  background)

About the Organization

The Wikimedia Foundation is the global non-profit dedicated to supporting Wikipedia and its sister projects, ensuring that knowledge remains a free public good. We operate on the revolutionary belief that every human being should have the power to contribute to and access the sum of all knowledge without barriers. By providing the essential infrastructure and funding for open-source information, we support a global community of volunteers who build and maintain the internet’s most trusted reference points. Our work is guided by the principles of neutrality, transparency, and a commitment to radical inclusion in the digital sphere.

Application Details

• Location: Lagos, Nigeria
• Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
• How to Apply: Interested and qualified professionals should submit their updated CV to [email protected].

  Note: Please use “Coordinator, Nigeria National Coordinator” as the specific subject line of your email.

Tips for Applicants

1. Highlight Your Grant Experience: Since this role focuses on the “National Funding Program,” emphasize your experience in managing budgets and ensuring grantee compliance.
2. Demonstrate Community Building: Share specific examples of how you have previously grown a community or managed diverse stakeholders in a non-profit setting.
3. Align with the Mission: Familiarize yourself with the Wikimedia “Movement Strategy” and reflect those values of decentralization and inclusivity in your application.