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Ref.
2026/CFCAR/15595

Job offer type
Experts

Type of contract
Fixed-term contract (CDD)

Activity sectors
Culture and heritage

Deadline date
2026/06/22 17:38

Contract
Freelancer

Duration
60 days

Mission description

  1. General Objective:

This assignment is situated within the broader framework of Component 2 of SANKOFA II, which aims to strengthen Ghana’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).

More specifically, it relates to the West Africa Fusion Artist Residency, a high-impact program designed to foster creative collaboration, cultural dialogue and professional development among artists from Ghana and other West African countries.

Each year, the Residency will provide a dynamic platform for creation within one or more of the following sectors: music, fashion, audiovisual and visual arts. The different editions will be guided by a specific theme, exploring a range of topics including but not limited to, cultural heritage, sustainability, and other topics relevant to the region.

The program also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through curated opportunities for technical assistance on crosscutting professional topics, creating platforms for peer learning, capacity building and, where relevant, creative collaboration.

The general objective of this assignment is therefore to support the design and coordination of the next three editions of the West Africa Fusion Residency (2026; 2027; 2028), ensuring its effective implementation and integration within the wider SANKOFA II project, by maximizing synergies with existing intervention areas and activities.

  1. Specific Objectives:

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

●        Support the design of a coherent and contextually relevant West Africa Fusion Artist Residency, aligned with the objectives of the SANKOFA II project;

●        Foster creative collaboration, cultural dialogue and professional development among artists from West Africa;

●        Ensure the integration of  the selected residency thematic area within the Residency framework;

●        Guarantee clarity and transparency in key program components including selection procedures;

●        Promote the visibility and dissemination of the Residency and its results in line with project and donor requirements.

 

  1. Scope of Work

The scope of the assignment covers the provision of technical and coordination expertise for the West Africa Fusion Artist Residency, under Component 2 of the SANKOFA II project.

The expert will work in close collaboration with Expertise France’s field team and alongside other partners and experts mobilized around the Residency’s model.

  1. Tasks to be carried out

A.      Residency Program Design

·       Develop and refine the overall concept, structure, and implementation plan for the Residency;

·       Define the parameters of the identified thematic area in relation to the identified Cultural and Creative Industry sectors;

·       Design the sequencing of activities, including key milestones and deliverables for participating artists.

                                            

B.      Residency Participants’ Selection

·       Advise on the eligibility criteria, application guidelines and selection methodology for participant selection;

·       Assist with outreaches to potential applicants across West Africa, ensuring special focus on youth and women;

·       Support the identification of relevant experts for the establishment of a selection committee to assess selected applications.

 

C.       Artistic Development and Capacity Building

·       Facilitate structured opportunities for capacity building for participating artists, including technical and professional development activities;

·       Identify relevant mobility opportunities for participating artists, including exchanges, showcases and networking at regional and international levels, with particular consideration for opportunities within Africa and where relevant, Europe.

 

D.      Visibility and Reporting

·       Define expected Residency outputs and propose formats for showcasing;

·       Develop recommendations for visibility and dissemination of the residency outputs and results;

·       Contribute to the development and monitoring of indicators to track progress and results;

·       Produce reporting on implementation, outputs and lessons learned to inform future editions of the residency.

 

  1. Anticipated Deliverables

Deliverables

Description

Deadline

Estimated Days

Residency Framework Design Proposal

Comprehensive design document for the West Africa Fusion Artist Residency, including the following:

·       Residency concept and structure

·       Thematic focus

·       Implementation plan

·       Residency activity schedule

·       Capacity Building Approach including mobility opportunities

·       Expected outputs

·       Monitoring framework

·       Participant Selection procedure

·       Communication and visibility plan  

T + 30 

30 days

Selection Procedure Coordination and Reporting

Implementation of the participant selection procedure for the residency program including:

·       Coordination of the selection committee

·       Documentation of the selection process, including the submission of a final participant selection report

T + 40

10 days

Residency Coordination and Final Report

Coordination of the residency program implementation, including:

·       Support to participating artists

·       Oversight of residency activities and outputs

·       Coordination with project stakeholders

This deliverable will also include the submission of a final report documenting activities undertaken, results achieved, challenges encountered and recommendations for future editions.

T + 60

20 days

 

Project or context description

Project’s summary

SANKOFA II is an ambitious multi-sectoral initiative designed to contribute to Ghana’s sustainable cultural and economic development by strengthening the country’s cultural heritage management and boosting its Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). Building on the achievements of the first SANKOFA project, this second phase aligns with Ghana’s national strategies (National Tourism Development Plan, Creative Arts Strategic Framework, Digital Ghana Agenda) and directly contributes to EU priorities in West Africa (Global Gateway, Digital for Development Hub, Youth Action Plan).

SANKOFA II addresses the structural challenges facing Ghana’s rich but underexploited heritage sector, including limited institutional capacity, outdated legal frameworks, and insufficient documentation, while unlocking the economic and social potential of CCIs in areas such as music, fashion, film, animation, and digital content creation.

The project’s general objective is to promote sustainable heritage tourism and cultural economic growth in Ghana. It does so through two main components:

  • Component 1 (Cultural Heritage): Enhancing heritage conservation and management, making Ghana’s heritage more accessible and understandable for diverse audiences;
  • Component 2 (Cultural & Creatives Industries): Supporting innovation, inclusion, and professionalization in the creative industries, with a special focus on youth and women.

