Volunteer Research and Partnership Associate to Build Pathways Between African Social Entrepreneurs and African Diasporas with Ashoka Global

This is an opportunity to work with an Ashoka Staff This is an unpaid, volunteer opportunityAbout The Affiliated OrganizationFounded in 1980, Ashoka pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship. We are now the largest association of leading social entrepreneurs in the world, a network of 4000 Ashoka Fellows in 93 countries at work creating systemic change on the most pressing social and environmental issues of our time. We find, support and collaborate with our Fellows to help scale their solutions across nations and continents and work with a wide range of partners to create an "Everyone a Changemaker" world, one in which we all can find and develop our power to contribute to meaningful change for the good of all.For more information, please visit Ashoka Innovators for the PublicJob DescriptionWe are looking for a Research and Partnership Associate to help support the Diaspora Philanthropy Pathway, a collaboration between MoFund Africa and Ashoka. It aims to design and pilot mechanisms that channel flexible, accountable capital from the African diaspora to African-founded social enterprises and nonprofits within the Ashoka Fellows network and Africa Impact Academy alumni. Our goal is to convert diaspora intent into durable and predictable giving by building trust, ensuring accountability, and using story-led impact measurement. Ultimately, it seeks to create diaspora-friendly giving instruments and a playbook for pooled diaspora funding mechanisms that can scale across Africa. As our Associate you will:Conduct comparative research on US and intra-Africa diaspora giving behaviors (motivations, trust signals, ticket sizes, reporting expectations). Triangulate data from interviews, literature, donor platforms, and case studies to extract actionable insights. Develop personas, donor journeys, and behavioral archetypes for diaspora givers.Contribute to research briefs, surveys, and validation workshops. Map and engage stakeholders in diaspora philanthropic networks (donor-advised funds, giving circles, corporate foundations). Help organize listening sessions or focus groups to validate findings and product concepts.Document insights and synthesize them into partnership memos. Build a knowledge repository summarizing trust-building and accountability frameworks. Your work is critical and will be highly valued because:It provides evidence-based insights to design effective diaspora giving instruments. It helps validate concepts with real stakeholders, ensuring relevance and adoption. It strengthens trust and accountability frameworks, which are essential for converting intent into action. It contributes to a scalable funding model that can unlock significant resources for African-led social innovation. It positions the collaboration as a thought leader in diaspora philanthropy and African development finance.What This Role OffersA front-row seat in designing the future of African and diaspora philanthropy.Access to MoFund Africa and Ashoka’s global networks and research ecosystem.Opportunity to shape a playbook for pooled diaspora funding mechanisms that can scale across Africa.Recognition as a core contributor in a high-profile collaboration influencing African-led development finance narratives.If you have the skillset defined below, please let us know today if you can help!Volunteer LogisticsEstimated hours required per week: 10 - 20The estimated duration of the project is: 6-12 monthsThis position is Virtual (Remote)Language RequirementsEnglishDesired Skills And ExperienceAcademic & Professional Background: Advanced Degree Or Practical Experience In Philanthropy studies Development finance Social innovationResearch & Analytical Skills Ability to synthesize insights from multiple sources (academic, market, and field data). Strong writing and analytical skills to translate qualitative insights into concise, data-backed narratives.Domain Knowledge Familiarity with philanthropic networks in Africa and the diaspora (e.g., donor-advised funds, community foundations, family offices, giving circles). Understanding of impact measurement, institutional accountability, or MEL systems. Background in social enterprise development, trust-based philanthropy, or diaspora engagement.Relationship & Stakeholder Management Ability to map and engage stakeholders within philanthropic ecosystems. Experience organizing listening sessions, focus groups, or validation workshops. Technical & Behavioral Competencies Self-driven and adaptive in a fast-moving, multi-organization environment. Comfortable with remote collaboration tools and knowledge management systems.