Programme Assistant - Digital Futures

About the role

Sightsavers and Mastercard Foundation are running Digital Futures, an initiative under the Foundation's Young Africa Works strategy and Sightsavers' mission to promote inclusive development. It aims to improve access to dignified and fulfilling work for young people with disabilities across Africa, with a strong focus on young women. As Programme Assistant you will provide administrative, coordination and operational support to the Digital Futures Programme in Senegal, helping the Programme Officer and partners deliver results. The role is full time (35 hours per week) on a 24-month fixed-term contract with possible extension, starting around 1 February 2027.

Key responsibilities

• Support communication across the programme, coordinate information flow between the Programme Officer, partners and internal teams, and track workplans, deliverables and deadlines.
• Help prepare, edit and format programme reports and partner submissions, and collect, organise, file documentation and evidence while keeping accurate records.
• Support planning and delivery of workshops, trainings, field activities and stakeholder engagements, including agendas, materials, venue and catering arrangements, and ensure accessibility.
• Provide basic support to partners with budgeting, expenditure tracking, compliance documentation and procurement, in line with organisational policies.
• Collect stories and visibility content ethically, with safeguarding and informed consent, and help draft internal and external communications.
• Identify and escalate operational and contextual risks, and support safeguarding, data protection and do-no-harm principles.

Required profile

• Relevant experience or studies in fields such as social sciences, development studies, human rights, gender studies, information systems, public policy or similar.
• Background in supporting programme or project delivery, with experience of core project management practices (planning, scheduling, budgeting, reporting).
• Ability to travel internationally and locally up to 8-10 weeks per year.
• Experience supporting inclusion, advocacy, livelihoods and/or digital/ICT initiatives, and familiarity with disability inclusion in Senegal.
• Understanding of donor-funded and multi-partner programmes, and experience using assistive technology.
• Written and spoken English skills.

Required skills

• Competence with standard office tools, including Excel.
• Confidence with digital platforms (online meetings, messaging, online forms, social media).
• Strong organisation, coordination and communication skills, able to manage several priorities and deadlines.

Candidates apply through the recruitment portal with a CV and answers to application questions in English; interviews are expected in late December 2026, with a written task and oral interview. Appointment is subject to pre-employment checks.