Key activities include:

  • Capacity-building for public institutions such as the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) and other relevant institutions;
  • Development of technical documentation and digital tools (Arch Lab, 3D scans, VR content) to safeguard and showcase built heritage;
  • Support for sustainable and inclusive cultural events (festivals in music, fashion, film, animation, literature, visual arts etc.);
  • Professional training, international mobility, and networking opportunities for artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural operators;
  • A crosscutting commitment to gender equality, environmental responsibility, digital transformation, and community participation.

Expected specific objectives (outcomes) include:

  • Ghanaian heritage is more accessible and comprehensible through improved conservation efforts, increased valorization, and wider dissemination to diverse audiences, ensuring equitable access and engagement of all genders;
  • Ghanaian cultural actors, especially women, strengthen their professional skills and expand their professional networks.

SANKOFA II is implemented by Expertise France, in close cooperation with national institutions, local creative operators, civil society, and European and regional partners. With a total budget of €2.5 million over 36 months, the project exemplifies Team Europe’s integrated approach, using culture as a driver of inclusive growth, international dialogue, and shared heritage preservation.

Project’s context

Ghana has a rich cultural and architectural heritage, including historical sites, traditional buildings, and a dynamic creative sector. However, this potential remains underutilized due to structural challenges such as weak institutional capacity, limited documentation and digitalization, restricted access, and insufficient integration of culture into development and tourism policies.

The country is home to two UNESCO World Heritage categories: historic forts and castles along the coast, and traditional Ashanti buildings. Despite this, the tourism sector faces issues such as limited training, weak governance, outdated legislation, and insufficient community involvement.

At the same time, Ghana’s Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are rapidly growing and contributed about 2.5% of GDP in 2024, with potential to reach 5% through exports. These industries, such as music, fashion, film, and visual arts, offer strong opportunities for job creation, especially for youth. However, they face challenges including limited access to financing, fragmented support systems, and inadequate infrastructure.

To address these issues, initiatives like the SANKOFA I project (2021–2022) strengthened research, education, and professional capacity in heritage and tourism. Its successor, SANKOFA II, aims to further structure the heritage sector while integrating and supporting CCIs.

SANKOFA II aligns with Ghana’s national strategies (culture policy, tourism development plan, creative arts framework, and digital agenda) and with EU priorities, including digitalization, youth employment, and sustainable development.  

Required profile

I.                    Required expertise and profile

Ghanaian-based curatorial expert

●        Proven experience in artistic curation and program development in one or more of the following fields: music, fashion, audiovisual and visual arts;

●        Demonstrated experience in implementing multidisciplinary artistic programs, residencies or similar initiatives involving artists;

●        Strong knowledge of Ghana’s cultural and creative sector, as well as contemporary artistic and creative practices across the West African region;

●        Established professional networks and demonstrated experience engaging artists, cultural institutions, and creative industry stakeholders in Ghana and across West Africa;

●        Ability to translate artistic vision into structured, feasible and results-oriented programmatic frameworks;

●        Strong organizational, coordination and project management skills;

●        Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of French is highly desirable and will be considered an asset;

●        Experience working on donor-funded programs and international cooperation projects is an advantage.

 

Additional information

  1. Coordination

A.      Follow-Up

Ms. Clara PINHEDE, Project Manager of the SANKOFA II project, will serve as the main focal point for this assignment, and the expert’s contact person for Expertise France.

Email: clara.pinhede@expertisefrance.fr

B.      Process

The assignment will be implemented through an iterative and collaborative process with the Expertise France field team. It will begin with a review of contextual documents and consultations, to ensure a shared understanding of the objectives, scope and expected outcomes of the residency.

Based on this, the curator will develop a residency framework defining the vision, thematic focus and overall implementation approach, which will be refined through exchanges with the field team and relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with SANKOFA II priorities.

The implementation will follow a phased approach, with regular coordination and technical meetings to validate key components and adjust where necessary.  

 

I.                    Place, Duration and terms of performance (Indicative)

  1. Implementation period: July – December 2026
  2. Expected Start date: July 2026
  3. Expected End date: December 2026

 

II.                Practical Information for Submission

The expert is required to submit both a technical and financial proposal no later than June 22nd 2026 at 23:59 GMT, including the following elements:

●        A methodological note (2 - 3 pages maximum) outlining the understanding of the assignment and the proposed approach

●        The CV of the expert involved in the assignment

●        A detailed budget corresponding to the different phases of the assignment

Proposals (technical and financial) should be submitted to the following email address: clara.pinhede@expertisefrance.fr

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

●        Technical proposal (70%)

○        Qualifications and experience of the experts (40%)

○        Quality and relevance of the methodological approach (30%)

●        Financial Proposal (30%)

○        Cost-effectiveness and coherence of the proposed budget in relation to the assignment’s level of effort and deliverables

 

About Expertise France

Expertise France is an inter-ministerial agency in charge of international technical cooperation and is the second largest in Europe, with 51% of its funding coming from the European Union. As a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD) Group, it designs and implements projects aimed at strengthening public policies in key development sectors such as governance, security, climate change, health, education, and more.

With a business volume of €324 million in 2021 and a portfolio of over 350 projects across 100 countries, Expertise France has extensive experience in developing technical cooperation projects in private sector development, particularly in supporting public-private dialogue, regional integration, and public-private partnerships. Mandated by partner countries and donors, Expertise France recruits specialized experts for each project to mobilize the appropriate expertise for each mission.

 

Deadline for application : 2026/06/22 17:38

Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :

  • democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
  • peace, stability, and security ;
  • climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
  • health and human development ;

In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results. 

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